Investor Journeys—Jacqueline TaylorInvestor Journeys—Jacqueline Taylor

Back to basics

Jacqueline is stripping shares back to basics — by increasing education around investments.

As a former teacher and journalist, she’s combined her love of education, lifestyle, and the stock market in a magazine called Juno.

She’s all about making shares “sexy”—and “simple”—a mantra which sees her blend lifestyle elements such as food, fashion and design with intelligent articles on property performance, financial life planning and KiwiSaver.

“We think it’s really important to have something about KiwiSaver in every edition, because reality is—it is the only investment many people will ever make,” Jacqueline says.

“It’s about educating people so they understand how best to make that work for them.”

Learning curve

She is fascinated by the possibilities shares pose for people starting out. Especially if they learn about them from a young age and start investing early on.

“I must admit investing has been a learning curve for me, but my husband Mike has been a very patient teacher. He’s educated me and is really good at describing things in plain English, so I have been very lucky,” she says.

Jacqueline shares the journey that has brought her full circle—from learning about shares herself to educating others.

Why did you start Juno magazine? Tell us where it all began.

I was living in London with my husband Mike when he floated the idea of starting his own fund and investment company.

When we moved home to New Zealand we put all of our savings into launching his investment company, Pie Funds. As it grew in numbers, Mike decided to add a magazine for his clients — with me as editor. To help inform customers and educate new investors.

I thought ‘I can do better than just educate, I can make investing sexy’. In 2015, alongside a new graphic designer, we relaunched Juno to the retail market—with Ladi6 on the cover.

Can you tell us about your first investment?

My very first investment was 42 Below Vodka. It was a start-up company at the time, which my husband Mike and I both believed in.

It felt good being able to support a New Zealand business and to see it grow from strength to strength. After that the next big investment was setting up the company, PIE Funds.

People often think you need loads of cash to invest. What do you think about this?

A lot of New Zealanders turn to property as their first choice of investment. Often because they can see it and they understand it.

But you can see your investment on the share market too—we had the shares in 42 Below Vodka, and bought 42 Below mini bottles as favours at our wedding.

When you own a share of a company, you support it—there’s a great sense of pride in that.

What do you like about having an investment and why should people try it?

Investing and lifestyle go hand in hand—that’s why we combine the two in Juno magazine.

“Investing can help you achieve your aspirations; Do you want to travel? Do you want to own your own home? Do you want more money to retire?”

Set goals early on—know what you want when you leave university and take your first job, then work toward it.

How can people start investing at an early age?

It’s never too early. A good place to start is save, save, save and build money up. With something like Sharesies, you can also start investing with small amounts and learn as you go.

Investing isn’t just for the super-rich, over time you can build a healthy nest egg, and by the time you reach 40 you will have accumulated a lot of wealth with little effort.

What is the best piece of advice you have given (or been given) about investing?

Get started and be patient, it’s a long-term commitment. The earlier you think about it, the better—imagine how much it could grow if you start at 21.

Also look at your KiwiSaver—make sure you’re in the right fund for you and your life stage. This can have a big impact on your returns.

Thanks, Jacqueline! 🎉