Lenka Karadzovova

Being in control of your finances doesn't mean living by rules, but by yourself.
Lenka Karadžovová has been working in the world of finance for over thirty years – from corporate banking to leading investment teams. After years of working with multi-billion-dollar portfolios, she decided to connect the world of numbers with human stories and today helps women gain security, freedom, and self-confidence through financial knowledge.
In the interview, she talks about why women often unnecessarily underestimate themselves, how important the feeling of choice is – and that it's never too late to start.

What was your path to finance and investing? What led you to this particular field?

I gradually got into finance – it wasn't a childhood dream. Rather, I've always enjoyed looking for connections, having clarity in things, and being independent. In banking, I went through a number of positions, led teams, and eventually managed a portfolio worth several billion Czech crowns. But more than numbers, I was always interested in the specific person behind them – their story, motivation, fears. I started investing relatively early myself. It wasn't just about returns, but about a sense of security and freedom. Gradually, I realized that these experiences could also benefit other women who want to control their money and have more options in life.

Do you remember when you decided you wanted to pass on your knowledge – specifically to women?

Yes, there were several such moments, but one stuck with me deeply. My mother was seriously ill, and I left a very well-paying job at the time so I could spend the last year of her life with her. Thanks to my investments, I had a reserve and could choose to do so. I realized how important it is to have choices – and how much I wished other women could have this option too. Without fear, without dependence, but with trust in their own decisions. Then there was a moment with a client – a smart and capable woman who told me during a consultation: "I feel like I'm still floundering a bit." And I thought – I want to change that.

How did you perceive the self-confidence of the women around you when you started your own investment academy?

I perceived a lot of contradictions. On one hand, women who manage family, work, life's ups and downs, and on the other hand, a feeling that "they don't have a head for finance" or that "it's too complicated". Yet, often, all it takes is a safe space and someone to help you get started. Then miracles happen – women suddenly start to believe in themselves, they start asking questions, experimenting, making decisions. And they are great at it.

What topics are most often discussed at your investment academy? What do women find most interesting or surprising?

They mainly ask what exactly to do – how to start, what to avoid, how to set everything up simply and effectively. But we often get to deeper questions too – what money means to me, why I want to invest, what gives me a sense of security. Many women are surprised that they don't need an economics degree to make good decisions. All it takes is knowing what to ask, having a basic orientation, and inner peace. And that can be learned.

Who is the academy for – is it suitable for complete beginners who are just starting with investments?

In the past, I led workshops under the name Investment Academy for Women, but I am developing them further – they are now called Women & Wealth Masterclass Series. They are intended not only for complete beginners but also for women who have already started investing and want to expand their knowledge or gain greater certainty. I want to create an environment where women can ask questions, share, and grow – regardless of what stage they are currently in. Each of us has the right to understand our finances and make decisions about them with confidence.

When do you plan the next course or program? And how can women get involved?

I'm preparing the next program from September 2025, mainly in Prague for now, but I'm also preparing an online version. I put all the information on the website and social media. Anyone who contacts me will receive tailored advice. I know that the first step is sometimes the hardest – but that's the one that can start a new chapter. And I'll be happy to be a guide.

Why do you think women often underestimate the importance of financial education and investments?

I think it's because money isn't talked about enough. We don't learn it in schools, and often not even in families. Many of us have heard that finances are difficult, that men deal with them, that we should mainly be thrifty. This settles deeper within us than we realize. And so, even very intelligent women say they "don't have a head for it." Yet, in reality, they do. They just lacked the opportunity and support. And that's what I'm trying to create – for women to understand that money is not a taboo and that they are not alone in it.

In your experience, how is financial independence connected to a woman's healthy self-confidence?

Financial independence is a huge internal pillar of support. It gives a woman peace of mind, the ability to make decisions freely, not to be dependent on partners, employment, or circumstances. When you know you have a plan, reserves, and direction – you breathe differently. You gain self-confidence, and that's not an act – it's inner peace and the conviction that you can handle it. And that's exactly what I want to help women build.

What is the most common fear or block that holds women back in managing money or investing?

The fear of making a mistake. Of losing everything. And then also shame – that they "should have known something already." Women often tell me they are afraid of being considered foolish. But it's not foolish not to know – it's foolish not to ask. That's why I emphasize an atmosphere of safety and support. When women feel they don't have to be afraid, they quickly start to orient themselves and gain confidence.

Do you have an example of a woman who, thanks to your course or collaboration, made significant progress in finance and self-confidence?

Yes, there are several such stories. For example, a client who, after the sudden death of her husband, was afraid that she "wouldn't be able to handle it all." Her husband had managed everything, and she had no overview of the family finances. Within a few months, we set up a plan and managed her existing assets, started investments, created a budget, and most importantly – she began to believe she could handle it. Today, she manages everything herself and often tells me: "Thanks to you, I understood it."
Other women have opened brokerage accounts and regularly invest in ETFs, stocks, and bonds. Others have ventured into real estate investments. These are the greatest rewards for me.

What, in your opinion, is the first step a woman should take when she wants to take control of her financial situation?

Start by allowing yourself to think about it. Without guilt, without blame. Sit down, look at your situation – what you have, what you don't have, what you want. And then take one concrete first step – read an article, sign up for a workshop, talk to someone you trust. The important thing is not to lose heart. Every situation has a solution. It's never too late to start – even a small change can bring great relief.

Does women's approach to money management change with age?

Yes, definitely. Younger women often want a quick overview and simple solutions, but sometimes they underestimate the long-term impact of their decisions. Women over forty usually feel the need to have things under control, they start to be more interested in the future – retirement, children, assets. And then there is the group of women 50+ who face a big life change – children leave home, retirement is approaching, they re-evaluate what they actually want. At this stage, the desire to finally have clarity in finances and sufficient reserves often arises.

What role do community, sharing, and support among women play in helping them not to be afraid to be their own financial advisors?

A huge one. When women see that they are not alone, that someone else is asking the same questions, that others are dealing with similar concerns, their shyness falls away. Sharing gives courage, inspiration, hope. And most importantly – it brings motivation. Many women tell me that it was precisely thanks to the group and the atmosphere of safety that they even dared to start. And some of them then motivate others themselves. That is the magic of community for me – we support each other and grow together.

What would you say to women who feel it's "too late to start"?

It's never too late. You can start anytime – even with a small amount, even for a limited time. The important thing is to allow yourself to begin. Many women who come to me in their fifties or sixties say they don't know if it makes sense to change anything. And I tell them: Now is the right time. Because now you are doing it for yourself – not out of obligation, not for someone else, but because you deserve security, peace, and the option to choose.

What are you most proud of in your work?

That I manage to connect the world of finance with humanity. That I can show women that investing doesn't just have to be about charts and numbers, but mainly about life, freedom, and self-confidence. And also that many of those who came to me with fears are now leading their own projects, investing, teaching their children, and becoming an inspiration for others. That is true value for me – and more than any professional title.

Lenka Karadžavová's website: https://lenkakaradzovova.cz/

Interview written and processed by: Lenka Petrásková