My Story

is one of resilience, love, and transformation

Have you ever faced a challenge that pushed you to grow in ways you never imagined?

My journey began in a southern Italian city. In the promising wave of the 80s, as personal computers started emerging, my dad became an early adopter. However innovation comes with its own set of uncertainties. By the time I was 8, our world was flipped upside down by financial turmoil, leading to my father’s company’s bankruptcy. This downturn meant I had to stand on my own feet carving out a path with no safety nets. Later, life dealt another profound blow: my brother was diagnosed with cancer. It was devastating. Yet, these harrowing moments sculpted the resilience and fortitude that now define my character.

I learned early that financial freedom wasn't about luxury. It was about having choices.

Yet, it was not just these hardships but the love and strength of my beautiful family that drove my resilience. Their support, combined with my relentless drive, won me a scholarship to study finance in one of Europe's top universities. This wasn't merely a testament to my academic prowess but the culmination of hard work, sacrifices, and an unwavering commitment to secure a brighter future for my loved ones. The journey was a blend of sweat, tears, and laughter. Working through my teenage years and university wasn't just a means to an end, but a voyage of self-discovery and empowerment. As a university student, I counted pennies, ensuring I had enough to pay for my groceries. Each shift I clocked in was a step towards not only supporting my family but also sculpting a robust future. The essence of hard work transcended the pages of textbooks, manifesting in the reality of overcoming life's hurdles. 

In the pulsating heart of London, I ventured into investment banking. It was here that I confronted the unsettling reality of the corporate world: the pervasive gender pay gap in a super competitive environment.

I still remember a crisp morning, as I walked into the sprawling office adorned with glass and steel, when I heard a conversation with a male colleague – he was younger, in the same role as me, and less experienced…. yet his paycheck was bigger than mine. There I was, standing in the middle of the gender pay gap. I was a living breathing example of it. 

Most of the time loyalty is not rewarded according to a Stanford study, and you end up earning way more by switching jobs rather than asking for a raise where you are.

Every late night in the office became a memory of what I missed outside – the taste of a home-cooked meal, laughs with friends, and watching the sunset. My body became so burnt out that it began protesting in ways I couldn't ignore: a harrowing surgery resulting from unchecked stress, and a disrupted body rhythm so severe I lost my period for half a year.

Through hard work, I managed to save and invest early. With the power of compound interest, this will grow into several millions by retirement.

I knew the arguments, of course. 

Earn passive income.

Escape the 9-to-5.

Retire early.

Then, a series of questions began to shape my thoughts:

Could I offer my family a life filled with richness and experiences?

Is it possible to ensure a comfortable retirement for my parents?

Could I significantly impact my community in a positive way?

The force of love is potent. Harness it.

I understand that having a financial education is a blessing. While you may not have been taught on finances, you CAN still acquire this knowledge. Fortunately, managing money is a skill, not a talent.

You don't need to be a Wall Street genius or come from a privileged background to grow your wealth – I am the living testament of that.

Have you ever felt stuck, or like your quality of life isn't what it could be when you're scraping by with your finances? You deserve so much more. You deserve choices. I've been there, and the thought of my three little girls as future women facing these same hurdles became unbearable.

While my experiences resonate with many, my heart and mission are dedicated to empowering women and those who identify as women. I believe in a world where every woman, regardless of her background, has the tools and knowledge to take control of her financial destiny.

Becoming a mother was a turning point for me. Every woman, whether she's a mother or not, seeks that harmony between personal dreams and professional aspirations. Therefore one day, I decided to change my path and left my secure well-paid job stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. 

I said to myself: “I’m going to be an entrepreneur so I can be free. Free to do whatever I want, whenever I want, with whomever I want. F*UCK IT. I’m doing it. I’ll make it work!

It was scary, but exciting. I co-founded two startups (the first was just a side hustle, while the second a full time job).

However my passion for women's well-being propelled me further, and after 14yrs working on “Wall St”, start-ups & tech I founded Cent of a Woman. 

With a burning desire to serve women and demonstrate that managing money and investing is not just for men or experts, I embarked on a mission to change the narrative. When we step out of our comfort zones, amazing things happen. It's never too late to start. And remember, the best experiences come from climbing our own mountains. 

Picture this: not so long ago, a woman couldn't even open a bank account or get credit without a man's permission… Wild, right? That was a reality for many women up until the 1970s in some parts of the world. Our journey has been shaped by centuries of patriarchy, and now we’re needing to get informed– and catch up. 

Financial freedom isn't an abstract concept—it's achievable, no matter where and when you start.

And together, we can rewrite narratives, crafting a world where every woman, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, steers her own journey. 

Now, I have the freedom to work how I want, where I want, having tackled the financial hurdles that looked so big at the start. I've attained a level of financial independence that has allowed me to consider early retirement. But let's be honest, it wasn't easy. It needs a lot of determination, many late nights, and yes, plenty of moments filled with doubt and distress. But, my friend, the rewards are endless and truly meaningful! And I want to help you thrive.