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Breaking Through Traditional Boundaries and Amplifying Women in Fintech with Nicole Casperson (Ep. 7)

Breaking Through Traditional Boundaries and Amplifying Women in Fintech with Nicole Casperson (Ep. 7)

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Why did Nicole Casperson start Fintech is Femme? Because there was no media brand solely focused on delivering exceptional fintech analysis while amplifying the voices and causes of women and other diverse industry participants. So, she created one. 

In this episode, Elena Krasnow and Jimmy Moock welcome Nicole Casperson, a well-known fintech journalist and founder of Fintech is Femme. Nicole shares her journey as a journalist, including her decision to leave the world of traditional financial media and start her own mission-driven media brand. She emphasizes the power of shaping the narrative and the importance of representation, especially for women and Black and Brown women in fintech. Nicole discusses her platform’s evolution, the value of building relationships with PR professionals, and the launch of her Real Talk community.

Nicole discusses: 

  • Her journey as a journalist and decision to start her own media brand
  • The importance of representation and highlighting the stories of women in fintech
  • How her platform has evolved and why she rebranded to Fintech is Femme
  • Why embracing change and evolving is so important in the industry
  • What she looks for in a strong PR partner
  • Why authenticity is the foundation of building relationships with PR professionals
  • The launch of the Real Talk community
  • And more

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About our Guest: 

Nicole Casperson is the founder of Fintech is Femme, a media brand that provides the latest fintech analysis while championing the stories and insights of women and diverse voices. As a founder, Nicole has grown a multi-million-dollar brand from scratch. She creates the content, strategy, and voice of her brand by providing news coverage to over 50,000 subscribers via the Fintech is Femme newsletter and event series. She is also the host of the Humans of Fintech podcast, a podcast dedicated to highlighting the voices of women and other underrepresented groups, giving listeners insight into how they too can find belonging in the fintech space. As a part of her brand, Nicole also leads the Real Talk community, a ‘no BS’ community focused on connecting and advancing women in fintech. 

Nicole teaches financial management at the Parsons School of Design in New York City, and is a regular contributor to Forbes, writing about topics that intersect gender, equity, finance, and technology. In 2022, she was named a Top Inspiring Female in Fintech by NYC Fintech Women, as well as a Top Influencer in Financial Twitter by ETFtrends.com. She has also been recognized as a Fintech Nexus DEI Trailblazer award finalist. Nicole is an international public speaker, having spoken about fintech and equality at events like the 2023 Women’s World Banking Summit in Mumbai, Money 2020 Amsterdam and Las Vegas, Future Proof, Orion Ascent, and more.

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An Entrepreneurial Journey Through the Tech and Financial World with Ritik Malhotra (Ep. 6)

An Entrepreneurial Journey Through the Tech and Financial World with Ritik Malhotra (Ep. 6)

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Join us as we delve into the remarkable entrepreneurial journey of Ritik Malhotra, Co-Founder & CEO of Savvy Wealth. 

From a childhood passion for technology to the successful sale of two tech companies, Ritik’s story is one of innovation, resilience, and unwavering determination. 

In this episode, he shares his experiences, including starting his first company in middle school, participating in two exits in his twenties, and the birth of his most recently founded company, Savvy Wealth. Listen in and gain insights into his thoughts during exit talks, the importance of meeting people’s needs, and why Savvy Wealth has attracted many mid-career advisors looking for more. Discover Ritik’s valuable advice on choosing the right public relations firm and get to know his interests beyond work.

Ritik discusses: 

  • His successful career as an entrepreneur and how he cultivated his passion for technology from an early age
  • His experience co-founding the company Elph and how his team explored different industries before focusing on financial services
  • His thought process during exit talks and the importance of creating something that addresses real problems and caters to people’s needs 
  • Why Savvy Wealth attracts mid-career advisors who are looking to grow and receive support in an independent model
  • The importance of being specific and understanding the industry’s unique needs when choosing a public relations firm
  • What career he would pursue if he were not an entrepreneur, and what he likes doing after work
  • And more!

