Lena Guirguis
By the age of 25 Lena had amassed a multi-million-dollar investment portfolio and was running one of Ottawa’s premier asset management firms.
Born in Iran in the early 80s
Immigrating from Iran in the early 80s, Lena's journey to Canada began when she was just three. Making a home in a challenging Scarborough neighborhood, her family navigated their new life with limited resources and without familiar faces nearby. Amidst the backdrop of turbulence and challenges, her parents sought to anchor their lives in positivity, enrolling Lena in sports and music to offer a touch of normalcy and hope.
Manager at 19 years old
From her earliest days, Lena was drawn to the world of competitive swimming. While balancing school, she ventured into the workforce and swiftly made her mark as a standout salesperson, no matter her role. By 19, she had climbed the ranks to become the youngest club manager at a women's fitness club in downtown Toronto. Yet, despite her dedication and drive, she began to sense that a regular job with a fixed salary might not be her ultimate path.
Amassed a multi-million-dollar investment portfolio by 25
Lena was driven by a vision: to craft a career where she could wholeheartedly embrace her purpose and steer her financial course. This unyielding drive led her to the dynamic realm of real estate. In January 2003, a chance meeting with an up-and-coming entrepreneur set the stage for a powerful partnership. By year's end, they dove into the real estate market, focusing on transforming distressed properties in Ontario through a buy, fix, and hold strategy. By 25, Lena's dedication had culminated in a multi-million-dollar investment portfolio, and she was at the helm of one of Ottawa’s leading asset management firms.
Founded Stilettos & Hammers™ in 2012
It was during the early years of her business, gentrifying neighborhoods that once tipped toward a state of distress that she observed a major gap in the support and financial education provided to women. So in 2012, she founded Stilettos & Hammers™, a growing investment network focused on educating women, providing them with resources necessary to help them take control of their finances. Since inception, the network assists and educates women and their families in selecting the correct investment strategies to meet their short and long-term goals so their wealth is managed and preserved.
She understands what it is like to work hard for what you have
Lena lives by the philosophy: “It doesn’t matter where you come from; it’s where you decide you want to go.” Lena deeply understands the essence of perseverance and commitment. Her business embodies her dedication: equipping women and their families with the necessary tools and wisdom to excel in their pursuits, all while laying the foundation for a secure future and the life they aspire to lead.