Giving her gift to empower women
Shirlz Russell knows what it feels like to be at ground zero and have the strength to rebuild brick by brick.
Shirlz is the founder of Build Your F’empire an online platform that is helping women realise the retirement of their dreams through educating, supporting and mentoring women to create future financial foundations for themselves. Online groups, courses, and one on one mentoring sessions are just some of the things she has created.
Build Your F’empire offers an eight- week course to help all women take control of their lives and become financially independent.
Shirlz has always had a passion for property investing and by her early thirties she owned three houses.
However, it was an unfortunate business arrangement that saw her lose everything.
“I found myself back at ground zero. It is this humbling experience that I now use as a source of power, showing others that, despite adversity and the feeling that there is ‘no hope’, it is still possible to rise from the ashes and take financial control of your life again, just like I have.
“In my own experience and for most of the women I meet with, we are given the short end of the stick at every step when it comes to finances. The gender pay gap, motherhood and subsequent diminished superannuation balances, not to mention divorce, all leave women in a vulnerable financial position.”
In her role as a property coach, she identified a massive gap in the market between helping women reach their financial goals, through property investing and those who were struggling to pay their bills each week.
“This led me to develop a special eight-week course, covering topics such as the role our emotions play in our relationship with money, through budgeting and goal setting, with some clever money management tips thrown in, to help women take control of their lives and become financially independent.”
Shirlz believes it is important to continue to push for gender equality in all areas of society, including the workplace, politics, and the community, and to work towards eliminating the barriers that prevent women from achieving their full potential.
“I love that we now have the ability to pursue any career we choose, to make our own choices about our lives and our bodies, and for the growing acceptance and support for women in leadership roles. Additionally, the modern world has seen significant progress in the fight for gender equality, and I take great pride in being a part of that movement.
“Despite progress in many areas, there are still many challenges facing women today. Some of the main issues that need to be addressed to improve the lives of women include:
“Gender pay gap, lack of representation, sexual harassment and violence, reproductive rights, maternity and paternity leave & care work - women continue to do the majority of care work, whether it is unpaid care work or paid care work, which is often low-paid and insecure.”
Bravery for Shirlz is taking risks, backing yourself and daring to pursue your dreams, even when others talk you down.
She said she has had to tackle her fears to rebuild the life she has today.
“At a time when I had absolutely nothing, I could have let myself drown in despair, but I somehow found the courage to fight back and use this experience to fuel my desires and tackle my own fears head on.
“Right now, bravery for me is overcoming the fear of being successful. This may sound rather strange but having witnessed my parents lose everything and then going through this same process myself, I need to remind myself that I am worthy of my success and not let that fear stop me from achieving my goals. By focusing on empowering other women, I am in turn empowering myself,” she said.
You can connect with Shirlz via her website .