Meet Emma, a financial empowerment coach and wealth strategist. She is on a mission to empower business owners to love their finances, enabling them to achieve financial independence. If you are serious about getting serious about your money, then Emma is the expert for you.
Emma has helped hundreds of wealthy individuals manage their money as a highly qualified Chartered Financial Planner. As a Certified Financial Coach with 17 years of wealth management experience, she possesses all the tools to help you manage the money you make inside your business, leaving you empowered to live the wealthy life you deserve.
In this interview with Stellar Woman Magazine, she explains why every woman has the right to make money.
Who is Emma Wright, and what is your backstory?
I grew up in Bradford, a northern from a young age, I loved numbers and finances. I took my math GCSE a year early, earned a degree in finance, and decided in Manchester that I wanted to be a trader. I didn’t even know about trading whilst growing up. They don’t teach it in school. We only learn math. During university, I began studying financial derivatives and stock market investing, realizing that’s what I wanted to do. I moved to London to work for a major investment banking firm – City group, and never looked back. My career in finance began with determination to be one of the women in the front office. I worked hard to put myself forward, network, and get that opportunity.
Photo credit: Bori Bojthe
What was your childhood dream, and are you doing that today?
I have uncovered that one of my childhood dreams was to be a marine biologist, wanting to save the planet. My podcast and business now revolve around that mission, focusing on climate change. Although I considered studying marine biology at university as I studied triple sciences at A level. When I looked at the courses at university, financial planning and financial derivatives just stood out for me. I made that change and followed my intuition. I ultimately shifted towards finance and financial planning. My choices were entirely my own. I am fiercely independent and always follow my instincts.
My childhood dream is however coming back in a different way. I think we layer up and we forget those inner childhood dreams.
What are your ideal stellar woman attributes?
It is being me. Unapologetically 100% me and making things normal for everyone.
I don’t show up in a suit anymore. I used to show up in a suit as a financial planner trying to fit in with men. I have learned to be true to myself. I no longer conform to others’ expectations. I embrace my individuality.
I strive to make financial matters normal and accessible, believing that wealth is for everyone and that it should be redefined. I consider myself a “wealth rebel” on a mission to make financial abundance and independence accessible to all, especially women in business.
What’s the difference between a financial planner and a financial coach because you’re both?
Financial planners help map out your life and finances through cash flow forecasting to help you see the impact of your money if you take a particular financial action. They focus on long-term planning and won’t sell you products.
Financial coaches, on the other hand, empower you to be confident about what you do with your money so that you can make informed decisions. A financial coach focuses on the emotional connection with money and changing beliefs that you have about yourself and focuses on mindset. 95% of the time we are on subconscious autopilot. This means that your subconscious mind is spending your money. Understanding yourself at a deeper level helps you to understand your money behaviours.
There’s also a financial educator who focuses on helping people understand how to invest by themselves. They all help to build your confidence and knowledge including understanding the financial jargon that is used in financial services which isn’t that complicated.
Photo credit: Bori Bojthe
What does wealth mean to you?
The word wealth historically stems from “Wela” which means well-being. The modern wealth management industry has tied it to money and assets. To get access to the wealth services, you’re required to have a decent amount of money and this has led to the misconception of what wealth means. Today there’s a misconception as people perceive that the amount of money they have is how wealthy they are.
I have redefined wealth as “W” for well-being, “E” for energy, “A” for abundance, “L” for lifestyle, “T” for time, and “H” for health. If broken down – Wealth is about having well-being. How is your well-being? How good is your energy? Are you feeling abundant in your life? Do you appreciate the money you’re already making? Do you have a desirable lifestyle? Do you have time for yourself? What about the people around you? How do you live your life each day? Time being your greatest asset, you must use your time productively not forgetting that your health is your wealth. Look after yourself.
Understanding that money is an energy. That it is just a tool that we can use to have a wealthy life. What is important is that you’re everything. You’re infinitely incredible. You have everything in you to make money and to spend it on what’s right for you. You don’t have to build a pension plan. There are other ways of building wealth for you say starting a business or entrepreneurship or buying property. You need to choose something that is more aligned to you. It is about the connection and the possibility and knowing what is possible for you.
Is rich and wealthy the same? Doesn’t money play a role?
Over the years my take on this has changed and I think the richness in life is all around us. Our planet is amazing. When I am walking on a beach and I feel the sand in my toes which is richness to me. When I go in the ocean and swim and hear the ocean that increases my abundance frequency. If you want to be rich, go and put your head under the sea and embrace nature on you. We can live a rich life. I think richness and wealth are really connected. You could have all the money in your bank and still not be rich. I have seen people with investment portfolios, where they have million pounds in their portfolios but aren’t living a rich life. They don’t spend their money. That’s incredibly frustrating for me as financial advisor. One of the biggest things I believe is that we should only leave one pound in our bank account when we die. This should be because we have spent it or we’ve given it away in our lifetime, through charitable causes or to the people we want to support in their lifetime say our children, and yet we’ve had an incredibly good time along the way. That’s what I think being rich and being wealthy is about.