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About our Guest: 

Ritik Malhotra is a repeat tech founder with two prior exits (one to Box in 2014 and one to Brex in 2019). Most recently, he was Director of Product Management at Brex where he started and built Brex Cash, Brex’s second business line after the corporate card. He’s now building Savvy, a tech-enabled wealth management firm. Ritik is a Y Combinator and Thiel Fellowship alum and holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from UC Berkeley.

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From Financial Journalist To Lead Dad with Paul Sullivan (Ep. 5)

From Financial Journalist To Lead Dad with Paul Sullivan (Ep. 5)

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Are you ready to dive into the evolution of journalism over the past 25 years? 

Gain insights into the changing landscape of journalism, the impact of social media, and the importance of nurturing connections.

In this episode, Elena Krasnow and Jimmy Moock are joined by Paul Sullivan, a financial journalist, author, and founder of the Company of Dads, to talk about his experience in the field. Discover how Paul’s journey led him to coin the term ‘Lead Dad’ and establish an inspiring platform. Tune in for engaging discussions on behavioral finance, personal finance books, and the selection of wiser choices.

Paul discusses: 

  • What it was like beginning his career at Bloomberg
  • How journalism has changed over the course of his 25-year career
  • How the changes in publishing have affected reporters’ work
  • How journalists connect with their network
  • A few of his favorite lessons learned while writing the Wealth Matters column, as gleaned from conversations with wealth planning and investment management executives
  • What a Lead Dad is, how he became one, and how that motto evolved into the philosophical underpinning of the Company of Dads platform
  • And more

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About our Guest: 

Paul Sullivan is the founder of The Company of Dads, the first platform dedicated to creating a community for lead dads. Its mission is to help Lead Dads feel less isolated and more confident that they have made the correct choice to take on the bulk of the parenting and family duties, or at the very least, not embrace stereotypes around who does what at home. 

Previously, Paul wrote The New York Times’ Wealth Matters column for 13 years, and also was the mastermind behind the Money Game column in Golf Magazine. As a journalist for 25 years, Paul got his start as a reporter at Bloomberg and Institutional Investor. From 2000 to 2006, he was a reporter, editor, and columnist at the Financial Times, and has also written for publications like Fortune, Money, Conde Nast Portfolio, The International Herald Tribune, Barron’s, the Boston Globe, and Food Wine. Paul is the author of two books, Clutch: Why Some People Excel Under Pressure and Others Don’t and The Thin Green Line: The Money Secrets of the Super Wealthy. He has been interviewed on podcasts, radio and television programs across America, including NPR Marketplace, CNN, and Fox News. Paul has also given keynotes to audiences ranging in size from 50 to 500 people, spanning the United States, Mexico, and Chile. Today, he lives in Connecticut with his wife and their three daughters and three dogs. When he is not running the company of dads, he is an obsessive golfer.

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Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges with Liz Fritz (Ep. 4)

Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges with Liz Fritz (Ep. 4)

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How can we create a culture of work-life balance and support for women in the public relations and wealthtech landscape?

In this episode, Elena and Jimmy Moock speak with Liz Fritz, Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of wealthtech management consulting firm F2 Strategy, about her journey into wealthtech from corporate public relations. Liz discusses her experience in corporate PR and communications, the joys and challenges of working in a regulated industry, and her transition to entrepreneurship. She also shares her passion for uplifting women and parents in the financial services industry and creating a work environment where everyone feels supported.

