REVOLUTIONISING FINANCE WITH PURPOSE Shreya Mittal’s Journey with Happequity
In the financial wellness landscape, there are individuals who not only excel in their roles but also drive innovation and impact in the industry. Shreya Mittal shines as a trailblazer, distinguished by her exceptional expertise and innovative approach. As a seasoned professional in the realm of financial reporting and analysis and CEO of Happequity, Shreya is dedicated to revolutionising the world of investment and finance. With a passion for empowering individuals and organisations with financial knowledge, she has established herself as a thought leader. Her journey is a testament to her dedication, expertise, and exceptional leadership skills, all driving her commitment to shaping the future of financial wellness.
A Journey of Impact and Growth
Shreya’s journey as a woman and as an entrepreneur has been deeply intertwined by balancing multiple roles, expectations, and responsibilities. She started Happequity with the belief that finance doesn’t have to be intimidating—it can bring joy, empowerment, and long-term growth. Through her entrepreneurial journey, Shreya has navigated numerous challenges and breakthroughs, each shaping her into a more resilient, empathetic, and committed leader. Her commitment extends beyond her business to creating a culture where people can thrive.
Happequity: Simplifying Finance
Happequity is a pioneering financial services and education venture dedicated to simplifying finance and investments for individuals, institutions, and young learners. The company’s offerings span three key areas:
- Financial Advisory & Investment Planning: Tailored strategies for wealth creation and smart investing
- Educational Programs & Internships: Practical financial literacy and market exposure for students
- Corporate Engagements: Training and workshops for businesses to foster a finance-conscious culture.
At the heart of Happequity’s philosophy is quite simple: finance should bring happiness, not stress.
Financial Landscape in the Current Scenario
The financial services industry is currently dynamic, fast-paced, and increasingly digital. With rising awareness about investments and financial independence, individuals are seeking trusted partners who can demystify complex concepts. This shift has created a huge surge in demand for financial literacy, placing the industry in an exciting and opportune space.
The Evolution in Startup Ecosystem
Gone are the days when funding and mentorship were difficult to access. Today, the landscape is vastly different, with a plethora of accelerators, incubators, and investor interest providing a supportive environment for startups to flourish. The transformation is also cultural. Society’s perception has evolved, recognising the potential of startups to drive innovation and create meaningful change.
Turning Barriers into Stepping Stones
As a woman entrepreneur, Shreya’s journey has been marked by universal struggles as well as challenges. The entrepreneurial journey itself is tough with multiple hurdles. She notes that women sometimes have to work harder to be taken seriously, requiring additional efforts to establish credibility and overcome subtle biases. However, Shreya’s journey has taught her to transform these barriers into stepping stones. Instead of focusing on what’s unequal, she chose to focus on what’s possible.
Serving Diverse Clientele
Happequity serves a diverse range of clients, including students, working professionals, corporates, and institutions. A notable highlight of their work is collaborating with colleges and universities to shape young minds through internships and financial literacy programmes. Witnessing students take their first steps into the finance world with confidence is one of its major rewards.
Staying Ahead of the Industry Trends
Constant learning is the way to keep pace with the evolving market trends. Happequity prioritises research, attends industry forums, and stays connected with both global and local financial movements. At the same time, Shreya emphasises the importance of listening closely to clients as their evolving needs provide valuable insights into market directions. By combining external awareness with internal feedback, Happequity remains agile and responsive to market demands.
Significance of Research & Development
R&D plays a crucial role in Happequity’s remarkable growth. The company actively invests in building new tools, frameworks, and programmes that address future needs. For Happequity, R&D extends beyond technology to encompass process innovation, enhance client experiences, and create impactful learning models.
The Path towards True Equality
According to Shreya, while progress has been made towards equality, the journey is far from over. Today, women are no longer expected to “settle” for less. At the same time, she also notes that women leaders often face biased judgements, being perceived as either overly competent or insufficient. True equality will come when women are simply seen as leaders—without prefixes or biases.
Cultivating a Focused and Enthusiastic Workforce
Happequity’s approach revolves around creating a sense of purpose. By ensuring that every team member understands the “why” behind their work, the company fosters a deep connection to the company’s mission. Through celebrating small wins, encouraging creativity, and empowering individuals with project ownership, the company fosters an ideal culture. Enthusiasm comes naturally when people feel they are part of something meaningful.
The Key to a Happy Team
Shreya believes that keeping employees content is not just important but absolutely critical. An unhappy team cannot create happy clients. To ensure employee satisfaction, Happequity offers flexibility, continuous learning opportunities, and nurtures a culture of open communication. Further, recognition and trust go a long way in keeping teams motivated.
A Legacy of Inspiration
Shreya draws inspiration from women leaders across industries who have built businesses with integrity and vision. To those who look up to her, she conveys a powerful message: don’t wait for the perfect moment to start. Begin with what you have, where you are, and focus on consistency. According to her, consistent efforts will take you further than perfection.
Women’s Participation in Entrepreneurship
Shreya views the increasing participation of women in entrepreneurship. Increasingly, women are embracing entrepreneurship as a way to create independence and impact. However, she emphasises the need to build stronger ecosystems that support women-led businesses, including access to mentorship, funding, and professional networks.
Road Ahead
Happequity is poised to expand its reach across India and take its educational programs to more schools and universities. The company also plans to introduce digital-first solutions that make financial literacy accessible to everyone. In the long term, Shreya envisions Happequity becoming synonymous with financial happiness, empowering people to live fulfilling lives.
Jewels in the Crown
Happequity is proud of its notable milestones, including the successful training and mentorship of hundreds of interns, collaborations with leading educational institutions and recognition for its innovative integration of finance with wellbeing. However, the company’s most significant achievements lie in the transformative impact it has on students and clients.
Giving Back to the Community
Happequity’s CSR initiatives are rooted in education. The company actively conducts free sessions on financial literacy for students and underprivileged communities. Shreya and her team believe financial awareness is a powerful tool for empowerment, and they are committed to spreading this knowledge beyond commercial boundaries and creating a lasting impact on society.
Closing Message
Shreya has a message for all readers: finance is not just about numbers – it’s about choices you make, the freedom you enjoy, and the happiness you derive. As an entrepreneur, she encourages readers to invest not only in markets but also in knowledge, in people, and themselves. “True wealth lies in these intangible yet invaluable assets”, concludes Shreya.
