Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Celine Ebert. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Celine, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Growing up in an all-girls school environment, I always understood the power of female education and its endless potential for shaping the lives of women. During the COVID-19 lockdown, with nothing else to do at home, I started reading the news. I immediately got hooked on all the stories about the stock market. At the time, the news was filled with various world events related to the economy, and I was honestly a little shocked that I couldn’t understand them well. I realized that even though I was only a middle schooler, I wanted to be knowledgeable about the world around me. I wanted to ensure that in the future, when it came time for me to make decisions, I would be informed enough to make them wisely.
Over the course of the summer and the following year, I spent my days reading endlessly and experimenting with a small investment account my mother had created for me. This small hobby grew into a passion. However, when I finally got out of lockdown and tried to discuss the new concepts and news I had learned with my peers, I realized they didn’t have the same understanding. In schools, there has always been an emphasis on traditional education like math, English, and science. What was missing from our everyday lives was the opportunity to be globally and financially educated. After doing more research, I discovered a significant financial literacy gap for women and realized I wanted to be part of the change to address it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Entering my freshman year of high school, I realized that I wanted to be part of the change to help empower young women in financial literacy. One of my peers and I founded Emporio, an organization dedicated to empowering women in financial literacy and business. The organization started as an annual publication written by seven girls and distributed to our classmates. We shared stories about the latest business news, financial literacy concepts, and more. The publication received immediate and positive feedback from the community, later gaining recognition from Columbia University and receiving a Silver Crown from the Scholastic Press Association, one of the highest honors for a student publication in the country. It was so rewarding to see the joy and success of the magazine after all our hard work developing it.
Recognizing the impact the team was making in the Hockaday community, I wanted to share our financial literacy resources with the broader Dallas community and beyond. From the initial publication, Emporio has developed various resources to empower women in financial literacy. What amazes me the most is how all our team members are so self-motivated and willing to help out whenever needed. Each of the girls on our team reached out to me individually, wanting to be part of the movement to empower women in financial literacy. Each of them is unique in their own way and brings their own element of expertise and talent to our projects. It is so fulfilling to have such a dedicated team of young women working to lift up other women.
Every two weeks, our team releases a newsletter specifically tailored to benefit women in financial literacy. All the members who subscribe to our publication receive the newsletter in their inbox every Monday morning for convenience. We also produce a weekly video series tailored more around young women. It teaches financial concepts in a simplistic way so that beginners feel comfortable watching the videos and can really take away something educational. Additionally, we host a monthly podcast, “Let’s Get Down to Business,” where the team explores the intricacies of the business world by interviewing influential women in the field. Besides our digital financial literacy resources, our team has been developing a financial literacy curriculum, which we hope to implement in local Dallas schools in the upcoming school year. We have been working hard to organize financial literacy kits for children, including toys, worksheets, and more, to be distributed locally as well.
What started as an annual publication has grown into an organization with readership in over eight states and twelve countries. Emporio’s financial literacy resources have accumulated over 20,000 media impressions this year alone and have reached over 4,200 women and children. One of the most rewarding aspects of Emporio is the opportunity to work closely with local nonprofits. Recently, we have partnered with local Dallas women’s and homeless shelters to distribute our financial literacy resources. We look forward to continuing to expand our impact around the country and globally!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The first quality that is imperative is the ability to take risks and be okay with rejection and failure. When I was younger, I used to be scared to ask for something because I was worried I would be told no. However, I realized that if I never took risks when leading Emporio or reached out to someone uncertain about collaboration, I would never make progress. Experiencing rejection makes you more comfortable with it, and as you become more comfortable with rejection, you take more risks. In the long term, the risks you take and the new things you try will benefit you.
Additionally, learning from each failure is crucial. Each rejection or setback offers a valuable lesson, helping refine your approach and strategies. Embracing failure as part of the growth process enables you to build resilience and adaptability, which are essential traits for any leader. The more you step out of your comfort zone, the more you discover new opportunities and innovative solutions, ultimately driving your personal and professional development forward.
Lastly, one of the most important skills for a leader is the ability to work and learn with others. Collaboration is essential for success. To create something that has a large impact, you need to be able to use the support systems around you to accomplish your goals. Never be afraid to ask for help or advice. Having different perspectives on an issue encourages you to develop your thinking and collaboration skills. Moreover, effective collaboration fosters a sense of community and shared purpose, which can significantly enhance the quality and reach of your work. By engaging with others, you can pool diverse skills and knowledge, leading to more innovative and comprehensive solutions. This collective effort not only accelerates progress but also creates a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and motivated. Embracing collaboration means recognizing that the best outcomes often arise from the combined efforts of a dedicated and diverse team.
I think the biggest takeaway for anyone who wants to develop these skills as a leader is to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Experiment, meet new people, try something new. All of these experiences will allow you to develop your understanding of what it means to be a leader. Continuously seek feedback and be open to learning from others. Leadership is a journey of constant growth, and the willingness to embrace change and challenge yourself will set you on the path to success.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I think the Emporio team has been able to work very closely with one another to help overcome any obstacles or challenges within our organization. The environment is highly collaborative, and everyone is willing to support their team members. This creates a productive atmosphere where we can all build upon one another’s strengths. Working with different people allows you to gain unique perspectives on issues. I am very grateful to have such a committed team always looking to find new ways to empower women in financial literacy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theemporioorg.com/
- Instagram: emporio_org
- Youtube: @EmporioPublication-cw1jf
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
