At this year’s Forbes #PowerWomensSummit, Atlanta Dream co-owner and former WNBA star Renee Montgomery gave the audience a dose of real-life financial wisdom — drawn straight from her early days as a “broke, broke, broke” rookie in the league.
Backstage at the summit, Montgomery was asked what advice she would give her younger self, back when she was just starting out and learning to manage her first professional paycheck. Her answer was as candid as it was relatable.
“Oh, if I could give my rookie self, my broke, broke, broke rookie, rookie self one piece of advice, what would it be?” she began with a laugh. “Honestly, just keep stacking. I was the type that was saving for nothing — not for a specific goal or big purchase — just saving. My friends used to call me frugal, and I think they did it to gas me a little bit. But I am frugal.”
Montgomery, now a respected entrepreneur, philanthropist, and minority owner of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, said that frugality turned out to be one of her greatest strengths.
“If I could tell my rookie self anything,” she added, “it would be like, keep being frugal because that money you’re saving — you’re going to need it in the future.”
Her words struck a chord with many of the women in attendance — athletes, business leaders, and creators alike — who nodded in agreement as Montgomery spoke about discipline, delayed gratification, and financial foresight.
“That stacking mindset is exactly how you go from player to owner, proof that frugal isn’t boring, it’s freedom,” one person commented.
From Rookie to Role Model
Renee Montgomery’s story has long been one of reinvention and purpose. After an impressive basketball career, including two WNBA championships and a stint with the University of Connecticut Huskies, Montgomery made headlines in 2020 when she retired from professional basketball to focus on social justice initiatives and business ownership.
Today, she’s a co-owner of the Atlanta Dream — making history as part of the first Black female ownership group in the WNBA — and an outspoken advocate for equality, education, and economic empowerment.
At Forbes’ annual #PowerWomensSummit, where conversations centered on leadership, wealth-building, and representation, Montgomery’s message served as both a reality check and a celebration of growth.
Her lighthearted recollection of those early, uncertain years was more than nostalgia — it was a masterclass in humility, patience, and perseverance.
“Being called frugal used to feel like shade,” she joked, “but now it feels like a compliment.”
A Lesson Beyond Basketball
Montgomery’s advice to her younger self resonates well beyond sports. It’s a reminder that financial literacy and intentional saving — especially for young professionals navigating newfound independence — can pave the way for long-term freedom.
Her words capture universal truth: success isn’t just about the money you earn, but the wisdom in how you manage it.
