Ditching the Finance Playbook: Why More Young Pros Are Jumping Into Entrepreneurship
UMushroom, MCD Education & The Wall Street Skinny in Conversation
This week, Luba and Tonia joined forces with Giorgio Toledo from MCD Education for a conversation we’d been eagerly anticipating. Their guests? The dynamic duo behind The Wall Street Skinny—Kristen Kelly and Jennifer Saabach—two women who, like UMushroom & MCD Education, are on a mission to redefine what financial education can truly look like.
The Rise of the Wall Street Skinny
If you’ve listened to their podcast or seen their community grow, you already know that Kristen and Jennifer aren’t your typical finance voices. With backgrounds that span investment banking, private equity, and corporate finance, they’ve taken everything they learned on Wall Street and turned it into something far more valuable: approachable, relatable financial literacy for the next generation.
Their mission is simple but refreshing: cut the jargon, ditch the elitism, and make real-world finance accessible. Today, their audience includes tens of thousands of students, early-career professionals, and anyone who just wants a straight, honest take on money and careers.
What It Really Takes to Break Into Finance
One of the most compelling parts of our conversation was hearing their honest reflections on their own career paths. They shared what they wish they’d known when they first stepped into the industry, why the traditional “cookie-cutter” finance trajectory is evolving, and how students today can set themselves apart.
Their candour hit home. Finance can look polished from the outside, but they didn’t shy away from discussing the pressure, pace, and realities that often get glossed over. For students trying to find their footing, this honesty is priceless.
Why Hands-On Investment Challenges Matter More Than Ever
Another theme that resonated deeply was the importance of experiential learning. We talked about why opportunities like our investment challenges are no longer just “nice-to-haves” but essential for students entering the world of finance.
These challenges do what textbooks can’t:
- They offer practical exposure to real decisions and real consequences.
- They help students build a portfolio of action, proof of how they think, not just what they know.
- They open doors to industry mentors, recruiters, and professionals.
- And maybe most importantly, they teach you how to operate under pressure and how to learn from mistakes, skills no lecture can replicate.
Kristen and Jennifer drove the point home, and we couldn’t agree more.
Advice for Future Finance Leaders
Of course, the conversation left us with gems for young investors and aspiring finance professionals. A few that stuck with us:
- Start before you feel ready. Confidence is built through action.
- Progress beats perfection, every single time.
- Don’t obsess over predicting the future; focus on frameworks that guide smart decisions.
- Pick a long-term strategy and stay committed.
- And remember: curiosity will take you further than credentials.
Their insights couldn’t be more aligned with what we believe at UMushroom and MCD Education: competence comes from trying, failing, learning, and trying again.
A Conversation That Felt Real
What made the episode truly special wasn’t just the advice, but the energy. Kristen and Jennifer brought honesty, humour, and infectious enthusiasm to the table, making the conversation both insightful and genuinely fun. Finance discussions can get heavy—but this episode felt refreshing, human, and incredibly accessible.
We’re grateful to them for joining us, and even more grateful for the value they brought to our students and community.
🎧 The full episode is live now.
Whether you're considering a career in finance or shaping your first investment strategy, this conversation is worth listening to.
