How a Former Investment Banker Hit $1M a Year on YouTube

Turning Finance Expertise Into Engaging Video

For almost a decade, Nischa Shah earned £200,000 per year as an associate director at Crédit Agricole. She mastered spreadsheets and portfolio analysis but felt her work lacked direct impact. While the pay was attractive, she wanted to share real-world money skills with people who had never seen a balance sheet.

Launching the Channel While Keeping a Stable Job

In December 2021, Shah created a YouTube channel focused on money management and self-improvement. At first, growth was painfully slow—she hit 1,000 subscribers after nearly a year. Rather than quitting, she treated it as a Side Project and reinvested her banking income into better lighting, a microphone, and a reliable editing setup.

Going Viral and Accelerating Growth

A video that documented a day in the life of an investment banker caught fire in September 2022. It added 50,000 subscribers and £3,000 in revenue that month. In November, her channel crossed 100,000 subscribers. This surge convinced Shah she could build a sustainable business online—and she didnt have to wait for the next bonus cycle.

Becoming a Full-Time Creator

In January 2023, Shah walked away from banking, foregoing a six-figure bonus. She now pulls in over $1 million per year from ad revenue, online courses, corporate speaking events, and brand partnerships. Her banking background adds credibility, while her clear, approachable style keeps viewers engaged.

Balancing Commitment and Risk

Shah advises keeping a day job until you have at least nine months of living expenses saved. She posted twice a week, tracked analytics with TubeBuddy, and prioritized consistent content. That safety net let her focus on quality without panicking over every upload.

Lessons From the Transition

Turning specialized knowledge into teaching content isn’t plug-and-play. You need basic filming and editing skills, a clear niche, and patience during slow growth. But once you find a topic that resonates, the upside can be huge—Shah’s story shows that a single video can change everything.

Impact on Financial Education

Traditional finance courses often feel abstract. Shah’s channel breaks concepts down into bite-sized lessons, reaching an audience eager for practical guidance. As universities fall short at teaching money basics, creators like Shah fill a gap and redefine how people learn finance online.