Liz discusses: 

  • Her professional journey of jumping ship from corporate banking to life as an entrepreneur at F2 Strategy with her husband and co-founder, Doug Fritz 
  • What it’s like to represent behemoth brands like Wells Fargo as well as her best learning moments from her time there
  • How public relations and marketing efforts can take brands of various sectors to the next level, along with the key ingredients to a strong marketing and PR program
  • Her “Dear Wealth Tech” post, and how it led to F2 Strategy’s social campaign #womeninwealthtech
  • How F2 Strategy’s recent acquisition of Oakbrook Solutions and addition of a private equity partner are bringing the firm into an even brighter future
  • And more

Resources:

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About our Guest: 

Liz is co-founder and chief commercial officer for F2 Strategy, where she leads all brand strategy, digital marketing, social media, content and PR. She brings almost 20 years of experience working with some of the most well-known global brands in the HNW and UHNW space, such as Wells Fargo Private Bank, Abbott Downing, U.S. Bank and BNP Paribas. 

Liz is a frequent contributor to wealthmanagement.com, participant in webinars regarding  WealthTech digital marketing and alumna of Chief, the only organization specifically designed for senior women leaders to strengthen their leadership journey, cross-pollinate ideas across industries, and effect change from the top down. She is particularly passionate about creating a company culture of well-being and supporting other women in the WealthTech and Fintech industries. Liz is based in Santa Cruz, CA.

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From Cold Call Sales to Crime Reporting: The Unconventional Journey of Justin Mack (Ep.3)

From Cold Call Sales to Crime Reporting: The Unconventional Journey of Justin Mack (Ep.3)

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In this episode of PRess Play: The StreetCred Podcast, the hosts interview Justin Mack, wealthtech reporter at Financial Planning, a well-established industry publication that serves an engaged audience of financial advisors and wealth managers. He discusses his journey into journalism, his approach to collaborating with public relations professionals, and his current work. Justin also shares valuable insights into the importance of kindness, journalistic integrity, and the role of technology in the financial services industry. 

One of the most valuable lessons from this podcast is the importance of approaching every interaction with kindness and understanding, regardless of the industry. Justin emphasizes the need to remember that behind every email or missed call is a person, and that interactions may not always be perfect. 

Justin discusses: 

  • How he found his area of expertise as a reporter–and how he stays competitive!
  • How he established his creative voice as a journalist
  • How he weeds out the “bad” stories–finding reliable sources, working with anonymous contributors, and preserving his reputation
  • His interests outside journalism and how they inspire his work
  • …and more

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About Justin Mack:

Justin is the wealth tech reporter for financial planning as well as the host and lead editorial producer of the Financial Planning Podcast.

The Cleveland, Ohio native earned his bachelor’s degree in communication and political science from Purdue University before spending more than a decade as a USA Today network journalist with the Lafayette Journal and Courier and the Indianapolis Star. His work as a reporter, anchor, moderator, and host has earned him awards for coverage across a multitude of verticals, including crime, politics, pop culture, business breaking news and investigations.

Justin also serves as a board member for the Indiana Professional chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. In addition to exploring the role technology plays in the lives of advisors on a daily basis, Justin also covers efforts to address the diversity and cultural issues that have plagued financial services for generations.

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Weaving Together PR and Marketing with Kelly Waltrich (Ep. 2)

Weaving Together PR and Marketing with Kelly Waltrich (Ep. 2)

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Given the substantial overlap between public relations and marketing, firms stand to benefit from a tight-knit collaboration between these two vital teams. 

In this episode, Elena Krasnow and Jimmy Moock speak with Kelly Waltrich, co-founder of Intention.ly, about her journey in financial services marketing. Kelly shares her story of why she decided to become an entrepreneur and start Intention.ly before passionately discussing how public relations and marketing strategies complement each other. She also provides tips on how to vet and establish a quality partnership with marketing agencies. 

