Malia Gudenkauf’s Little Miss Finance: Making Personal Finance Approachable for Youth

Empowering Financial Literacy with Malia Gudenkauf’s Little Miss Finance

Malia Gudenkauf, a Cedar Rapids native, is revolutionizing personal finance with her brand, Little Miss Finance. Originally kindled during her studies at the University of Northern Iowa, her passion for financial literacy has become a driving force for change on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Finding Financial Literacy in College

The journey towards financial literacy for Ms. Gudenkauf began with on-campus fliers for financial literacy classes, led by the notable Crazy Man in the Pink Wig, Mike Finley. As she neared graduation, she was struck by her own lack of knowledge about saving and personal finance.

A Passionate Pursuit of Personal Finance

Personal finance quickly grew from a mere interest to a full-blown passion for Ms. Gudenkauf. Eager to share her newfound knowledge, her first audiences were her mother and sister. Her exploration into the world of personal finance revealed a glaring issue – a lack of relatable figures for younger individuals, especially women.

Transforming Personal Finance into a Fun, Engaging Topic

Ms. Gudenkauf’s goal was to make personal finance young, fun, and female-friendly – reflecting her own identity. She wanted to demonstrate that while personal finance is a serious matter, it can also be approachable and enjoyable.

From Corporate Job to Full-time Advocate

After graduating from UNI in 2018 with degrees in finance, organizational leadership, and supply chain management, she took on a role at Collins Aerospace. In 2022, she took the daring step of leaving her corporate job to fully devote herself to Little Miss Finance, a decision made possible by her strong network in Cedar Rapids.

Living by Her Financial Principles

Ms. Gudenkauf’s financial principles are not just preached, but practiced. She was able to eliminate substantial student debt and save up an emergency fund to support her transition from a corporate role to being her own boss at Little Miss Finance.

Exploding Online Presence with Little Miss Finance

Transforming Little Miss Finance into a full-time job led to a significant increase in her social media followers. Her TikTok account now boasts over 36,000 followers, with her Instagram account not far behind. She leverages these platforms to share easy-to-understand personal finance advice.

Contributing to the Community

Ms. Gudenkauf is deeply involved in her community, frequently holding speaking engagements catered to women and youth. Some of her recent engagements include the Mayor’s Youth Conference (MYC), providing education with Kirkwood Community College’s Workplace Learning Connection program, and working with Junior Achievement.

Advice for Financial Freedom Seekers

Her biggest piece of advice for women seeking financial freedom: “Define what success looks like to you, or you will go broke chasing someone else’s version of success.”