The Small Business Research + Enterprise Centre provides aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners with access to data for market research, free workspace in the City, and a range of events to support business growth. Recently, we spoke to Fabiha Khatun, founder of Money Talks Club, about how SBREC has helped her start and grow her business teaching young people about financial literacy through theatre.
Thank you for taking the time to talk to us! Could you start by telling us a bit about your business and the work that you do?
If I had to sum up what I do in one sentence, I’d say: I teach financial literacy to young people using theatre, with no limits and fun! Too much teaching in schools relies on traditional, monotonous methods where students just sit and passively listen. My goal is to change this by bringing finance to life and teaching real world skills with a creative spin.
Currently, I’m piloting my first workshop, the ‘World of Renting,’ which takes young people through the process of renting their first home. Young people step into real life scenarios—searching for a property, signing a dummy tenancy agreement (no 30-page legal jungles here!), and act out the viewings process to spot red flags. The workshop makes the renting process easy to understand, enjoyable, and builds confidence with every step.
Ultimately, I aim to teach young people the real life skills they often don’t get taught in school and make it relevant to their lives. Financial education can feel out of touch because it tends to be delivered by people in corporate roles who may not relate to young people. I bring authenticity as much as I can because I’ve been where they are and understand their challenges. Sometimes it’s about switching to their lingo to connect with them better—bringing back my East London accent after losing it working in the corporate world!
That’s such an important mission, and it sounds like you really understand how to connect with young people! What inspired you to start your business?
I have quite a funny founder’s story. My journey started when I was just 17 and working in property management, managing new builds across central London. At first, I was excited by the fast-paced environment, but over time, I began to realise it wasn’t for me. I’d sit in Waterloo every day, looking out over the South Bank, wondering, ‘What’s my purpose?’ Through those reflections, I started to realise that entrepreneurship had always been part of my life, even if I didn’t understand it at the time.
Growing up, we’d always watch Dragon’s Den and The Apprentice in my house. Looking back to when I was in school even, I got the best grades for my business in my whole school. My dad, who owns a confectionery shop, was also a big influence, showing me the hard work and resilience that comes with running a business.
I had started listening to Steven Bartlett’s The Diary of a CEO where leaders in business, health, and finance would come on his podcast. I would see them as distance mentors, learning from their successes and failures. A recurring theme stood out: so many of them talked about not being taught finances in school. I heard it so many times that it clicked in me, and I thought “I need to do something about this.”
One day, while working in property management, I was overseeing a painter in a studio flat. The painter had just finished painting the rim of the front door, and I quickly realised that if I shut the door, the fresh paint would smudge. After the painter left, I was stuck in the flat for six hours, unable to close the door until the paint dried. With nothing else to do, I had some tissue and a pen from my bag and with that I wrote my whole business plan. That was the day Money Talks Club was born.
What has the business journey been like so far? What have been the challenges and the wins along the way?
My journey so far has been incredible, seeing my idea grow from just a thought into something real, like piloting my first workshop. Along the way, I’ve met amazing people who have shaped my path, including those at SBREC, whose support has been so valuable. My biggest wins haven’t come in a single profound moment, but instead through being in places with my business that I never imagined, testing my limits, and pulling through in my hardest times.
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced was a personal one that had a huge impact on my business. I was pushing myself too hard—running, swimming, and attending business meetings, all in one day. It caught up with me, and I ended up with a serious injury that left me unable to work the job funding my business. I spent months in and out of the hospital, and there were moments I felt like giving up. But through it all, I learned to slow down, prioritise my health, and stop putting so much pressure on myself to do everything at once. It was a tough lesson, but it taught me the importance of balance and self care, which I now carry into both my personal life and my business.
You’ve come regularly to SBREC, using our workspace and attending workshops to help shape your business. What support have you received and how has that helped you?
SBREC played such a key part of my journey, connecting me to the right people and resources and giving me the structure I needed to make Money Talks Club come to life. It all started when I joined one of the webinars by Prince’s Trust, and from there, I began using the workspace regularly. The environment was perfect for me as it is quiet and focused, which I really needed because I struggle to work in noisy spaces. I spent nearly every day there that summer, and it was during that time that I started planning how to turn my idea of teaching financial literacy into a real business.
I also attended several events, like a public speaking workshop and a photography class, which was where I met one of my closest friends. At their Business One Stop event, I was connected to Wayfinder (now Grow London Local). They introduced me to the Creative Impact Club, who were incredibly important in designing my first workshop on renting and provided me with a finance mentor.
What does the future hold for you and Money Talks Club now?
The future for me and Money Talks Club is full of possibilities. I want to help thousands of young people, parents, and communities understand finances in a way that’s clear and empowering. My goal is to make a real difference in how financial literacy is taught—not just as an afterthought but as something central to education. I’d love to see finances become a dedicated subject in schools, giving young people the tools they need to thrive in the real world.
I also want Money Talks Club to grow and evolve, becoming a key player in the financial education space. Whether that’s through workshops or innovative projects, my aim is to keep finding new ways to engage and inspire. Ultimately, I want to influence real change, not just in individual lives but in how society values and teaches financial literacy. So, the future feels bright and I’m excited to see where this journey takes us.
It’s been great to hear from you, and interesting to see how you’ve managed to create something so unique! As a final question, what advice would you give to someone starting their own business?
My advice is it’s never too late to start, just go for it, don’t overthink or wait for the perfect moment, because there’s no such thing. Even if your business idea doesn’t work out, it’s never a failure. The lessons you’ll learn about resilience, problem solving, and thinking on your feet are things no job can teach you.
Starting a business changes the way you see the world. It gives you a sixth sense, opening your eyes to opportunities and challenges in ways you never imagined. It provides you with life skills that are so valuable not just in business but in everyday life. So, my advice is to trust yourself, take the leap, and embrace the journey—it’s one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do!
*We strive to do our best when supporting small business and their growth. Our business databases can give you information and data that can help you with advertising, market research, company information, and industry factsheets. If you have already taken the plunge, we would love for you to join us at a seminar, our workshops cover digital marketing, business model canvas and planning, demystifying taxes and intellectual property to name a few. Visit our events page or website for more information.
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