Teen promotes investment after buying Tesla
Offers tips for kids wanting to get started
A teenager from Illinois is speaking out on the importance of early investing after she said smart financial choices allowed her to purchase her first car, a Tesla, at just 17 years old.
Sophia Castiblanco, a junior in high school, started making money as a social media influencer at age 14, mostly producing lifestyle content like selfcare tutorials showcasing her favorite products and purchases.
“My content area revolves around lifestyle, focusing on sharing insights into my daily life as a homeschooled teen creator,” Castiblanco told USA TODAY. “I primarily generate income from TikTok brand deals and YouTube ad revenue.”
Upon witnessing her success, Castiblanco’s parents encouraged her to invest in Vanguard and Berkshire Hathaway index funds to start building longterm wealth. The teen also chose a couple of her favorite companies to purchase stock in.
First, it was Tesla and Apple. “I’ve also invested in Amazon and NU,” Castiblanco said.
That investing has really paid off: Castiblanco said she has earned over six figures in returns.
Though most of her vlogs center on beauty and shopping, Castiblanco also produces content for teens wanting to learn investing.
“There is no minimum age to start investing,” she said, adding that investing even a little at a time will add to longterm success.
Castiblanco advises teens to open custodial accounts under a parent’s name. In her TikTok videos, she goes over which index funds to start with and also things like choosing a broker and which stocks to buy.
As for where to start, “investing in index funds diversifies your risk and gives you a more balanced portfolio,” she told her audience of over 383,000 followers.
Purchasing stocks is “a long-term game,” Castiblanco said. “You’re investing in your future. Remember to be patient. Let your investments grow over time.”
When asked about her future plans, Castiblanco said that she is focused on content creating in the lifestyle space and will continue investing as she continues to earn.
“My goals also include venturing into real estate investing and starting my own business this year,” she said.
The publicity around her success has been “a positive experience,” Castiblanco said. Though there are privacy concerns as her channels continue to grow, the teen said she is “grateful for the supportive community” she’s built online.
“I’ve enjoyed being able to inspire other teens to invest and pursue their dreams,” she said.