How Today’s Leading Women Master Finance and Investments: Personal Stories and Valuable Lessons
How Today’s Leading Women Master Finance and Investments: Personal Stories and Valuable Lessons
Modern women are actively engaging in the world of finance and investments, whether it’s managing family budgets, business capital, or developing unique art collections. Three Belarusian businesswomen share their approaches to financial matters, what investments mean to them, and why sometimes ‘capital for the soul’ is more important than financial profit.
‘The Most Valuable Assets I Own Are Graphic Works by Artists’
Elena Erashevich, Designer, Decorator, Art Consultant
I believe that the best financial instruments for any person are those that are understandable. If a person understands the real estate market, then it’s a good investment. If they understand the stock market, that’s great too. But if an investment method brings a lot of anxiety and worry, what will it bring in the long term? I invest in values that I understand at the moment, see meaning in, and trust. These include self-development, physical and mental health, and art. The most valuable assets I own are graphic works by artists that I carefully store in frames under glass.
I have a deep appreciation for Belarusian artists; our country has many talents. Therefore, I am developing my art project OFF MUSEUM and organizing art markets in Belarus. By the way, Belarusian artists are valued in the European market, and there are young names in whom I see the potential for investment now. Moreover, buying works by our authors is an investment in the development of the country’s cultural layer. After all, art is what remains after us. Quality art in the home is an investment in the development of children, their inner world, and taste. I always consider this when creating design projects. For example, for a living room for a family with small children, we will choose an absolutely budget-friendly, cute sofa. It can be easily replaced later, but for now, children will be allowed to do everything, and parents will save their nerve cells. But in the same interior, we will select vintage Italian lamps and mirrors, paintings by artists, and ceiling paintings in the living room. This is not only a good financial investment but also an investment in oneself and in raising children. Children who come into daily contact with design, beauty, and aesthetics develop naturally.
‘Belarusian Artists Are Valued in the European Market’
Elena Erashevich
Designer, Decorator, Art Consultant
Nowadays, it doesn’t make sense to invest in walls; you can’t take them with you. However, art, collectible design, and vintage will always be relevant, will not lose their value, and will only increase in price. In Russia, the art market is currently experiencing a very active period: the value of art objects is rapidly increasing, and some have queues of collectors. Of course, there are risks when investing in art. But there are always risks in everything. However, the pleasure, pride, and sense of self-worth grow immediately at the moment of acquiring a piece of art or design. Here we are talking about spiritual values, and therefore, when acquiring, you are not spending, but gaining.
I also constantly invest in professional and general development. The cost of a designer’s work is not just the man-hours spent on a project. The more versatile a designer is, the more interesting, complex, and multi-layered their projects are. In addition to continuous learning in design and attending specialized exhibitions, I spend a lot of time and resources on my comprehensive development. For example, this year I received a diploma in art management. By the way, travel is also an investment in the profession. In my opinion, it is necessary to learn investing. But not because everyone around is doing it. You need to learn to invest, assessing your personal reality and acting in accordance with what you have. First, you need to understand your values, determine life strategies, and realize where you are going. And this means knowing yourself.
‘The Main Investment Should Be in Your Health, Development, and the Future of Children’
Tatyana Lemesheva, Director of Kufar
For me, investments are divided into financial (material) and non-material (education, mental and physical health, relationships, self-knowledge, and hobbies). I have a positive attitude towards financial investments; it’s an opportunity to create passive income (although, undoubtedly, there are certain risks that should be considered). If we talk about personal interest, I prefer to invest my time and energy in communicating with my family, traveling, and gardening. In our family, my husband is responsible for financial investments, but we discuss them together.
According to Veronika Sankovich, Deputy Director for Economics and Investments at the investment company ‘Aigenis,’ investing in art is a unique way to create capital that carries value beyond ordinary financial profit. Unlike more predictable and standard assets such as securities or real estate, art objects have a value that cannot be accurately assessed based on market metrics. Their value is determined more by their uniqueness, history, and cultural significance, as well as the perceived value to a limited circle of connoisseurs and admirers. Such investing becomes a real contribution to the cultural heritage. Supporting art, especially local artists, helps preserve and develop the country’s cultural layer, which acquires special significance in the context of long-term heritage and the formation of aesthetic taste. Additionally, such investing can be considered a kind of ‘capital for the soul’—a way to strengthen one’s connection with art, develop aesthetic sensibility, and enrich one’s surroundings. Unlike passive income sources such as stocks, investments in art require involvement, making them an important part of personal development. Art not only retains its value in the long term but also becomes part of life, reflecting the values and views of the owner.
