In this episode of ‘Lip Service’, Angela Yee sits down with Noah Kerner, the CEO of Acorns and a trailblazing entrepreneur with a unique career path. From his early days as a DJ in New York City to building multiple companies, Noah has gained valuable insights into both business and personal finance. He shares his journey, lessons on investing, and the mission behind Acorns, a financial app designed to help everyday people save and invest.
Noah’s entrepreneurial spirit was shaped by his upbringing in New York City’s East Village, deeply influenced by hip-hop culture. By the age of 16, he was DJing professionally, including a stint with Jennifer Lopez’s band. His first business venture out of college focused on hip-hop’s presence on the web, blending his passion for music and technology.
Although money wasn’t openly discussed in his household, Noah opened his first bank account at 16, using his earnings from DJing to reinvest in his equipment. His early financial experiences, including accumulating credit card debt in college, shaped his future approach to personal finance and inspired his mission with Acorns.
Acorns, which now has over 4 million paying subscribers and has helped people save and invest over $22 billion, offers features like round-ups, recurring investments, and diversified portfolios. Noah emphasizes the importance of consistently investing small amounts and harnessing the power of compound interest. His advice? Stay diversified, automate savings, and avoid panic during market downturns.
Beyond financial advice, Noah discusses the importance of aligning company values with business practices. He believes in fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace and focuses on helping everyday Americans build financial security. Despite working long hours, Noah stresses the importance of sleep and work-life balance, noting that maintaining personal well-being is key to long-term success.
With Acorns, Noah’s goal is to inspire 100 million Americans to save and invest daily, leveling the financial playing field for the average person. Through this mission-driven approach, he aims to make financial wellness accessible to all.
