Sip, save, slay: Boss babes guide women to financial empowerment at local brewery
I think we can all agree that talking about money can be intimidating, but it goes down easier with a cold beverage.
That’s part of the thinking behind Above the Freya, a new initiative from Resident Culture Brewing Co. dedicated to creating a space for honest, empowering conversations among women and female-identifying individuals and encompassing topics like motherhood, mental and physical health, relationships, leadership and more.
This new initiative will launch on June 24 with a free, five-part series focused on financial empowerment. Held monthly, each event combines practical tools with real-world conversations and hands-on examples, covering budgeting, debt management, investing, long-term planning, and building financially healthy relationships.
Suzy Hile, CFA, a Charlotte-based financial expert with decades of experience in investment management, global asset strategy and nonprofit development, will lead the series. Now a Relationship Manager at Milburn Services LLC, Hile advises multiple generations of families on their financial lives on their path to economic security.
Held from 6 to 7 p.m. at the South End taproom, 332 W. Bland St., the series schedule is as follows:
June 24: How to Make a Budget — TONIGHT!
This session introduces the Inflow/Outflow Method—a two-account budgeting system that utilizes visual breakdowns and automation to simplify and destress money management. With the help of an interactive worksheet based on the “2-check” framework, guests will walk through a live budgeting exercise using approachable numbers and real-life examples. The focus is on reframing budgeting as a tool for freedom, not restriction, and demystifying the way that puts individuals back in control. More information here.
July 29: Debt and Emotional Weight
Drawing from financial thought leader Suze Orman’s approach, this session takes a compassionate, strategic look at debt—how to tackle it, how to talk about it, and how to stop letting shame dictate financial decisions. Guests will explore how to reframe their understanding of “good” vs. “bad” debt and gain tools for more open and effective conversations around money, especially with partners.
August 12: Investing and Long-Term Security
This discussion aims to dispel the intimidation often associated with investing. It explores foundational questions, such as: Where should someone begin? What risks are worth taking? How is “enough” defined—and who gets to decide? The goal is to support women in building safety nets that reflect their values and long-term visions, striking a balance between peace of mind and financial growth.
September 30: Savings, Retirement and Building for the Future
From emergency savings to long-range planning, this session focuses on building financial infrastructure that supports significant life moments, such as buying a home, having children, pivoting careers, or self-funding major transitions. Retirement tools like Roth IRAs and 401(k)s are explained, alongside practical guidance on what “enough” means in today’s world.
October 21: Smart Love: Planning for Partnership, Not Dependency
This closing session focuses on the financial aspects of love, exploring how to align with a partner on shared goals, identify financial red flags, and planning for life’s uncertainties with clarity and care. From prenups to power dynamics, it offers tools to build systems that support both independence and intimacy—keeping values, boundaries and bank accounts in sync.
