Meet Tina

I help people understand money and finance. The inspiration for Napkin Finance was my own struggles as an MBA student at Harvard Business School. I come from a liberal arts background and it was very difficult keeping up with the former bankers and consultants in finance classes. I am a visual thinker, as are many other people. For my own purposes, I have always sketched images to help break down complex topics, especially dealing with money and finance. I started sketching different topics on napkins as a personal tool and passion project, but saw that the napkins seemed to resonate with quite a few people. What started with one napkin has grown into hundreds of illustrations.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Time with my family!

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Perfectionism.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Lack of humbleness.

Which living person do you most admire and why?

Both my parents. They have gone through life with determination and love and have always been there for the people who have needed them.

If you didn't have to consider finances, how would your work life change?

I would not change a thing.

What does family mean to you?

Everything.

What's your humble brag? The one thing that you really think people should know you've excelled at but don't want to appear showy

We have built an amazing company in a very short amount of time. Our reach (over 80 million people in the U.S.) is remarkable given our size.

Do you ever suffer from Imposter Syndrome? If you do, how do you overcome it?

Sometimes. But I look around and think that if someone else can do it, why can't I. What I do feel is very lucky to have the opportunities that have come my way.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Read people's minds.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Helping empower people to make better financial decisions.

What do you consider your biggest failure?

Not always enjoying the moment.

How has success and failure defined the person that you are today?

It's hard to not define yourself by both. I think they balance me out since I have plenty of each :)

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Being far away from people that I love.

How do you feel when someone asks you to be their mentor?

I am honored.

What traits do you most value in your friends?

Humor, loyalty, and knowing how to enjoy life.

Who are your heroes in real life?

Oprah, Sara Blakely and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

What advice would you give to your 25 year old self?

Enjoy the present.

How does wearing lipstick make you feel?

Polished and empowered!

What's your favorite Bossy Cosmetics product?

Definitely, Bossy Gloss in #Blush.  It shimmers ever so slightly and makes me feel prepared to conquer all of my fears!