Begin with the End in Mind: Money Skills for Young Women Founders

Hoxton’s Wealth Planner Hulya Gunay is passionate about closing the gender gap in financial services and empowering women to secure their financial futures. 

She recently joined a webinar, supported by the European Commission, about what it means to take bold steps into entrepreneurship and building purposeful work. 

The conversation explored how ideas turn into action, how confidence grows through real-world experience, and why mindset sits at the heart of every entrepreneurial journey. 

“I believe having a vision is essential on the entrepreneurial journey,” Hulya reflects. “I like the saying ‘Begin with the end in mind’ – Habit No. 2 in Dr Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. 

“Creating a clear vision and a personal mission statement provides a mental blueprint for your life and work. A long-term vision also keeps you on track when life throws something at you – and it will.  

“As a coach, I recommend setting short-, mid- and long-term goals. Breaking goals down makes them more achievable without losing sight of the big picture.” 

The conversation also looked at how financial literacy can support creativity and risk-taking, rather than limit it. 

Starting out in business, one of the biggest obstacles is financial constraint. 

Financial literacy equips founders with the tools to manage these pressures and clears mental blocks around money. 

Because financial education isn’t widely taught, gaps in knowledge can hold businesses back. 

Mindset also matters. Hulya sees money-related confidence barriers show up more often among women for a variety of reasons – and the funding landscape reflects this, with female-founded businesses typically receiving less venture capital and private-equity backing than male-led peers. 

Improving financial confidence and skills can unlock bolder decisions, more creative problem-solving, and ultimately better outcomes. 

There are simple habits and tools that build confidence early on. “How you do one thing is how you do everything,” says Hulya.  

“Start with straightforward budgeting – whether that’s an online tool or a simple spreadsheet. Knowing your numbers is essential for both personal and business finances. 

“During fact-finds with clients, I’m often surprised by how many people don’t have a clear picture of their finances. 

“Many women, in particular, have been encouraged to hand decision-making to a partner. 

“In my experience, that assumption – that men are better with money – just doesn’t hold. Taking ownership is the first step.” 

Hulya suggests that if you’ve got an idea but don’t know where to start, think small and start now. You don’t need a perfect plan – just a first step. 

Begin by clarifying your “why”: the purpose behind the idea and the difference you want to create in the world. 

Then break that vision into bite-sized, doable actions for the next one to two weeks – things like speaking to five potential customers, sketching a simple prototype, or drafting a one-page budget. 

Keep the big picture in view but focus your energy on the next concrete move. 

Track what you learn, not just what you achieve – each small experiment should teach you something you can iterate on. 

Expect wobbles along the way. Every obstacle prepares you for the next step in your journey of entrepreneurship. 

Take the first step, even if it’s imperfect; sometimes you do have to take a leap of faith in life and business and trust that momentum will carry you forward.