Today we’d like to introduce you to Mahi Patel.
Mahi, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The inspiration for Words2Wealth came from my father. During car rides back from school, dinners, and random moments, he slowly taught me and my brother basic financial topics that we would never have learned anywhere else. He taught us how a credit card works, the different types of bank accounts, how to budget and more. It wasn’t anything super complicated, but it was concepts that were very important to know as we started growing up. I realized that though I have the opportunity to learn all this, none of these concepts are introduced to students in my local school system. This inspired me to take initiative to teach young students about the same topics my dad taught me about. I believe that these are topics that should be taught in elementary school because as you enter middle school you start using your own money for some purchases and gain a little bit of financial independence. The students need this knowledge before they start building financial habits. I started thinking about the best way to present the material because I like learning in a hands-on way compared to the traditional presentation-lecture style. This led me to create children’s books with interactive games inside. Throughout the books, there are links and QR codes that lead to games that reinforce the students’ learning in a fun and interactive way. Now, I take these books to schools and organizations in my community to teach elementary school students and deliver the education they deserve.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Along the way, it has been difficult to gain the attention and response from potential partners. Many times my emails and calls won’t get responses due to a lack of recognition. As I have partnered with more and more schools, this struggle has decreased but still exists. As a high school student, it was definitely hard to gain credibility but every workshop and community interaction helps change that in a tiny way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Words2Wealth is a financial literacy initiative focused on teaching elementary school students the basics of personal finance through interactive and engaging lessons. I specialize in making financial concepts that are often seen as complicated such as banking, saving, budgeting, and responsible credit card use easy for young students to understand. To do this, I wrote and illustrated two children’s books, Bella’s Bank Adventure and Penny and the Credit Card Crew, which incorporate games and activities that allow students to learn by doing rather than simply listening. What I am most proud of is being able to turn an idea into something that has made a real impact in my community. Through workshops at schools, youth programs, and community organizations, I have been able to help over 300 students gain financial knowledge that many people do not receive until much later in life and also have been able to distribute more that 550 copies of my books so far. What sets Words2Wealth apart is the combination of storytelling, technology, and hands-on learning. Instead of relying on traditional lectures, students interact with characters, complete activities, and play educational games through QR codes embedded in the books. This creates an experience that is both educational and enjoyable, helping students retain the information and build a strong foundation for their financial future.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The lack of financial literacy education is definitely gaining recognition as a significant problem in our community, so I believe that in the next 5-10 years more educational organizations and hopefully government policy will be introduced to incorporate this education into our elementary schools so our students can learn these important concepts before they start building habits.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://words2wealth.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/words2_wealth/
