Exploring the Unique Approach of Women to Wealth Management

When Katja Meier was recognized for her outstanding screenplay for $HARE by The Writer’s Lab, she felt optimistic about her script making its way to television. This initiative champions the narratives of women over 40, with backing from luminaries like Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, and Cate Blanchett through Dirty Films. Meier’s narrative centers on 59-year-old Lena, who unexpectedly inherits a mining fortune from her challenging father and chooses to allocate her wealth in groundbreaking ways. As women worldwide prepare to inherit significant wealth, this series could serve as a valuable source of insight. However, the journey to bring Meier’s vision to life proved more challenging than anticipated, due to some rather unusual obstacles.

A Shift in Wealth: Women as New Investors

A monumental shift in wealth is on the horizon for women. Bloomberg foresees a dramatic increase in female fortunes through inheritance and career achievements, poised to reshape investment and philanthropy across the globe. According to Marti Barletta, author of Prime Time Women, “The scale of this change is often underestimated. In the UK, women are anticipated to possess 60% of financial assets by 2025. The US is projected to experience a wealth transition estimated at $34 trillion over the next two decades, roughly equivalent to US GDP.”

The narrative of $HARE is inspired by these trends, drawing lessons from real-world exemplars of wealthy women adopting innovative financial philosophies. Philanthropist Mackenzie Scott, Melinda French Gates, and Austrian heiress Marlene Engelhorn have all generously contributed millions, strategically prioritizing equity and fairness. For instance, Melinda French Gates notably reached out to a dozen gender equality activists, each receiving a $20 million grant.

Marlene Engelhorn: Co-founder of Taxmenow, she questioned the system before accepting her inheritance and allowed others to vote on how her wealth was distributed.

MacKenzie Scott: Disrupted traditional philanthropy with a trust-based approach, opting for unrestricted donations.

Melinda French Gates: In a bold move in 2024, she provided significant funds to activists focused on gender equality.

Barletta emphasizes, “We can expect to notice shifts in investment behavior, as women are more inclined to make choices that align with their values. Imagine if this influx of money resulted in women investors demanding their resources be directed towards sustainable enterprises!”

The Vision Behind $HARE

Katja Meier’s protagonist, Lena, embodies this vision. The plot unfolds with three women opting for a modest lifestyle at a winter campsite in the Swiss Alps. When Lena Corbyn (59) inherits a third of a British-Swiss mining empire, her friends unite to transform Corbyn Commodities by shutting down an environmentally harmful coal mine in South Africa and distributing shares to employees. However, their bold initiative faces resistance from Lena’s sister and niece, who will stop at nothing to maintain their wealth and the status quo. The series resonates with themes of family, connection, legacy, and female empowerment—a “Succession for Sisters” that offers a compelling narrative to welcome the new year.

Although judges and audiences praised the storyline, there was an unexpected hurdle: producers demanded a younger lead. They insisted that no one would be interested in a series featuring a 59-year-old woman. This contradicts the reality that the global population is growing older, that women over 50 are key consumer demographics, and that they will soon control much of the wealth in both the US and UK. Why would there be resistance to a series that reflects their lives?

Empowering Women on Their Terms

Ultimately, Katja Meier rejected this compromise. She opted to self-fund her project, employing her distinctive production standards. After successfully producing a well-received pilot episode, she is now seeking financial support. To engage viewers, Meier invites them to contribute $8.95 (with $5 going to the series’ producers) and become part of the creative community behind $HARE.

The filming process of $HARE reflects its core message of empowerment and inclusivity. Below is an excerpt from her filmmaking manifesto:

• Equal pay and transparency in salaries for all team members (no divisions between above and below the line—everyone matters).
• Sustainable production practices with eco-friendly travel options for cast and crew.
• Minimal set design, utilizing local resources and thrifted props.
• No auditions; selected actors are approached directly with the script, streamlining the casting process.
• Costumes sourced through borrowing, recycling, and reusing.
• A commitment to spotlighting women over 50 in powerful leading roles.

This week, $HARE makes its debut on the independent streaming platform Olyn, enabling creators to sell their work directly to audiences. One of the initial responses to Meier’s pitch was skepticism about the viewership of women over 50. $HARE aims to challenge this narrative and herald the rise of women influencing the marketplace with their values.