Meet Liliya Strong | Investor & Money Mentor for Women

We had the good fortune of connecting with Liliya Strong and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Liliya, how does your business help the community?
Yes, absolutely—my work is deeply focused on helping the community, especially women who want to become financially independent.

I’m a private investor and the author of Stocks for Women, and my passion is teaching women—whether they’re already independent or striving to be—how to confidently invest in the stock market. My book is the main vehicle for this mission, but I also share free daily investing tips, educational posts, and relatable guidance on my Instagram blog, @stocksforwomen.

Beyond that, I occasionally speak at events, sharing my personal story—from arriving in the U.S. as an immigrant with no English and negative net worth, to reaching all my financial goals by my mid-30s thanks to disciplined stock investing.

My goal is to bring awareness that if I could do it, so can others. I truly believe that stocks—because of their power to compound and grow tax-efficiently—are one of the best tools women can use to break free from financial dependency, whether on a partner, family, or job. Empowering women through financial literacy isn’t just my work—it’s my purpose.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My passion is investing in stocks. I’ve been doing it professionally for over 15 years—first as an equity research analyst at a hedge fund, and now independently for myself. I live off the income I earn from dividends and stock appreciation, working from home and doing what I love.

But the journey here wasn’t easy.

I came to America in 2008 with just $600 in my pocket. I had no college degree, no friends, and didn’t speak a word of English. I worked as a waitress while learning the language, studying for college exams, and navigating life completely on my own. My parents didn’t believe I’d make it, so they cut me off financially. I didn’t even have money for a winter coat.

What kept me going? My mindset. I told myself: “Just give it one year. Do your absolute best and see what happens.” That mindset changed everything.

One year later, I got accepted to Columbia University. It was life-changing. While there, I joined Smart Women Securities, an all-female investment club that opened my eyes to the world of finance. It was the first time I saw women openly talk about stocks, strategy, and wealth-building—and I realized, this world isn’t just for men.

That club led to internships and eventually a job as an equity research analyst at a hedge fund. My role was to find high-quality investment ideas outside the U.S.—and the competition was fierce. I was the only woman at my firm, and one of the few in the industry. You had to constantly prove your value or risk losing your job.

What helped me succeed? I embraced being different. I educated myself daily, listening to finance audiobooks, studying markets, and learning from history—not headlines. I wasn’t afraid to ask questions or to look up every term I didn’t understand. That same persistence I used to learn English, I now applied to the markets.

After years of success, I made the decision to leave the hedge fund world and retire in my 30s. Now I manage my own money and live off passive income—but more importantly, I’ve found a new mission.

I wrote Stocks for Women to help other women start investing. So many smart, curious, capable women hold themselves back because they think the stock market is “not for them.” I’m here to say: it absolutely is. You don’t need a finance degree or a high-paying job. You just need the right mindset, a little guidance, and the courage to start.

This book is my way of giving back. I plan to donate all proceeds to charities that support women and girls

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Absolutely! If my best friend was visiting Miami for a week, I’d make sure they experienced the perfect mix of relaxation, culture, and that luxurious insider vibe that makes this city so special.

Day 1 – City & Culture with a View:
We’d start with a walking tour of Downtown, taking in the sights around Bayfront Park—great skyline views and ocean breeze. Then head to the Pérez Art Museum (PAMM) for contemporary art and maybe even a glass of rosé on the terrace. After that, a long, leisurely lunch at Zuma, where the waterfront view is just as delicious as the sushi.

Day 2 – Spa + Beach Bliss:
We’d spend the day unwinding at the Carillon Wellness Resort. I love their thermal hydrotherapy circuit and beach access—it’s a total reset for the body and mind. We’d grab a healthy lunch at their oceanfront restaurant, ideally outside in the sunshine.

If time allows, the rest of the week would include a boat cruise around the bay to see all the stunning waterfront homes and superyachts.

Miami has so many layers, but for me, the best memories come from good conversations over beautiful meals with the ocean just steps away.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
If I had to name just one person who lit the spark in me—it would be my mom.
Back in Russia, long before it was common or even encouraged, she was quietly investing in stocks. No big talk. Just quiet, steady confidence. Watching her as a little girl, I didn’t realize it then, but she was planting seeds—of courage, curiosity, and independence.

Later, at Columbia, I found Smart Women Securities—an all-female investment club that made me feel seen. For the first time, I was surrounded by women who loved numbers, strategy, and finance just as much as I did. They showed me that success in investing wasn’t about being loud or flashy—it was about being prepared, informed, and bold in your own way.

This journey has never been just mine. It’s been shaped by the women who walked before me—and now I try to be that woman for someone else. My passion for teaching, mentoring, and simplifying money isn’t just a hobby—it’s how I give back.

Website: https://stocksforwomen.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stocksforwomen/links/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liliya-r-strong-1564542a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553696798472#

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stocksforwomen-dz3ni