About Me - Heike, Financial Coach

 In 2013, my life as I knew it came crashing down. I lost my job and simultaneously went through a divorce. As a woman in her 40s, I found myself at a pivotal moment, balancing the need to rebuild my life with the anxiety of an uncertain future. I felt overwhelmed, isolated, and ill-equipped to face the challenges ahead, particularly those related to finances.

The primary challenge I encountered was managing my financial situation. I lacked a clear strategy for handling my income, recovering from debt, or planning for what lay ahead. To complicate matters, I had to dip into my retirement savings to cover legal fees for the divorce. My ex-husband was unwilling to provide child support, and after years of enduring his abuse, I made the tough yet empowering choice to become independent and no longer depend on him for support. 

Financial advice often appeared daunting, irrelevant, or disconnected from the realities of being a South African woman striving to rebuild her life. Each mistake felt laden with shame, making it increasingly difficult to find stability. Caught in a relentless struggle for survival, I found it hard to envision a secure future for myself and my children.

I resolved not to allow my situation to define who I was. I committed myself to learning as much as possible about personal finance. I tried different budgeting techniques and sought guidance from various sources. Throughout this process, I began to identify patterns and develop strategies that proved effective—not just for me, but for other women grappling with similar issues. I even managed to save enough to take my children on a holiday to Europe and initiated my own investment journey.

As time went on, I regained control over my finances and discovered a renewed sense of confidence and purpose. I understood that I could transform my struggles into a source of strength and leverage my experiences to assist others. Currently, as a financial coach, I have the honour of helping women like myself—whether divorced, single, or widowed—take charge of their financial situations. Together, we establish budgets, address debt, and set empowering goals that allow them to move forward with optimism and clarity.

This experience has taught me that financial freedom encompasses more than just monetary figures; it relates to self-worth, resilience, and the belief that, regardless of how daunting life becomes, rebuilding is always possible. 

My key takeaway is that every woman deserves access to the tools, knowledge, and support necessary to reshape her financial narrative. I have transformed my own difficulties into a mission to ensure that no woman feels trapped, judged, or isolated in her financial journey. This is why I am committed to empowering women to rise above their circumstances and reclaim their futures.