Changemakers: The Financial Innovators Who Will Expand Your Wealth-Building Options

Remember when online banking was "too risky"? When investing through apps seemed "unsafe"? When cryptocurrency was "just a fad"? Every financial innovation that's now mainstream was once considered experimental by most people—except for a small group of early adopters who were willing to test the waters. These are your Changemakers, and they're essential members of your Financial A-Team.

What Are Changemakers?

Changemakers are the early adopters, innovators, and forward-thinking individuals who explore new financial strategies, test emerging investment options, and push the boundaries of traditional wealth-building approaches. They're comfortable with higher risk tolerance and enjoy experimenting with cutting-edge financial tools and concepts.

Key characteristics:

• They embrace new financial technologies and strategies

• They have higher risk tolerance than average investors

• They research and test emerging financial opportunities

• They think about the future of money and wealth building

• They're willing to share their experiences—both successes and failures

Why Every Woman Needs Changemakers on Her Financial A-Team

They Expand Your Options

Without Changemakers, you'd be limited to the same wealth-building strategies your parents and grandparents used. These innovators help expand the menu of financial opportunities available to all of us.

They Test the Waters First

Rather than jumping into every new financial trend yourself, you can learn from Changemakers who've already experimented. They take the initial risks and share the lessons learned.

They Keep You Current

Financial markets and opportunities evolve rapidly. Changemakers help you stay informed about new developments without requiring you to research everything yourself.

They Challenge Traditional Thinking

They might introduce you to concepts like:

• Alternative investments beyond stocks and bonds

• New business models and revenue streams

• Innovative real estate strategies

• Emerging technologies that could impact wealth building

• Global investment opportunities

What Changemakers Bring to Your Financial Journey

Early Insights on Financial Innovations

• Cryptocurrency and blockchain investments before they became mainstream

• Real estate crowdfunding platforms when they first launched

• Robo-advisors and investing apps in their early stages

• Alternative lending platforms for both borrowing and investing

• New business models like the gig economy or creator economy

Different Risk Management Strategies

They might approach risk differently than traditional advisors:

• Diversifying across asset classes you haven't considered

• Using technology to automate and optimize investments

• Exploring international markets and currencies

• Testing new insurance and protection strategies

Future-Forward Thinking

They consider questions like:

• How will artificial intelligence change investing?

• What opportunities exist in the growing feminine economy?

• How might remote work trends affect real estate investments?

• What new business models are emerging that women could capitalize on?

Types of Changemakers

The Tech-Forward Investor

This person embraces financial technology and often experiments with:

• New investing platforms and apps

• Cryptocurrency and digital assets

• Automated investing and rebalancing tools

• Online business platforms and monetization strategies

The Alternative Investment Explorer

They look beyond traditional stocks, bonds, and real estate:

• Peer-to-peer lending

• Art, collectibles, or other tangible assets

• Private equity or venture capital opportunities

• Commodities or precious metals

• International markets

The Business Model Innovator

They explore new ways of generating income:

• Creator economy opportunities (courses, coaching, digital products)

• Gig economy optimization strategies

• Passive income through digital assets

• Location-independent business models

• Monetizing expertise in new ways

The Future Economy Thinker

They consider long-term trends and their financial implications:

• Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing

• Impact investing aligned with values

• Demographic shifts and investment opportunities

• Technology disruption and its financial effects

• Global economic trends and positioning

How to Learn From Changemakers

You Don't Have to Follow Their Path

This is crucial: you can learn from Changemakers without adopting their strategies. They provide valuable information and perspective that can inform your decisions, even if you choose more conservative approaches.

Example: A Diverse Thinker might share their experience investing in NFTs. Even if you're not ready for an NFT, you might learn:

• How they research new investment opportunities

• Their risk management strategies

• Their approach to allocating a small percentage to experimental investments

• Warning signs they watch for in emerging markets

Ask the Right Questions

When learning from Changemakers:

• "What made you decide to try this investment/strategy?"

• "How much of your portfolio do you allocate to experimental investments?"

• "What research process do you use for new opportunities?"

• "What have you learned from investments that didn't work out?"

• "How do you balance innovation with financial security?"

