How would you define “business”?

Basically making a profit.

What is the toughest thing as a person working in/for business?

I think when you are working in business, you start to lose focus on your passion and personal life. I like taking photos, videos, and doing artsy things — but when you get so involved in business, you start to lose yourself. You work from nine to five–basically the whole day–so when you get home, you don’t feel like doing anything else.

Have you experienced gender inequality as a person working in the business field?

Not personally, but I have felt that certain things were not balanced in a way. At certain events or dinners, the majority are white older men, and it feels like there is not a lot of diversity and commonality between all of us. It just always felt unbalanced to me — but nothing particularly personally done to me.

What are your thoughts on American business today?

I think, to be honest, I have a negative outlook on business because I feel like a lot of people get cheated. The recession affected people so much; especially our generation, everyone is concerned about job security that it puts so much pressure on the younger generation. So, I feel like young people are losing their childhood.

What is your advice on finance to people?

Save money and save early — don’t spend a lot on things that you don’t need.

What does it mean to be a “business woman”?

I think it’s a strong woman who understands the values of working, and a person who is courageous enough to provide for oneself because the world is still very male-dominated.

If you could teach a class, what would it be?

Definitely about personal and family finances. No one teaches you about insurance, budgeting, saving, and etc. There is not one specific class for that, and even if they do, it’s not worth it.

What was the most meaningful class?

I learned a lot in classes but as soon as the exams were done, I kinda just forgot about it for new information to be picked up.

Do you think business and economics are abstract concepts?

I think yes and no. Yes, it’s abstract to where we are in society today because you talk about stocks, bonds, and etc.; and those are meaningless — they are just numbers on a paper. They have values but they are just records. But no it’s not abstract because it is the basic exchanging of goods that has always occurred in human history and forms the basis of economics.

Most importantly, what makes you happy?

I think a lot of things make me happy like simple things: spending time with friends, drinking coffee with people, and spending time with my family. Being content — not wanting more — makes me happy.