In the world of finance, traditional gender roles have long cast their shadow, and only a select few individuals ended up defying norms and reshaping the landscape. One of them is Karen Bruton. Her story is anything but conventional. The fact that she was in her 50s when she redefined her life and entered the trading industry alone speaks volumes.
Here is the story of Karen Bruton — her personal triumph can inspire countless others to break through the barriers that stand between them and their dreams.
Early beginnings and challenges
From her early years, Karen’s aspirations were straightforward: excel in her studies, secure a spot in a reputable college, and forge a successful career. However, her path was not without its share of challenges.
During the early 1970s, Karen ventured into the realm of her first job, and she was immediately confronted with the stark reality of being a woman in a corporate world predominantly dominated by men. But she went on to ascend the ranks, achieving the notable position of vice president and corporate controller at two distinct companies.
But at the height of her career, she felt a profound conviction that she was meant to channel her skills and resources toward offering hope to those who needed it most. That was the start of Just Hope International and Hope Advisors.
Pioneering path
In 2007, Karen Bruton founded Just Hope International, driven by a deep desire to create lasting change. Starting with charitable projects, Karen realized the usual approach to helping the impoverished wasn’t effective. She came up with a different way to tackle this — to empower people with economic knowledge and entrepreneurial skills.
During her financial career, Karen learned stock market trading for a decade. Even after leaving her executive role in the corporate world, she continued trading to support her nonprofit work. Her success caught the attention of friends and former colleagues, and this led her to start a private hedge fund.
Milestones, achievements, and breakthrough moments
The earnings generated from the private hedge fund held the power to underwrite Just Hope International’s overhead and operating expenses. This financial independence allowed the organization to direct 100% of the contributions they received toward the actual projects. According to their website, this structure ensures that every penny is maximized for impact.
The Hope organization revolves around a comprehensive five-step methodology to evaluate and cater to the demands of the local market. This approach involves nurturing the growth of community members across various essential areas, including:
- Business training
- Technical skills
- Market connections
- Financial services
- Life skills
In a remarkable progression of the fund, Karen’s account under management experienced substantial growth over a few years and eventually reached a figure of around 300 million. While it might be considered modest by industry standards, this achievement isn’t small. It’s especially noteworthy when viewed through the lens of her initial journey — a journey led by a woman who had taught herself how to trade.
Efforts to promote diversity and inclusion
At the core of Karen’s advocacy is the recognition of the vital role of diversity and inclusion. Having worked extensively in various countries across South America, Asia, and Africa, Karen Bruton and her team saw the role that women play in their projects. Throughout their endeavors, they witnessed firsthand the extraordinary dedication and commitment that women brought to the table. However, despite being some of the hardest workers, Karen observed a lack of adequate support and encouragement for these women.
The disparity between the efforts put forth by women and the recognition they received compelled Karen to take action. She’s advocating for women in roles and decision-making positions. In her book, she also described the correlation between the empowerment of women and the vitality of industries, including investment and trading firms.
Lessons and takeaways
Here is what you can learn from the chapters of Karen Bruton’s story:
- It’s never too late to embark on a new path.
- Personal accomplishments can be leveraged to effect positive change on a larger scale.
- Obstacles are inevitable, especially in industries that traditionally lack diversity.
- Inclusivity isn’t just an ethical imperative; it’s a strategic advantage.
- When one person breaks barriers, they can pave the way for others to follow suit.
Karen demonstrates that there is potential in every individual to transform challenges into opportunities. And if it’s something that speaks to you personally, there’s a platform where you can put these lessons into action — Binomo.
Sources:
Karen Bruton || Trevor Talks Podcast with Trevor Tyson, YouTube
How Karen the Supertrader Blew Up, Investor Mint