Sandra Soos Reynolds

I attribute my success to a combination of education, experience, persistence, and purpose.

For more than 25 years, I worked in the financial services industry, where I had the opportunity to learn from financial advisors, wholesalers, and industry professionals. As an office manager, I often sat in on training sessions that demonstrated how financial decisions made early in life can dramatically impact long-term outcomes. I saw firsthand how financial knowledge can create opportunities and help people build a more secure future. That experience reinforced my belief that financial literacy truly is a form of empowerment. I also credit my eight grandchildren, who have been both my inspiration and my testing ground. Many of the financial literacy concepts I teach today were first introduced to them. I remember teaching my granddaughter Charlotte about coins when she was in second grade. She had so much fun learning and remembered the lessons weeks later. That experience inspired me to create stories and activities that make learning about money enjoyable and memorable for children. My grandson Anthony, who is now pursuing business management and finance, reminds me of the lasting impact early financial conversations can have. Watching him develop an interest in these topics has been incredibly rewarding. Finally, I attribute my success to persistence and a lifelong commitment to learning. Even after retiring, I faced new challenges, especially with technology, websites, and digital marketing. Many tasks that take younger generations a few minutes can take me much longer, but I never let that stop me. I believe growth comes from being willing to keep learning, adapting, and trying again. Knowledge is powerful, but sharing that knowledge to help others is even more powerful. That belief continues to drive everything I do through Money Monster Kids.

The best career advice I ever received was that knowledge is power, so never stop learning.

I believe a lifelong learning mindset opens doors to new opportunities, builds confidence, and helps people make better decisions throughout their lives. No matter how much you know, there is always something new to learn. This is especially true in the financial industry, where regulations, strategies, and markets are constantly evolving. Even Certified Financial Planners (CFPs) continue their education throughout their careers because learning never truly ends. That philosophy guided me during my 25-plus years in the financial services industry. As an office manager, I took every opportunity to learn by attending training sessions and absorbing as much knowledge as possible from industry professionals. Today, that same mindset continues to guide me in retirement as I learn new technologies, build websites, and create financial literacy resources for students. I often joke that some tasks take me an hour to figure out, while my daughter or granddaughter can do them in five minutes. But I keep learning, adapting, and trying until I get it right. Persistence and continuous learning have been key to my success. That commitment to lifelong learning is also the foundation of my work with Money Monster Kids. I want students to understand that learning is a lifelong journey and that financial knowledge can empower them to make informed decisions and build successful futures.

My advice to young women entering financial education or the financial services industry is simple: don't be intimidated—pursue it.

Financial literacy is one of the most valuable skills you can learn, and the good news is that you don't need to be a math expert to succeed. What matters most is having a willingness to learn, ask questions, and stay curious. The financial world is constantly evolving, which means there is always something new to discover, no matter where you are in your career. Throughout my 25-plus years in the financial services industry, I learned that even experienced professionals continue their education through training, certifications, and continuing education requirements. Learning never stops, and that's what makes the field so rewarding. I would also encourage young women not to let self-doubt hold them back. While the financial industry has traditionally been male-dominated, there is tremendous opportunity for women to make a meaningful impact. Women bring unique perspectives, strong communication skills, and a natural ability to educate, guide, and support others, qualities that are incredibly valuable in this profession. Step outside your comfort zone, be willing to learn from mistakes, and keep moving forward. Some concepts may seem overwhelming at first, but as you gain knowledge and confidence, you'll begin to see how powerful financial literacy can be, not only for yourself but for the people you help. Most importantly, remember that knowledge is power. When you invest in learning and then use that knowledge to help others make better financial decisions, you have the opportunity to create a lasting impact that extends far beyond yourself.

I believe one of the greatest challenges in financial literacy education today is that many students are not being exposed to personal finance concepts early enough.

While some schools are beginning to incorporate financial literacy into their curricula, there remains a significant gap in helping young people understand fundamental concepts such as saving, budgeting, compound interest, responsible spending, and long-term financial planning. Many adults were never formally taught these skills themselves, making it difficult to pass financial knowledge on to the next generation. As a result, many young people enter adulthood without the confidence or understanding needed to make informed financial decisions. At the same time, I see tremendous opportunities to address this challenge. There is growing awareness of the importance of financial literacy, and educators, parents, and community organizations are actively seeking engaging resources that make these topics easier to teach and understand. Through Money Monster Kids, I am working to help fill this gap by creating age-appropriate financial literacy resources for students from elementary through high school. My approach combines stories, activity books, and real-world learning experiences to make financial concepts fun, relatable, and less intimidating. Children often don't realize they are learning financial skills—they enjoy the stories and activities while building a strong foundation for the future. I also see significant opportunities to help families navigate important financial milestones, such as planning and paying for college. My book, The Practical Guide to College Funding, helps students and parents better understand scholarships, grants, work-study programs, financial aid, and college planning strategies. Additionally, digital platforms such as Teachers Pay Teachers and online learning communities have created new opportunities to place valuable educational resources directly into the hands of teachers, homeschool families, and parents. Ultimately, I believe the opportunity is clear: if we can introduce financial literacy early and make it engaging, practical, and accessible, we can empower future generations to make smarter financial decisions, reduce financial stress, and build more secure and successful lives.

Family, lifelong learning, and helping others are the values that guide both my personal life and my work.

Family is at the heart of everything I do and remains one of my greatest sources of inspiration. As a grandmother of eight, I have had the unique opportunity to see firsthand how children learn and grow. My grandchildren have inspired many of the financial literacy resources I create and have often been the first to experience new activities and lessons. Watching my granddaughter Charlotte become excited about learning coin values and combinations in elementary school showed me that financial education can be both fun and meaningful. Seeing my grandson Anthony pursue studies in business management and finance reminds me of the lasting impact that early financial conversations can have. I also place a high value on continuous learning and personal growth. Throughout my career in the financial services industry and now as an entrepreneur, I have learned that growth happens when we are willing to embrace new challenges. Even in retirement, I continue to learn new technologies, build websites, and develop educational resources. While some tasks may take me longer than they do younger generations, I believe persistence and a willingness to learn are essential to personal and professional success. Another value that is deeply important to me is service. I am passionate about helping others gain the knowledge and confidence they need to make informed decisions. Through Money Monster Kids, I strive to create practical, engaging, and accessible financial literacy resources that empower students to develop healthy money habits and build confidence in their futures. Above all, I believe education creates opportunity. Financial literacy is one of the most valuable life skills a person can learn. When young people are equipped with financial knowledge early in life, they gain confidence, independence, and the ability to make thoughtful decisions that can positively impact their futures for years to come. Contributing to that journey is both my purpose and my passion.