The Point Loma Nazarene University Investment Society, in collaboration with the Women in Business Club (WIB), organized a “Bouquet and Budgeting” event at the Fermanian Conference Center on February 18th, from 7 to 8 PM.
As the event kicked off, students received flowers, newspapers, and ties to craft bouquets. The venue was arranged with a table set for flower arranging, accompanied by snacks such as bottled water, popcorn, Starburst, and Skittles for attendees to enjoy. The atmosphere was vibrant, with students actively participating in bouquet making and socializing.
Leah Boles, a second-year business management major and president of WIB, made brief announcements before introducing the main speaker, Jalyn Lupo, a financial advisor at Westpac Wealth Partners Firm.
During her presentation, Lupo discussed various strategies for building wealth and making informed financial decisions. She emphasized the significance of early investment in life, focusing on savings planning, retirement, and investment. A key theme of her talk was the importance of taking control of one’s financial future and beginning such efforts immediately.
Avery HSU, a second-year finance major and president of the Finance Investment Association, stated that the idea for “Bouquet and Budgeting” was inspired by Valentine’s Day.
“With the holiday associated with February, we thought flower arranging would uniquely capture people’s interest,” HSU commented.
HSU also expressed a desire to showcase the club to women on campus to attract new members. The collaboration with WIB created opportunities to broaden the membership of both the Financial Investment Association and the Women in Business Club.
HSU hoped the event would not only provide entertainment but also motivate students to participate in future club activities. She aspired for students to gain valuable insights and empowerment from the advice shared.
“It’s never too late to start something new, but understanding essential financial habits during college is crucial for achieving long-term goals,” HSU noted. “As our finance professor says, your greatest asset is your youth. Utilize the value of time to make compound interest work in your favor and establish your financial empire.”
She emphasized the necessity for students to grasp financial concepts during university education, as budgeting is a critical part of daily life.
“You can’t even quantify how often finances are discussed at this stage of life,” HSU explained. “Whether you’re saving money by skipping meals out or being questioned by the bank about your car payments, understanding your budget is fundamental to shaping your life.”
Boles stated that the newly formed club aims to empower students through mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities.
“By inviting guest speakers, we seek to offer learning experiences not only from female business students but also from other prominent female business leaders through engaging events and workshops,” Boles said. “We aim to provide networking opportunities for students with industry experts.”
Boles emphasized the importance of women in the business world, noting that empowering women in business can bring diverse ideas and perspectives to companies.
The goal of the “Bouquet and Budgeting” event, according to Boles, was to involve students in the Financial Investment Association.
“We aim for students to learn about the finance club and acquire budgeting and financial management skills,” Boles stated. “We hope this event helps students gain a deeper understanding of achieving financial success.”
Ava Morrow, a first-year accounting major who attended the event, found Lupo’s speech insightful, especially as she sought a deeper understanding of investment.
“She presented a clear plan that makes it attainable to get started,” Morrow shared. “As she mentioned, investing is not solely for men—women can do it too, and I resonate with that perspective.”
