30 March 2026
Genistar
Financial Education
Leadership is a journey of growth, learning, and stepping into new opportunities. At Genistar, we proudly celebrate our young leaders who are developing their potential and transforming both their lives and the lives of those around them.
Achieving Genistar’s mission of helping people secure a better financial future requires passionate individuals who are willing to learn and share their expertise. The stories of our emerging leaders highlight exactly how powerful financial education can be when paired with mentorship, youth and ambition.
Through hard work, resilience, and a desire to help others, these young professionals are changing the landscape of financial services. They come from incredibly diverse backgrounds, proving that you don’t need to be a maths genius or a finance expert to build a successful career. By sharing their stories, we want to inspire you to take control of your own financial journey and perhaps even discover a new career path along the way.
Why the Next Generation Matters
Nurturing young talent is central to the Genistar vision. When young adults take charge of their financial destinies, they bring fresh perspectives, high energy, and relatable experiences to our business. By empowering the next generation, we ensure that our expert financial guidance remains accessible and relevant for decades to come.
Inspiring Journeys of Growth
Curtis Greenidge: Bridging the Financial Literacy Gap
Curtis built a successful career in technology, consistently earning promotions and climbing the corporate ladder. From an external perspective, he was doing incredibly well. However, his financial reality told a different story. Every month his salary came in, but he struggled to see any lasting results from his hard work.
"That led to me having a conversation with myself in the mirror and really starting to think about how can I upskill myself in this area of personal finance?"
Curtis quickly realised that if he lacked this fundamental knowledge, countless others must be facing the exact same struggle.
He joined Genistar to help families understand debt management, emergency funds, and the rule of 72. His lack of a formal finance degree never held him back. Instead, the comprehensive training provided the financial acumen he needed to succeed. Today, he confidently creates strategies that help clients pay off their mortgages quicker and achieve lasting financial freedom.
Alecs De Leon: From Poet to Financial Planner
Alecs never considered herself a numbers person. She studied English literature and creative writing, dreaming of publishing her poetry. Following her university studies, she faced a harsh reality: she had accumulated £75,000 in student debt.
Knowing she urgently needed a financial game plan, she turned to her mother, an established Genistar leader. Her mother offered simple, direct advice:
"Come and work for Genistar. Really give it a try and put in your hours."
Alecs took the leap.
Utilising our proven success system and fast-track workbooks, Alecs transformed her financial outlook. She initially worried that her peers would not find insurance or budgeting interesting. But she quickly discovered the exact opposite. Speaking to eager, forward-thinking young adults, Alecs found that her friends deeply understood the necessity of budgeting and investing. Now, she actively helps her generation navigate their finances with confidence.
James Berganio: Making Finance Human and Relatable
James works full-time as an IT developer and builds his Genistar business on a part-time basis. Growing up, he watched his mother work tirelessly as a croupier, taking on night shifts, weekends, and holidays just to keep the family afloat. That experience taught him a crucial lesson: working hard alone does not guarantee financial security.
"When I started learning about financial education, it completely changed my perspective," James explains. "It wasn't just about making money. It was about understanding how money works."
By sharing his journey on social media, James makes personal finance highly accessible. He loves showing people that anyone can build a business on the side while working a regular job.
"When young people see someone who has a normal job, who's building something on the side and who's learning along the way, it makes it feel more achievable."
His relatable approach breaks down intimidating concepts and empowers young families to save with purpose and build real assets.
Bentess Cual: Finding Freedom and Purpose
Bentess arrived in the UK in April 2021 on a skilled worker visa. As a dedicated full-time nurse, she frequently worked 21 days straight without a break, grabbing every extra shift she could find. Her intense schedule left her exhausted and craving a better work-life balance.
After becoming a Genistar client, she attended a Next Gen event in Bristol where she heard inspiring stories from our leadership team. Shortly after, she joined Genistar under the guidance of her mentor, Dolly Bright.
Bentess credits her rapid success to four specific principles she calls the "4 Cs":
Confidence: Confidently advocating for financial education for her loved ones.
Communicating clearly: Ensuring her clients completely understand their financial options.
Coachable: Actively listening to her mentors and following their proven guidance.
Channel of blessing: Dedicating her life to helping friends and clients secure their financial futures.
Since joining Genistar, Bentess says she has found true time freedom and has not needed to take a single extra nursing shift.
Lessons from the Next Generation
These four stories shor that ambition, a willingness to learn, and the guidance of strong mentors can completely reshape your professional trajectory.
Our young leaders prove that you don’t need to be an expert to start taking control of your financial wellbeing. You simply need to be coachable and willing to ask the right questions. They are learning simple but powerful financial concepts and then paying that knowledge forward to help others succeed.
Stepping Into Your Own Season of Becoming
Curtis, Alecs, James, and Bentess have each embraced their own "season of becoming," transforming personal challenges into thriving careers that positively impact their communities.
Are you ready to improve your own financial literacy, explore a rewarding career change, or secure a better financial future for your family? We provide the tools, mentorship, and transparent systems you need to succeed.
Reach out to the Genistar team today to discover how you can step into your full potential and join our growing community of financial educators.
__________
The information provided on this website is for educational or informational purposes only. Please refer to our legal disclaimer for further information.
Share article
About the authors
Our mission is to help people secure a better financial future through financial education and the opportunity to own your own business. Our financial plan can set you on the road towards financial freedom.
Our Most Recent Articles
Financial Planning
Your 90-Day Becoming Plan
30 Mar 2026
Personal Stories
Voices of Genistar: The Next Generation Leading the Way
30 Mar 2026
Money Management
Quiz: Do Your Finances Need a Spring Clean?
Get a snapshot of your money habits and uncover easy wins to improve your financial health.
30 Mar 2026
Genistar
Three Years of Award-Winning Excellence
Genistar Recognised with Multiple Awards at the Vitality EA Awards 2024/25
18 Dec 2025