On Women & Wealth

by Bethany Stephens

Last year, I attended the inaugural Women Demystifying Money event in Bentonville, conceptualized and emceed by my fabulous friend Iffy Ibekwe and her partners in crime.

The day was packed with conversations around real estate investing, income properties, financial strategies, giving strategies and related topics... and it had my wheels turning.

Women in finance are still the exception rather than the rule, and yet they're the majority in the field of real estate. And conversations about money can still feel taboo for women.

Not long before the WDM event, Iffy had asked me to jump in last minute to facilitate a conversation she was hosting at Blake Street House about that same topic. The room was packed with women in various stages of navigating divorce and finances on their own, switching careers or finding their footing with investing.

I'm not a finance professional, but I have navigated those topics and continue to do so... and I find myself wanting to continue to better understand all nuances of money. How do I best earn it, save it, invest it and wield it wisely?

My friend and real estate colleague Stephanie Funk and I just had this conversation: we are interested in making money. So how do we talk about our desire to make money while keeping our own moral and ethical compass pointed in the right direction (and not feel icky)?

We want to strategize and learn with other women.

So... we're doing Women, Wine* and Wealth.

Join us at Ramo d'Olivo in downtown Bentonville for wine (or dealcoholized options) and conversations around money every other month.

We'll take a few minutes to say hi and share a conversation starter topic, but no formal program. We'll go Dutch treat... so bring a friend, order a glass or two and go sharesies (very prudent, very mindful) on an app.

Be sure to RSVP so we can make the necessary arrangements with Ramo. We'll send you a planner and reminder.