Teaching Finance, Getting Schooled

When you think You’re the teacher..

We started Gripdough with a simple but powerful mission: to spread financial literacy among the underserved—to give everyone a seat at the finance table. An equal platform, where the same tools and techniques used by professionals are made accessible to all. To walk that talk, I earned a Wealth Manager certification—not for the title, but to understand what really goes on behind the curtain in the world of finance. My goal was to pass that knowledge on to people who often don’t have the same access.

So I showed up—slides in hand, games prepped, jokes ready—thinking I was there to teach women and kids about money. But after nearly eight sessions with these incredible women and curious kids, I learned something profound: I may have walked in as the teacher, but it’s they—the women with their doubts and dreams, the kids with their wild questions and wide-open hearts—who ended up teaching me the most.

And wow, does that humble you. It reminds you that money isn’t just a tool. It’s not just something to earn, invest, and grow. It’s a mindset. One that can be nurtured, encouraged, and shaped—but never truly taught. Not in the traditional sense, anyway.

Money. Mindset. Sisterhood.

I’ll never forget my very first session with the very first batch of women. In my excitement to share all the trade secrets, I unintentionally went full turbo mode—slide dumps, checklists galore, worksheets flying everywhere. Honestly? It probably felt more like a high school calculus class than an empowering finance session. But then something beautiful happened. One brave soul shared a financial “war wound.” That moment of vulnerability cracked something open—in the best way. One by one, each woman began to open up. Stories flowed, laughter echoed, and a quiet sisterhood began to form in that space.

And oh, the ripple effect. By the next session, something had shifted. Their energy was different—brighter, bolder. Even though we were covering just the basics of investing, you could see the gears turning: “Hey, this stuff? I can learn this.” Suddenly, complex charts didn’t look so intimidating. Portfolio strategies felt within reach. Talking about money became normal—even exciting. But the real magic? Peer learning and support. Watching these women cheer each other on like they were Olympic athletes—every win, every tiny portfolio green—became a cause for celebration. No competition, just pure encouragement.

That’s when I knew: this isn’t just about numbers. This is about belonging. And when women find their financial tribe, they don’t just grow their money—they grow their confidence, their voice, and their independence.

Next-Gen Investor, First-rate Drive

Mentorship was never a part of the original GripDough roadmap. But like all the best things in life, it showed up unplanned and totally changed the game. I met my teenage mentee a few months ago – curious, observant and already asking questions that even seasoned investors tiptoe around. What began as a handful sessions on stock markets soon morphed into a full-blown mentorship journey that honestly reignited my energy.

Picture this: A sleepy Saturday afternoon, I’m halfway to napping and here she is- bright-eyed, note-ready and asking for more stock analysis homework. If that’s not peak Gen-Z hustle, I dont know what is.

She started off wanting to understand stock markets, but now she is now a confident investor in Indian equities, and is prepping her entry into US portfolio and she is actively contributes to GripDough’ s mission. She helped create Financial Literacy games for kids, and is very keen on helping to build resources for our workshops in rural India. She is even heading out there for a real-time immersion into cultural and industry pulse of the Indian market. At fifteen.

And here’s the part I say with a full heart and goosebumps: I’m so impressed with her drive, her curiosity and her sharp mind that she’s now officially GripDough’ s first intern. We are already cooking up something special – GripDough Teen – her brainchild, her space, her platform to lead. It’s all in early stages, but the buzz? Oh, it’s real. And it’s electric.

Mentoring her reminded me of something profound: Teenagers aren’t just the future. They are the now. When you give them access, encouragement, and a little room to explore, they rise. They lead. They build. And in doing so, they lift the rest of us right alongside them.

Little Investors, Big Impact

The kids’ session totally took me by surprise—in the best way possible. The idea for our Young Investors Workshop was planted when my 7-year-old daughter looked up at me one day and asked, “What do you have to study to become a stock-marketer, Mama? Can you teach me?”. And just like that, the seed was sown.
We pulled together a kids’ finance journal, flashcards, some play money, and nervously launched our first session for a bunch of energetic 8- to 10-year-olds. Honestly, we were a little terrified! But within minutes, we were gobsmacked. These kids were already incredibly money-smart… they just didn’t know it yet.

Their natural instinct? To give—rather than save or spend. Heartwarmingly surprising.

Their questions?
Wildly honest, deeply thoughtful, and sometimes laugh-out-loud brilliant:

Why does money not grow in Insurance?
What happens when a grandpa dies with a huge debt?
Why should I pay interest?
Can I charge $1 for washing dishes? (Her mom later said no, but we admire the negotiation attempt!)

They loved the investment super heroes. Chore-based allowances turned into real-life economics experiments. They became confident negotiators, joyfully journaling their money thoughts- and somewhere along the way, they sparked a summer camp idea in our GripDough team. Their natural optimism, curiosity and fearless spirit reminded us why we do what we do. If this is what the next generation of investors look like, the future is in very safe(and sticky-fingered) hands!

What I’ve Learned (And What’s Next)

Here’s the thing: Financial literacy has never just been about rupees, dollars, or stocks.
It’s about dignity. Confidence. Community.

And the biggest lesson I’ve learned?
“Not knowing” is never the problem.
Not having a safe space to ask—that’s the real blocker.

Give kids the language, and they’ll teach you things you never saw coming.
Give women the tools, and they’ll build empires—quietly at first, and then all at once.
We don’t need more judgment—we need more joy in the way we talk about money. And we need more of this.

What’s Coming Up

An online version of the kids’ course is on the way! Think: Kahoot games, real-life money missions, and hilarious challenges that teach while they tickle brains.
More workshops for women, because let’s face it—we’ve only just begun.
And our teen investor track? That’s a whole new project in the works… powered by one incredibly motivated 15-year-old who’s rewriting the rules.

Sign-Off:- With Gratitude (and a whole lotta Hope)

We started Gripdough thinking financial literacy was the goal. Turns out, it’s the climb that makes it richer. The questions, the conversations, the quiet confidence that builds with every “aha” moment.

We’re learning together, growing together—and yes, sometimes stumbling together too. But every step forward is proof that change is happening.And honestly? That keeps us going.

We’ve only scratched the surface. But if this is what the beginning looks like… I can’t wait to see what’s next!