Unveiling Financial Empowerment: Marieka Finot’s Journey to Wellness
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- April 12, 2024
Our journey to wellbeing is often overshadowed by financial stress, however Marieka Finot stands out as a guiding light of empowerment. As a former trader turned Financial Empowerment Coach, her journey from the bustling streets of London to the serene shores of Lisbon is a testament to the transformative power of self-reflection. In an exclusive interview, Marieka shares her pivotal moments, her mission to inspire confidence in financial decision-making, and her unwavering commitment to holistic well-being. Join us as we delve into her unique approach to financial wellness and explore the legacy she aims to leave through her pioneering work. Whether you’re seeking financial clarity or simply intrigued by the intersection of wealth and wellness, Marieka Finot’s insights promise to illuminate a path towards greater financial peace of mind.
Can you share a pivotal moment or experience that inspired you to start your journey in the health and wellbeing industry?
When I quit my job in trading after 10 years in London, I moved to Lisbon and took a few months to pause and reflect. Like many entrepreneurs, I was trying to find out what I was great at. I spoke to a lot of people, and I realized for the first time in my life that I had financial well-being. I knew what I was doing with my money, why I was doing it, and how. I found out this was not the case for many, with financial stress being the number one cause of stress for adults. No one is indeed teaching you how to deal with your money, not a lot of people are opening up on the subject so you don’t get inspired by others, and there is a big mistrust in the industry as people aren’t empowered.
Because I wanted to give back knowledge, there was an avenue for me, and that’s why I created my company to help people be more at one with their finances.
Can you tell us a little bit about your business
I am a Financial Empowerment Coach so my mission is to inspire my clients and help them grow their confidence to make informed decisions about their finances.
I have 3 activities all connected!
- I am a coach with worldwide clients that I financially empower between 3 to 12 months. I am here to guide them, to take perspective, and to give back financial literacy. My mojo is their empowerment so that they are knowledgeable, independent and so they can surprise themselves!
- I do conferences for companies on financial well-being with clients like Mastercard, Cisco, Lloyds Banking Group, etc. This topic has taken the spotlight in recent years with the cost of living crisis and companies are quite active in this space.
- I also have a podcast called Money Chill Out where I interview people on anything money and investment related. My goal is to inspire and share good practices from mindset, awareness, and investment specificities. There are more than 75 episodes available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
How do you prioritize your well-being while running a business?
I never switch on my phone before 9 am, so I take the time to fully wake up, get some fresh air, enjoy my breakfast, and take care of my son. I block my calendar so that I can go swimming on Tuesday mornings, and so that I have some “me time” most Wednesday afternoons. I am also a yoga teacher so practising helps me stay grounded and focus on what matters. Last but not least, I am in nature most of the weekends.
How has your own health and well-being philosophy influenced the services you offer?
I want people to feel good about their money, whether they have a lot or not at all. It’s proven by research that financial stress isn’t linked to how much you have on your accounts but by your mindset. In the past 3 years, I have coached people from negative net worth (bad debt) to family office wealth (5 million +). Being a coach, I have no interest in telling you what to do, I want you to understand what you’re doing, to feel inspired by your money, and to be assertive by asking questions. With knowledge, comes confidence and hence that feeling of financial peace of mind.
Have there been moments where you had to make choices that challenged your values for the sake of business growth?
No. I feel super lucky that I have never had to look for clients . Mainly because I don’t know how to do it, I am a financier, not a marketing or communication person! The people who come to me already have a need and are in the right mindset. What also helps is that I am an investor myself and thus have other sources of income, which means I have less financial pressure.
I don’t push clients, word of mouth does wonders for me, and financial empowerment is a hot topic at the moment with inflation so I have been here at the right time. I feel super grateful for all of this.
As you plan for the future of your business, do you have any projects you are currently working on?
Of course! I want to continue coaching individuals as this is what I prefer. I love witnessing their growth and seeing all of the different ways of thinking, behaving, and acting around money. I have clients from Japan and Lebanon that don’t trust banks for example as bankruptcies impacted their families decades earlier. French clients who are so good at saving but not daring to invest in the stock market. A lot of expats who don’t have a retirement plan. Some who are not even interested in the topic of money so we need to change the narrative, others who have already started but realize they are paying astronomical fees. It’s fascinating as each person is unique.
I am also building an academy with on-demand videos. I appreciate that financial coaching is an investment (more than worth it for sure!), but still, I want to make it more accessible to everyone with very practical case studies. It should be live in September, so stay tuned!
What legacy do you hope to leave through your business?
Money can be fun, it can help you live the life you want and it doesn’t have to be overly complicated. Financial wellness is the last piece to have a life fully aligned!
Website: mariekafinot.com
