As our resident financial expert, Victoria Harris is something of a fixture here at Fashion Quarterly. Known for her ‘Money Talks’ column in FQ’s print issues, and by others for her role in The Curve, Harris’ background in finance spans over a decade. Now, dedicating her time solely to growing her financial education platform, The Curve – and Harris – are growing success on success.
The co-founder’s love for investing developed early in life, prior to undertaking any finance-related studies. A natural entrepreneur, Harris began dabbling in the mechanics of business during her school days, recalling memories of selling goldfish to her friends. However, it was her mother who helped her make her first real investment. “My mother actually bought me a few shares in a company, and once I saw the dividend cheques arrive in the letterbox and my savings started to grow, I was hooked,” she explains.
This interest carried through to adulthood; and after securing a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in economics and finance from the University of Canterbury, Harris’ first stint in the finance world wasn’t quite what she anticipated. “I started my career in finance about 13 years ago now. My first job out of University was at Milford Asset Management where I was answering the phones, getting coffee and clearing the mailbox. Not very glamorous!” she says.
Despite this, she quickly rose the ranks to an analyst role before moving up to Portfolio Manager where she supported the company’s first international opening in Sydney. “Since then I have worked as a Portfolio Manager at various fund managers, managing millions of dollars for various different clients,” says Harris. “I love how dynamic working in financial markets can be – every day is so different – nobody knows what the stock market will do!”
Being one of only a few women in an industry populated by men in suits, Harris stood out from the majority of her colleagues from the outset. It was this disparity that led the co-founder to start The Curve, an educational platform targeted at women interested in investing. “Throughout my career, there was one glaringly obvious thing – the lack of women,” says Harris. “I constantly had friends ask me for advice on where to put their money and so about two years ago, my business partner (Sophie) and I decided to create somewhere where any woman could go to learn about investing.”
Since its launch two years ago, The Curve has garnered over twenty-thousand followers on Instagram. “With The Curve, we want to reach as many women as possible so there’s not a woman out there who feels like there’s somewhere she can’t go to improve her wealth trajectory,” says Harris. “Understanding how to grow our money can be so empowering. Not only does it improve your confidence, it leads to financial independence, flexibility and choice…most importantly, it gives them freedom.”
In addition to their website – which features a variety of helpful tools – Harris and her business partner Sophie Hallwright host workshops, events, and multi award-winning podcast, called Raising The Curve. Now, working full-time on building the platform, Harris has no plans of slowing down. “Thankfully I am now full-time on The Curve, but for over two years I had to balance a full-time job and running a business. It was hard. It was stressful. It was lonely. But, I would do it all over again,” she says.
With an array of successful collaborations under her belt, including creating a cost-conscious digital cookbook with Miss Polly’s Kitchen, Harris is still looking forward. “We have worked with so many cool international brands on interesting and unique collaborations,” she explains. “Soph is super creative and amazing at integrating a brand into educational content for our audience.” When asked about her dream collaboration for The Curve, the co-founder shared “I think on the podcast side, collaborating with someone like Alex Cooper (Call Her Daddy) or Steve Bartlett (Diary of a CEO) would be insane – they’re pretty big time though!”
While her next adventure will be a trip with Hallwright to the UK, there is much on the calendar for The Curve in the coming months, with new launches, events, and collaborations in the works. To our FQ readers (and anyone interested in dipping their toe into investing), Harris had some parting words of wisdom. “Start now. It’s never too late (or too early!) to start investing,” she says. “You just have to change what you invest in if you are older versus if you’re younger. If you are nervous or don’t know where to start, we are here to help.”
Quickfire Questions:
The best book I’ve read recently… is Manifest by Roxie Nafousi. I love a self help (or finance) book and this one is such an easy and super useful read.
My current podcast recommendation… it has to be Raising the Curve, obviously!
Best coffee spot… Neighbour in Grey Lynn. It’s a cute little neighbourhood spot on my morning walking route. And the guys there are so lovely and friendly.
Hometown’s best-kept secret… the Takapuna to Milford coastal walk. On a clear morning, the sunrise is incredible and an amazing way to start the day. Great for the soul.
If I had to listen to one musician for the rest of my life it would be… Rihanna. I love music I can dance too. Plus, she’s an incredible businesswoman. She’s definitely on repeat for me.
My favourite place to travel to… any NZ beach. I love being by the ocean, especially in summer. I think I must’ve been a fish in a past life.
This season I’m saving on… winter clothes because I’m off to London for four months.
I would describe my style as… simple and minimalistic. I’m also not that adventurous in my style. I stick to labels I love.
Those interested in learning more can head to thecurve.co.nz, tune into Raising The Curve on Spotify, as well as keeping up to date with the latest from the duo on Instagram.
The Curve has a new and exciting online course, The Money Reset, launching soon! Join The Curve community at @thecurve____ to be the first to know!
