EDITOR’S NOTE:
Jennifer Welsh demystifies the stock market for new investors on LinkedIn, where she was recently named a Top Voice in Finance. She’s an excellent writer.
She’s also the founder of Money School, which empowers successful women to take control of their finances.
In this 474-word micro-interview, Jennifer shares:
How to be a better teacher…
A “hauntingly accurate” book with practical applications…
Why knowledge and skills aren’t enough when starting a business…
And more…
Enjoy!
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Thank you, Jennifer.
Let’s get started.
1) “What’s your work routine?”
My routine isn't anything but routine.
80% of my work is writing. I publish on LinkedIn. I write a weekly newsletter about stock market investing. And I write a weekly newsletter to our A&I Community. It's a lot of writing.
But I'm terrible at writing on demand. I can sit down with all the intention — and the crickets start chirping. Then I'll get ideas in the shower, at the grocery store, when I'm cooking dinner, when I'm driving. I'm always brainstorming, and I stop to write when something hits me.
My production schedule is pretty unconventional.
2) “What do you know about your work now that you wish you’d known when you first started?”
If you don't love the work, it won't work.
I've started two companies so far. The second time around has been much better than the first. Like night and day.
I started the first company because I had experience I thought I should monetize. But I wasn't really excited about what the work was. I just figured I should keep going in the direction where I had the most professional experience. It was a lame and unfulfilling time in my life.
Then I pivoted in 2020, and started teaching people how to get into the stock market. I turned a personal passion into a job, by accident really. And I couldn't be more thrilled about the work I do now.
You have to REALLY love what you do to make a business idea work.
3) “What did your biggest professional failure teach you?”
Knowledge and skills are good to have. But you gotta be able to talk about your craft to the right people, at the right time, in the right place, in a way that makes them want to listen. Communication is underrated.
4) “What’s the #1 thing that has helped you shorten your craft’s learning curve?”
My craft is teaching people about money. I teach through writing and coaching. At first, I think I dumped too much information on people. I was a lil too excited.
I became a better teacher when I focused on listening instead of talking. By listening better, I can meet people where they are. And when I do a good job listening, I find that people will tell me what they need. And a lot of times, it's not what they thought they needed. Funny how that works.
5) “What book has helped you the most over your career?”
Strengths Finder by Tom Rath.
An old boss gifted it to me when I was feeling lost in my career. It just blew me away, in a refreshing, aha kind of way. Hauntingly accurate with practical applications. Should be required reading for everyone.
6) “And your parting piece of advice?”
Define your top three priorities, and get exactly what you want. For everything else, be frugal.
