Victoria Younan, founder of Future Fortunes Academy. (Credit: Courtesy of Future Fortunes Academy)
She’s Teaching Kids Financial Literacy
Victoria Younan is the founder of Future Fortunes Academy, a company making flashcards for children that help them learn about money management.
When Victoria Younan became a mother to two small children, she knew she wanted to work from home in order to spend more time with her family. Younan comes from, as she puts it, “a very entrepreneurial family” so the idea of starting her own business was always within her. The Ontario, Canada-based mompreneur found herself thinking about ways that parents could effectively teach their children about financial literacy – as she wished to do for her own kids – when a business idea came to her: Flashcards for kids that help them learn all about all things financial. That seed grew into Future Fortunes Academy. Today, Younan’s flashcards are teaching youngsters near and far about investing, budgeting, credit, debt and other financial products through easy-to-understand, handheld lessons.
Here’s our lightly edited Q&A, from The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project.
How is your business different from others in your industry?
There are a lot of products on the market teaching teenagers – our focus is kids ages 11 to 14. We want this younger group to understand the impact of their financial choices. By 18, they will have access to various financial products, and they’ll need to know how to use them wisely.
Tell us about your biggest success so far.
I was able to secure a business loan this year so that I could grow our sales opportunities. Yet while financial success is important to me, my children and their success in life is more important, and serves as a reflection of my own success as a mother.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
I threw myself into starting my business with the encouragement of my family, but I don’t have a business background. Before this, I hated getting out of my comfort zone, and was uncomfortable with putting my thoughts, ideas and opinions out there. Now, I have to make calls and send messages that can feel vulnerable and scary. I read a lot of books to encourage myself to take those leaps. It has been like immersion therapy, because the more I do things I don’t want to, the less intimidating they become.
What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs?
Worry less about everything being perfect and be very aware of cash flow. If you can make do without something, save the cash until you are on your feet and have steady revenue
How do you find inspiration on your darkest days?
I spend time with my kids. They brighten up every moment for me, and remind me that I can push through.
What is your go-to song to get motivated on tough days?
Pretty much anything by Taylor Swift. Currently, it’s “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart.”
Who is your most important role model?
My brother. He has such an entrepreneurial spirit – he leaps into things he is passionate about, and sees them through.
Instagram: @FutureFortunesAcademy
Facebook: @FutureFortunesAcademy
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