For all the talk of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, Wall Street remains a boys’ club, specifically a white boys’ club. But that didn’t faze Lauren Simmons, host of the Money Moves podcast, when she landed her first job on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in 2017.
Dubbed “the Wolfette of Wall Street,” Lauren was the youngest person ever to be an equity trader at NYSE and only the second Black woman to hold the position. At 23, Lauren wasn’t sure she knew enough about capital markets, but she was sure her curiosity would help her learn what she needed to know.
“Even though I was in a room with 250 men – 248 of them being white – I had allies. I had people that were championing me and wanting me to be successful and wanting me to be good in my role,” Lauren says.
In her talks and podcasts, Lauren helps others see how curiosity about money can help them shift their money mindset and make better financial decisions. Her forthcoming book, Mind Body Money: A Guide to Financial Wellness, is slated to be published by HarperCollins in fall 2023.
In today’s episode, Ana and Jamie talk with Lauren about her journey from genetics major to equity trader, how to find allies in the workplace, how to face insecurities and say yes to opportunities and how to stay curious.
Key Takeaways
- Instead of planning out each detail, be curious and see where life takes you.
- With more people of color and women taking on leadership roles in finance, the industry is starting to reflect the rest of the country. That inspires others to think they too can play a role.
- Entrepreneurs should expect to hear “no.” Don’t let those setbacks shake your determination.
Quote
“Doing the work of figuring out who you are and being comfortable in your skin and understanding what you will compromise on, and what you won’t compromise on helps position you to know what your brand is.” – Lauren Simmons
Links
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