Sharesies: Making Investing Accessible Through Purpose-Driven Principles
- sonderpreneur
- Jan 5
- 3 min read
Sharesies, an investing platform founded in 2017, emerged from a vision to democratize investing in New Zealand, empowering anyone to grow wealth with as little as $5. The founders—Brooke Roberts, Sonya Williams, and Leighton Roberts—shared a belief that investing should be inclusive and that financial markets should be open to everyone, not just the wealthy. Driven by this purpose, they built Sharesies as a platform to make investing approachable, transparent, and accessible.
Founding Principles: Accessibility, Inclusivity, and Education
Sharesies was founded on several guiding principles that continue to shape its mission today:
1. Accessibility
At its core, Sharesies aims to remove traditional barriers to entry in investing. With a minimum investment of $5, the platform enables users from various economic backgrounds to participate in the stock market. This accessibility challenges the idea that investing is reserved for those with substantial disposable income, instead creating opportunities for all New Zealanders to grow their wealth.
2. Inclusivity and Empowerment
Sharesies strives to make everyone feel welcome, regardless of their level of financial literacy. The platform’s user-friendly design and straightforward language reflect this inclusivity, making investing less intimidating and more inviting for beginners. The founders believe in empowering users through access and knowledge, ensuring that people from all walks of life can participate confidently.
3. Education as a Core Value
Beyond providing a platform, Sharesies emphasizes financial education. The company regularly hosts webinars, interactive Q&A sessions, and publishes educational resources, which are integral to its mission. These resources demystify the process of investing, helping users make informed decisions. By prioritizing education, the founders aim to create a more financially literate society where individuals are equipped to make choices that align with their goals and values.
4. Transparency and Ethics
Sharesies operates with a commitment to transparency, ensuring users understand fees, risks, and returns. Ethical investing options allow users to make values-driven choices, investing in companies that align with environmental or social principles. This transparency reflects the founders’ vision of a fair financial landscape where everyone has access to clear, honest information.
Employee Equity: Investing in Their Team’s Success
One unique aspect of Sharesies’ business model is its approach to staff ownership. Recognizing that the success of the company is a shared endeavor, Sharesies offers shares to employees. This equity initiative aligns with the company’s belief in empowering individuals—not just customers but also those contributing to its mission from within. By providing shares to staff, Sharesies fosters a culture of shared success, where employees are not only contributing to the growth of the company but also benefiting directly from its achievements. This approach reflects the founders’ dedication to fairness and collective growth, mirroring the inclusive principles they champion for their users.
A Growing Impact on New Zealand’s Financial Landscape
Since its launch, Sharesies has grown significantly, now boasting hundreds of thousands of users across New Zealand and beyond. The founders’ principles have not only attracted everyday investors but also reshaped New Zealand’s approach to wealth creation. Their commitment to accessibility, education, and inclusivity has positioned Sharesies as a model for how financial services can drive positive social impact.
By challenging the status quo and making investing accessible, Sharesies and its founders continue to prove that a purpose-driven approach can create meaningful change. As the platform expands and evolves, the founders’ principles remain at the heart of its operations, guiding Sharesies to empower Kiwis to take charge of their financial futures.