We were lucky to catch up with Marieka Finot recently and have shared our conversation below.

Marieka, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

When I moved to Portugal, I had no idea what I would do next. I had just left a 10-year trading career in London and wanted to give myself some time to reflect and explore new possibilities.
During this period, I had many conversations with friends and others around me. I quickly realized I had financial peace of mind. I understood how to manage my money in a way that made me feel aligned, empowered, and inspired. This, however, wasn’t the case for many people I spoke to.
What struck me was how rare it is to connect money with well-being or to associate finances with peace of mind. That insight became the foundation of my business idea. I realized I could make a real impact by sharing my knowledge, especially since financial literacy is such a critical, yet often missing, skill.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Marieka Finot, a Financial Empowerment Coach, ex-trader, and investor. I specialize in helping people master their money.
I offer financial coaching and guide my clients to become more aligned and confident with their money. I help them with awareness (flows, structure, budget, routine) and investing (investment strategies, passive revenues, financial freedom).

I work with clients across the five continents who are at different stages in their financial journeys.
Some are just starting and feel overwhelmed, unsure where to begin. They may not trust traditional advice from bankers and want to explore their options before making decisions. Others have already started but feel disappointed with their current setup. They often realize they’re paying excessive fees or feel a lack of control over their finances.

My coaching is all about financial empowerment and literacy. I want my clients to truly understand what they’re doing with their money. That understanding allows them to make informed decisions and choose strategies that genuinely align with their goals and values.

What I’m most proud of is witnessing my clients’ growth. Many begin their journey feeling unorganized, overwhelmed, and hesitant, often lacking confidence or inspiration. As we progress through our sessions, they become curious, motivated, and eager to experiment and take action on their own. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch them develop new skills and take pride in their accomplishments.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

It might sound old-school, but word of mouth has been incredibly effective for me.
Trust is a huge factor in my work, and having friends, acquaintances, and clients recommend me to their networks has been invaluable.
I’m always so touched and grateful when people take the time to share their positive experiences. To me, it’s one of the best forms of feedback—it shows they truly value our sessions and are seeing meaningful transformations in their lives.

As a financier, not a marketing or communication expert, this approach feels very natural and aligned with who I am.
That said, I also use LinkedIn and Instagram to connect with people, and about 20% of my clients come from social media. My podcast, Money Chill Out, has also been a great tool for reaching new audiences and sharing my philosophy.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe it’s a combination of three key factors: education, career, and my personal journey.

With my educational background in investment management, it has equipped me with the skills to understand complex financial concepts and jargon. It’s not just theoretical; I know how to apply this knowledge in real-world scenarios—like diversifying an investment portfolio or identifying the right balance between risk and return.

My 10-year career in trading has also been instrumental. I’ve witnessed several financial crises up close, and I enjoy connecting macroeconomic events to their impact on financial markets. This experience gives me a deeper perspective on market dynamics.

Finally, my personal journey as an investor has been a major asset. I started investing 15 years ago with my very first salary, and since then, I’ve built a portfolio that includes cash, real estate (both direct and indirect), shares, and funds. Managing my own investments has taught me invaluable lessons—not just technical skills, but also the importance of mindset in achieving financial success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mariekafinot.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariekafinot/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marieka-finot-a5b57038/