Kelly discusses: 

  • Why she decided to become an entrepreneur and launch Intention.ly
  • Her experience at previous firms, going through an acquisition and merging departments while also keeping her clients at the forefront
  • How PR and marketing strategies complement each other
  • Intention.ly’s growth and her hiring process for the firm
  • The green and red flags to look for when evaluating prospective marketing agencies
  • What she would be doing if she weren’t working in financial marketing services
  • What she does for fun outside of the workplace
  • A moment of gratitude for Edmond Walters
  • And more

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About our Guest: 

For over 15 years, Intention.ly Co-founder Kelly Waltrich has been championing the role of marketing in the financial services industry. As former Chief Marketing Officer at eMoney Advisor and Orion Advisor Solutions, she proved time and again that there is no better driver of an organization’s growth and overall success than a well-run marketing and communications team. At eMoney and Orion, Waltrich built powerhouse marketing teams from the ground up, developing the engines that would fuel the highest periods of growth for both companies. She designed the strategy behind several successful rebrands, acquisitions, and product launches – including spearheading the development of two advisor marketing products – while creating unmatched overall brand visibility and helping to turn company executives into industry thought leaders. Through forward-thinking demand generation, PR, and product marketing, Waltrich created a consistent inbound pipeline for both firms, driving CAC down and SOV up.

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Welcome to PRess Play: The StreetCred Podcast! (Ep. 1)

Welcome to PRess Play: The StreetCred Podcast! (Ep. 1)

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Welcome to PRess Play: The StreetCred Podcast, where financial services meet credibility marketing!

Get ready for captivating conversations with industry leaders, journalists, and top influencers — including the various twists and turns that led them to where they are today.

In this inaugural episode, Elena Krasnow, Jason Lahita, and Jimmy Moock unravel StreetCred PR’s fascinating origin story, shed light on their biggest learnings from decades of PR experience, and set the stage for what listeners can expect from future episodes.

Elena, Jason, and Jimmy discuss: 

  • PR missteps from early in their career — and the wisdom gained from those experiences
  • What ignited their passion for financial services PR
  • StreetCred PR’s core values, vibrant company culture, and future plans
  • Their personal hobbies and interests (a glimpse into the individuals behind the expertise!)
  • And more

Resources:

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About our Guests: 

Elena Krasnow is a dynamic member of the StreetCred PR team who plays an essential role in several key aspects of the day-to-day agency activities. As an experienced writer and editor, she utilizes her written communication abilities to help manage the production and output of high-quality editorial content for clients. With her high degree of emotional intelligence and unwavering commitment to StreetCred’s high standard of client service, she is adept at making clients and teams feel valued while establishing strong, lasting relationships.

Jason Lahita, with a background in PR at United Capital Financial Advisors and an MBA from UC Irvine, took the leap and established his first PR agency in 2012. In 2018, he returned to his roots of working within RIAs when he joined Integrated Partners—a fantastic financial firm that evoked memories of his time at United Capital. Jason spearheaded their PR efforts for two years before venturing into a new phase in 2020. Thus, StreetCred PR was born, with Integrated Partners as its inaugural client. With the addition of new clients and a team of exceptional professionals, StreetCred PR has since gone from strength to strength. 

Jimmy Moock has, for the past 17 years, led campaigns for a diverse range of clients in the financial services ecosystem, including registered investment advisory firms, mutual fund complexes, hedge funds, ETFs, family offices, and more. As the legend goes, Jimmy’s prowess in public relations was apparent during his summer internship in 1998 when he secured a client appearance on CNBC’s “Power Lunch” within his very first week on the job. Building on this early success, he immersed himself in the fast-paced and highly creative public relations landscape of New York City. Jimmy has since played a pivotal role in shaping countless C-level executives’ critical business communications initiatives.

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PRess Play: The StreetCred Podcast Coming Soon

PRess Play: The StreetCred Podcast Coming Soon

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Welcome to PRess Play: The StreetCred Podcast with Elena Krasnow and Jimmy Moock from StreetCred PR. In this podcast, Elena and Jimmy will welcome industry leaders, journalists, influencers, and friends of the firm. Our guests will shed some light on who they are–and the various twists and turns that led them to where they are today. We’re grateful to have you listening in and we hope you enjoy the show.

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