What is your rich life like?
I used to travel in my car all over the country having tea and biscuits as a financial advisor and I hated it. I was in the car from six in the morning to seven at night. I was burnt out. I didn’t get to see the North Devon life. When I had my children, I thought that something needed to change. I started my business, and my business has given me the ability to work from home. I am currently overlooking my garden; I can see nature whilst I work. I get to walk my children to school every day and I pick them up by foot. I am not polluting the planet and that’s really a big thing for me. I am passionate about doing my part to reduce my own carbon footprint which makes me happy and I feel rich.
Also I am doing something I love to do. Talking about money and empowering people. I don’t think of it as work. I got really clear on what else I wanted to do to be wealthy. I empower people to do the same. For example, I wanted to scuba dive and be a marine conservationist. I didn’t want to wait until Harry and Rose my little children who were two and five years old then to be old enough to go to the Maldives to do it. So, I took my scuba PADI, in North Devon. Since then, I dived off Lundy Island, which is an island off of North Devon and swam with the seals. It was amazing and I can still feel that energy of the experience right now. So, I bring things into my life that I can do right here with my children and business. Since I love hot and cold exposure as part of my health routine. I joined the Saunton Sands spa hotel which overlooks a beach. The beach is one of the most beautiful beaches. It felt uncomfortable at first joining as a member because of the costs. It was higher than what my normal gym membership was. I however decided that it was what I want to do. I want to do yoga overlooking this beach, use their thermal spa every week. I don’t want this to be a luxury, I want it to be my life. I go once or twice a week. I love it there. I love to take the kids down there sometimes and it’s my time to be me when I am there. I come back home a happier mummy. An unapologetically me and less stressed. I fit this into my schedule and I prioritise it.
I am now trying to create a life where I can travel. So, my goal next August is to take the kids off to Sri Lanka for the month. I want to show Harry and Rose, the elephants and the blue whales that I saw when I went to Sri Lanka. I would like them to experience the world. So, I am building these amazing life goals in right now, not when I am retired. I am living and breathing my best life and demonstrating that if this is possible me, it is possible for anyone. I am just a normal person from Bradford who has got clear on my life. I want to live by design.
What, in your view, is stopping women from achieving wealth?
Women often undercharge and connect their self-worth to what they charge. We’re prone to charging by the hour and undervaluing ourselves, missing out on building wealth. We also tend to over give in terms of time, money, and energy, which can lead to resentment. Taking time off from careers, especially for women with children, can be a wealth-hindering factor. It’s crucial to keep investing in pensions and financial independence even when taking breaks.
Photo credit: Bori Bojthe
What advice would you give a woman who feels it’s too late to start building wealth?
It’s never too late to start building wealth. In fact, many people start later in life. Prioritize your life strategy and determine what you want to achieve. You’re not limited by your current means. Leverage all your assets, including your knowledge and experience. There’s no perfect way to build wealth; just start and learn as you go.
What is your view on the fear of failure?
Fear of failure is common and often coexists with the fear of success. Embrace fear because it’s part of being human. Overcoming fear, whether of failure or success, can lead to growth and greater confidence. Fear isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it’s an opportunity to learn and step out of your comfort zone.
As an entrepreneur, you’re always making decisions. What are some of the key lessons you’ve learned about decision-making?
Trust your decision-making abilities. Seek feedback and advice, but ultimately trust your intuition. Overthinking and seeking external validation can lead to procrastination. When making financial decisions, don’t worry about making mistakes; it’s part of the learning process.
What vision do you have for women in the future?
I envision more women in CEO positions and with a greater share of wealth. Women can make a positive impact by starting purpose-led businesses, supporting charitable causes, and contributing to the betterment of the planet. The future is promising, and women can climb the ladder of success.
Where do we see Emma Wright in the next 5-10 years?
In the future, I see my business becoming more international, empowering CEOs globally to manage their wealth. My podcast, “Wealth Unchained,” will grow, and I hope to create positive change in the wealth management industry. Personally, I want to travel, enjoy nature, and continue serving clients worldwide.
If you were to go back in time, what key lessons would you share with your 15-year-old self?
I’m content with my choices at 15. I would probably tell my younger self to spend more time with my horse, appreciating the unique opportunities I had. Otherwise, I would encourage her to carry on the path she’s on, assuring her that her life would be amazing.
Please issue one challenge to stellar women to kickstart their wealth-building strategy.
After doing an asset audit, get crystal clear on your life strategy. Define what you want to have, be, and do in your life, without limiting yourself. Your best life isn’t a distant future goal; it’s something you can start living today. Don’t be apologetic about your desires. Express them to the universe and watch how it delivers.
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