Rabat – Moroccan entrepreneur, investor, and financial expert Hasnae Taleb has shattered glass ceilings in the finance industry, becoming the first Arab and African woman to be nominated as “The Shewolf of Nasdaq” by the New York-based American stock exchange.
Morocco World News spoke with Taleb to learn more about her journey in the world of finance, which began with a curiosity that quickly transformed into a deep passion that made her the youngest and only Arab woman in her position as an equity trader at Nasdaq at the age of 21.
“To be honest, I never knew that this is what I wanted to do in life. I went to the US with the idea of ‘The American Dream.’ When I got to college to do my BBA, I pursued Business Administration and I had no idea what I wanted to do next but the good news is that my mind was always open,” she said.
From curiosity to success
Reflecting on her journey, Taleb recalled the day she attended a Macroeconomics class and her professor spoke about the stock market, and how one can sell and buy stocks from home.
“I was so curious to learn more. I went home and I started searching about the topic the whole night until this became an addiction. I would go every evening after my class and start searching and learning,” Taleb said with enthusiasm.
She soon started trading from her laptop, as her determination and persistent pursuit of knowledge led her to become an accomplished trader, demonstrating remarkable skills and a thirst for continuous improvement.
“After several interviews, math tests, and technical analysis tests [with a Wall Street fund manager] I made it to Nasdaq Stock Exchange as the youngest female and Arab equity trader in Wall Street,” she explained.
When asked about the challenges she faced as a young female entrepreneur and trader, Taleb highlighted the contrasting experiences between different countries. In the United States, she found herself surrounded by “dreamers and executors” and a supportive environment where age was merely a number.
She argued that countries like the US, Canada, Norway, South Korea, and Rwanda focus on women and youth empowerment through various programs and initiatives.
On the other hand, Taleb acknowledged the lack of opportunities in certain Arab countries. “That’s what pushed me to move to countries where women and youth are being empowered in various ways,” she said.
Read also: Moroccan Hasnae Taleb, First Arab, African Woman Nominated as Shewolf of Nasdaq
Taleb shared her approach to staying informed and up-to-date with the latest developments in the financial industry, including subscribing to major business publications, as well as tracking the buying and selling activity of the leading value investors.
When it comes to risk management, Taleb emphasized the importance of “defensive investing and risk control.” She advises investors to be cautious, prioritize good value and a substantial margin for error, and be aware of “what they don’t know and can’t control.”
In addition, the young entrepreneur stressed the importance of viewing the future as a “probability distribution” and investing accordingly. She also stressed the need to “act contrary to the herd when it’s at extremes” and “be aggressive when the market is low and cautious when it’s high.”
Empowering women in the financial world
Offering advice to young women interested in pursuing a career in finance, Taleb underlined the importance of learning the necessary skills, such as accounting, as well as gaining experience by working at different businesses.
She also highlighted the need to accumulate knowledge by interacting with people in the industry, noting that learning the fundamentals of business is key to having a better understanding of investments.
In addition, she encouraged young women to save money early on, stressing that “every dollar saved is worth much more later on.”
Looking ahead, the Moroccan entrepreneur said that her goal for the future is to inspire others and help women unleash their potential.
In particular, she aims to share her knowledge and experiences to empower women and demonstrate that success can be achieved as long as one shows dedication.
“You don’t need to be a pop-star, or copy the Kardashians to be successful. You can be successful at anything you do as long as you do it well and learn the basics of financial literacy and investment.”
Financial success requires “careful planning, perseverance, and patience,” Taleb insisted, urging anyone who dreams of being successful or financially stable to stay committed to their goals and work hard, even in the face of the most daunting challenges.
“With time and effort, it’s possible to achieve financial success and build wealth,” she concluded.