Focus on Principles, Not Just Tactics

Instead of copying their exact investments, learn their principles:

• How they evaluate risk versus reward

• Their research and due diligence process

• How they set boundaries on experimental investments

• Their approach to continuous learning

• How they separate emotions from investment decisions

Finding Changemakers

Where to Look:

• Online investment communities and forums

• Financial technology meetups and conferences

• Entrepreneurship groups and startup communities

• Real estate investment clubs that discuss innovative strategies

• Social media accounts focused on financial innovation

• Podcast communities around investing and business

• Professional associations in emerging industries

What to Look For:

• People who share both successes and failures openly

• Those who research thoroughly before investing

• Individuals who can explain their reasoning clearly

• People who maintain perspective on risk

• Those who stay curious and continue learning

Red Flags: When Diverse Thinking Becomes Dangerous

Avoid Changemakers Who:

• Promise guaranteed returns on "secret" investments

• Pressure you to invest immediately without time for research

• Only share successes and never mention failures or risks

• Seem to jump from trend to trend without strategic thinking

• Can't explain their reasoning in understandable terms

• Encourage you to invest money you can't afford to lose

Warning Signs of Poor Risk Management:

• Putting all or most of their wealth into experimental investments

• Borrowing money to fund speculative investments

• Making investment decisions based purely on emotion or FOMO

• Ignoring basic financial fundamentals like freedom funds (a better name for emergency funds)

• Being secretive about their actual results

How to Work With Changemakers Safely

Set Clear Boundaries

• Decide what percentage of your wealth you're comfortable allocating to experimental strategies

• Establish your risk tolerance before exploring new opportunities

• Maintain your core financial foundation (emergency fund, retirement savings, insurance)

Do Your Own Research

Never invest in something just because a Changemaker recommends it:

• Research the opportunity independently

• Understand the risks involved

• Consider how it fits with your overall financial goals

• Consult with your Specialists and other Financial A-Team people for perspective

Start Small

If you decide to try something new:

• Begin with an amount you can afford to lose completely

• Treat it as an education expense initially

• Scale up only after you understand the investment thoroughly

• Keep detailed records for learning purposes

Maintain Perspective

Remember that Changemakers often have:

• Higher risk tolerance than average investors

• More time to research and manage complex investments

• Financial cushions that allow for experimental investing

• Different financial goals than yours

The Value Changemakers Bring to Women

They Challenge Gender-Based Financial Assumptions

Traditional financial advice often assumes women are more risk-averse or less interested in innovative investments. Changemakers can help you:

• Explore opportunities aligned with your actual risk tolerance

• Consider investments that reflect your values and interests

• Challenge limiting beliefs about what women "should" invest in

They Highlight Opportunities in Growing Markets

Many Changemakers focus on emerging opportunities that could particularly benefit women:

• The creator economy and monetizing expertise

• ESG and impact investing

• Remote work and location-independent income

• Women-focused investment opportunities

They Normalize Financial Innovation

By sharing their experiences, Changemakers help normalize the idea that women can be sophisticated, innovative investors who aren't limited to "safe" traditional investments.

Learning From Failures Too

One of the most valuable aspects of Changemakers is their willingness to share what didn't work:

• Investment platforms that failed

• Market timing mistakes

• Due diligence they wish they'd done differently

• Warning signs they missed

• Recovery strategies after losses

These failure stories are often more educational than success stories because they help you avoid similar mistakes.

The Long-Term Impact of Changemakers

Historical Perspective

Consider how Changemakers have expanded financial options over time:

• Early adopters of index fund investing

• Women who started online businesses in the early internet days

• Early real estate investors who used creative financing

• Women who built careers in emerging tech industries

Future Opportunities

Today's Changemakers might be exploring:

• Artificial intelligence and automation opportunities

• Sustainable and impact investing

• Global remote work arbitrage

• Creator economy monetization

• Demographic trend investing

Creating Your Own Diverse Thinking

As you learn from others, consider developing your own innovative approaches:

• Research emerging trends in your industry

• Consider how demographic or technological changes might create opportunities

• Explore ways to monetize your unique skills or knowledge

• Think creatively about solving financial challenges

The Ripple Effect

When women embrace financial innovation thoughtfully:

• We expand the range of choices for women

• We create demand for financial products that serve our needs

• We model sophisticated investing for the next generation

• We contribute to closing the gender wealth gap through diversified strategies

Remember: Changemakers expand your options—they don't make your decisions. Use their insights to inform your choices while maintaining your own financial discipline and risk management.

The future of wealth building includes opportunities we haven't imagined yet. By including Changemakers in your Financial A-Team, you ensure you'll be aware of these opportunities when they align with your goals and risk tolerance.

Ready to connect with financial innovators who can expand your wealth-building horizons? Join a community where new ideas are shared, tested experiences are discussed, and financial innovation is explored thoughtfully and safely. Each month, The Pledgettes brings in an outside speaker to share their favorite money topic. We also have 100+ Webinars-On-Demand from past speakers.