ENTREPRENEUR’S CORNER

Jessica Perrone: Overcoming Investment Hurdles

By AP Connolly

Investing can be daunting for many women, leaving them overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. As someone who personally experienced this struggle, Jessica Perrone, founder of Her Financial IQ—HerFinIQ—understands women’s challenges. Growing up as the oldest of eight kids without any money or investing conversations, she quickly realized that many women lack the financial education and support they need to succeed. With over 16 years of experience in finance and an array of mentors throughout her career, Jessica Perrone recognized the vital role of a support system in finance.

Until now, a nonprofit organization based in Long Island has eased the burden by offering free makeup consultations and lessons tailored explicitly for women undergoing cancer treatment. Founded by four Long Islanders who witnessed the struggles of loved ones battling cancer and saw a need, The Basic Six aims to address the unique cosmetic needs of cancer patients. Patients say the service is life changing as they don’t see a cancer patient in the mirror but a brave and determined warrior. The program provides women with the cosmetic tools they need to replace what cancer therapy depletes aesthetically.

FACING THE CHALLENGE
Cancer treatments often include challenges related to skin tone, texture, and compromised immune systems. The Basic Six focuses on techniques for common concerns such as loss of lashes and eyebrows, uneven skin tone, and changes in facial appearance due to steroid use. They provide products for foundation, brows and lashes, eyeliner, cheeks and lip color, and a head covering, whether a hat, scarf, or wig, to address hair loss. 

The Basic Six’s licensed cosmetologists are certified by the American Cancer Society and say traditional makeup resources often fall short in adequately dealing with these concerns. Jorge Hernandez, a founding member and licensed cosmetologist, said, “It’s vital that cosmetologists who work with people undergoing chemotherapy understand the intricacies of cancer treatment side effects and practice special hygiene considerations for compromised immune systems. When you are undergoing cancer treatments, you can’t just go into a department store or makeup shop and assume the staff knows how to advise you safely.” Hernandez owns a Long Island salon, one of the locations where sessions occur. 

A WHOLE NEW WORLD
Jessica’s mission through HerFinIQ is to provide women with the understanding and confidence necessary to navigate the financial world, fostering a supportive community where they can flourish as informed and empowered investors. By empowering women to overcome the barriers they face in understanding and engaging in finance, HerFinIQ is dedicated to creating a brighter financial future for women and their families.

The complete HerFinIQ Curriculum & Interactive Learning Platform encompasses a range of courses, including “Before Investing,” “Investing for Beginners,” and “Stocks & ETFs Simplified,” all aimed at making finance more accessible and helping women build financial expertise. By breaking down complex financial concepts into easy-to-understand on-demand video modules, HerFinIQ equips women with the tools and understanding needed to navigate the investing world while fostering a supportive community of learners.  

With HerFinIQ, Perrone believes that every woman has the potential to become a savvy investor and gain financial independence. By addressing women’s unique economic challenges in finance, HerFinIQ aims to empower women to overcome investment hurdles, build wealth, and create a brighter financial future for themselves and their families.  

By providing the necessary education and support, HerFinIQ strives to level the playing field and ensure that every woman can achieve financial success. Together, Jessica Perrone and HerFinIQ can redefine what it means to be financially empowered and inspire a new generation of confident, knowledgeable investors. 

FINANCIAL DUCKS
As part of the HerFinIQ approach, Jessica Perrone coined the phrase “Financial Ducks” to refer to the foundation women should establish before investing.

· Spend less than you make Living within your means is crucial for building wealth and financial stability.
· Pay off high-interest debt first Prioritize paying off debts with high interest to save money overall.
· Cultivate your credit score Your credit score plays a significant role in the interest rates you receive on loans and credit cards. Maintaining a good credit score can save you significant 
money in interest payments over time.
· Invest early and regularly Starting to invest early and consistently contributing, even with lesser amounts, can take advantage of the power of compounding and potentially grow your wealth over time.

Incorporating these and other HerFinIQ strategies can lead women to financial success and a brighter future. With HerFinIQ, women can gain the knowledge, skills, and support they need to confidently navigate the world of finance and achieve their financial goals. 

For more information on Jessica Perrone and Her Financial IQ, visit herfiniq.com