From Living Room to Community: Our First Year

As we celebrate our first anniversary, I find myself amazed at how far we've come. What started as informal gatherings has grown into a thriving community of women committed to financial empowerment.

The Early Days

Our first "class" had six attendees - five friends and one brave woman who responded to a community board posting. We sat around my dining table, drinking chai and discussing budgeting basics. The nervousness I felt that day was palpable, but so was the hunger for knowledge.

Unexpected Challenges

Starting The Purple Wings wasn't without obstacles:

Breaking the Taboo

Many women were uncomfortable discussing money, even in a supportive environment. Cultural and social taboos made these conversations difficult initially.

Diverse Needs

Each woman came with unique circumstances - from young professionals starting careers to retirees managing fixed incomes. Creating content that served everyone was challenging.

Building Trust

Financial topics are deeply personal. Building a safe space where women felt comfortable sharing their struggles took time and patience.

Beautiful Surprises

But the rewards far exceeded the challenges:

The Aha Moments

Watching women's faces light up when concepts finally clicked never gets old. These "aha moments" fuel my passion daily.

Peer Support

Women began helping each other outside our sessions, sharing resources, reviewing each other's budgets, and celebrating financial milestones together.

Generational Impact

Mothers brought daughters, creating multi-generational conversations about money that many families had never had before.

By the Numbers

In our first year:

What We Learned

1. **Start Where You Are**: Perfection isn't necessary. Begin with what you know and grow from there.

2. **Listen First**: The best curriculum comes from understanding real women's real needs.

3. **Celebrate Small Wins**: Every budget created, every savings goal met, every confident financial decision deserves celebration.

4. **Community is Everything**: Women supporting women creates magic.

Looking Ahead

Year two brings new dreams: expanding our reach, developing comprehensive curricula, and perhaps finding a permanent home beyond my living room. But regardless of where we meet, our mission remains unchanged - empowering women through financial education.

Thank You

To every woman who joined us this year - thank you for your trust, your questions, your stories, and your courage. You are The Purple Wings.

*Shalini Jha*

*January 2022*