In this Interview series, we feature amazing and inspiring women who are willing to talk about money. Our goal is to break the taboo around money, share experiences and learn from our community. See more examples here.

Hello Florence!

We met a few weeks ago at Huckletree during an investing workshop. We love what you do for women about self love, body confidence and mental health.

“Having my own money and being able to live the life I live currently without relying financially on anyone else.”

Could you please tell us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Florence and I’m from London. I’m currently working as a freelance barista and I have a couple of instagram projects I’m working on on the side. One is swift eats and one will be announced soon!

What inspired you to launch Swift Eats?

Swift eats initially started as an outlet for me to talk about food and exercise as it was something I’d recently got into when I started it 5 years ago. It’s only in the past couple of years that Swift Eats has become about mental health, body image and self love. I realised after going through disordered eating and body image, struggles with depression and anxiety that I totally wasn’t alone in it, and so I started sharing my story online. It was really cathartic for me and then I started getting all these messages from women saying that me sharing helped them with their own issues and struggles. And that’s what it’s all about now.

What are you passionate about?

I’m really passionate about being the best version of yourself, mental health and empowering women.

What was the biggest lesson you’ve learnt in your career?

If you don’t ask you don’t get. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for what you want. You might get told no, but you might get exactly what you’re after.

Oh and when you make a mistake, the best thing you can do is be honest, admit you fucked up and then go from there.

What’s your relationship like with money and personal finance?

I think it’s pretty good. I’m learning more and more how emotional money is and how much fear and shame and all that stuff is tied up in it. So I’m looking at that at the moment and trying to learn how to be smarter with my money and plan for the future

What does financial independence mean to you?

Having my own money and being able to live the life I live currently without relying financially on anyone else.

What’s the one thing you indulge in?

Food! I don’t eat out a ton, but I cook loads at home and I always try and buy the best ingredients where possible. Ideally local, sustainable and organic. It tastes so much better and it’s so much better for the environment

What is the best financial decision you have ever made? And what is the greatest long term investment?

Honestly probably coming to the Vestpod talk! I haven’t invested in the typical money sense but my best long term investment has been paying to go to therapy for the last 4-5 years. I feel like a totally different person and I feel much more set up for my future now.

Have you ever experienced a financial epiphany? A sort of wake-up call, where you suddenly think - “I must start doing things differently”?

When I moved into my own flat in January after living at home I realised I really needed to start looking at what I was spending. At home my rent was minimal so I could kind of do whatever I wanted with my income as most of it was disposable. I didn’t realise how good I had it haha. Now I need to budget big time - rent in London is a killer, coupled with bills etc, so I have significantly less money for fun stuff. But I’m so much happier now and it feels great being totally financially independent.

What is Vestpod for you?

It’s like your super financially savvy older sister.

Own up. Have you made any major financial faux-pas?

Yeah I didn’t save any money whilst I was living at home! Haha. I don’t regret it though - it allowed me to work part time and I had fun.

What do you wish you had done earlier in terms of financial planning?

Educated myself more! I’d also have opened a lifetime ISA sooner.

Favourite book & podcast?

My favourite book is whatever I’m currently reading - which is Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski. It’s so interesting and I think everyone with a vulva or who interacts sexually with them should read it!

I don't really have a favourite podcast but I enjoy listening to love stories by Dolly Alderton, ReWilding by Ella Grace Denton and anything my best friend sends me.

Where can we find you?

Instagram @swift_eats

Website: http://www.swifteats.co.uk/