Today we’d like to introduce you to Aseel El-baba

Hi Aseel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

Growing up in a war zone, I was confronted with existential questions from a young age, leading me to yearn for a meaningful life. Despite beginning my career in financial services, I often felt like an imposter, challenged by the irony that my family relied on welfare. This inner conflict propelled me to pursue psychotherapy training, as financial certifications were falling short in addressing my money traumas.

After a decade in the corporate world, I left to establish Holistic Optimal Wealth, my financial therapy practice.

Today, I am driven by a mission to help clients explore and heal their relationship with money, overcoming financial trauma to achieve a fulfilling and balanced life.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

As an entrepreneur, I’ve faced numerous personal and professional obstacles that have tested my resilience and determination. Personally, balancing the demands of building a business with maintaining relationships and self-care has been a constant challenge. The emotional toll of uncertainty and the pressure to succeed can be overwhelming. This is particularly coming up for me when I became a mother on October 2022. I am constantly learning how to work smart so I can be more available and present as a mother. I am also healing the limiting beliefs around the identity of a mother, who is also a business woman. Knowing I can built a business that is supportive to my sacred role in the family has helped me reimagine my career and get creative in how I can build it.

Additionally, overcoming the skepticism of others and proving the value of a novel approach to financial therapy demanded persistence and unwavering belief in my mission. This is a relatively new field and there is still little awareness on it and the benefits of addressing your emotions and mental health to improve your financial health. These hurdles, however, have also fuelled my growth, strengthening my resolve to help clients transform their financial lives.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?

In my work as a financial therapist, I blend my expertise in financial services with my deep understanding of psychotherapy to help clients navigate the emotional complexities of money. After a decade in the corporate world, I founded Holistic Optimal Wealth to address the often-overlooked psychological aspects of financial health. My practice focuses on healing clients’ relationships with money, uncovering and addressing money traumas, and empowering them to achieve financial well-being and fulfillment. By integrating financial strategies with therapeutic techniques, I aim to transform how people view and manage their finances, fostering a healthier and more balanced approach to wealth and life.

How do you think about luck?

I believe luck is a product of doing your inner work. I would actually refer to it in a deeper way – synchronicity.

Synchronicity, the meaningful coincidences that seem to guide one’s path, can also be a powerful force in business. It often feels like the universe is aligning to support a vision, with timely events or connections occurring just when they are needed. For instance, a random conversation might lead to a valuable partnership, or a serendipitous encounter could spark a groundbreaking idea.

This is how I met one of my most amazing business partners, Rhiannon. She wrote about her work in The Globe and Mail and 3 of my clients sent me her article. We connected in 2020 and since then have been co-creating and supporting one another. She allowed me to deepen my belief in my mission and bring it to the next level.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://holisticoptimalwealth.com