Meet Amanda, whose journey into financial consultancy was shaped by personal hardship and deep family values. Witnessing her parents struggle through financial uncertainty—especially after her father’s business failed—sparked a lifelong determination to understand and master personal finance. Her mission today? To help others avoid the same pitfalls and build strong, secure financial futures.
Now a trusted consultant at finexis, Amanda brings empathy, strategy, and clarity to every client interaction. She believes that true financial wellness isn’t just about investments or insurance—it’s about long-term planning, self-awareness, and building a life aligned with purpose and stability.
What inspired you to become a financial consultant, and how did you come to join finexis?
When I was young, my dad was a solopreneur and the sole breadwinner of the family. Both my parents were not financially educated, and throughout the years, although my dad’s business did reasonably well, they relied heavily on an insurance agent for their financial planning.
When the business eventually struggled—first due to SARS and later during the economic downturn—he had to shut it down. The first thing he gave up was his insurance. I was 17 at the time, and that moment stuck with me. It made me realise how important it is to have proper financial planning.
My mother, who had been a housewife for nearly two decades, had to start working—standing 10 hours a day to sell cakes at a bus interchange, coming home late and exhausted. I watched her hands go from smooth to wrinkled from the sheer labour. That experience shaped my determination to one day manage my finances well and help others do the same.
Fast forward: after working for about five years and seeing little financial progress, I joined a private bank thinking it would help me better understand financial planning.
But I quickly realised that the products were only accessible to high-net-worth clients, and I couldn’t apply them to my own life. That’s when I met a headhunter who introduced me to this industry.
I was initially sceptical—there’s a lot of stigma attached to the insurance space—but I decided to explore further. I researched and interviewed 18 companies before choosing finexis. What stood out was their open architecture platform, which allows access to a wide range of solutions from multiple providers.
Unlike tied agencies or insurers, finexis is an independent financial advisory firm, which aligned with my goal to give clients options. The managers were open and transparent, and I felt this was a place where I could grow and help others plan effectively.
How do you build long-term trust with your clients?
I learned during my time in banking that building long-term trust starts with understanding a client’s current situation. Products may be similar across the industry, but what clients truly value is someone who takes the time to listen, empathise, and advise based on their goals—not someone who pushes a product.
So instead of rushing to recommend something, I focus on building that relationship and tailoring advice that fits their life.
What is a common misconception people have about financial planning, and how do you help correct it?
Many people think financial planning is just about insurance or investment products, and they worry they’ll lose money or that everything is “locked up.” That’s not true. I start by understanding their current financial standing and goals, then walk them through a personalised roadmap.
Once they see that the plan is based on their objectives—and not a one-size-fits-all product—they feel more in control and reassured.
The decisions you make today compound into your future. If you’re intentional and mindful about where your money goes, what you invest in, and how you save, it sets the foundation for a secure and fulfilling retirement.
With the rapidly evolving financial landscape, what are some emerging trends business owners should be aware of?
One key mindset business owners need is agility. Events like COVID-19 and ongoing geopolitical shifts remind us that disruptions can happen quickly. From a financial perspective, AI and blockchain are two major trends that will shape the future.
While crypto is volatile, the underlying blockchain technology is here to stay. Likewise, AI is transforming how businesses and individuals manage information and make decisions. Rather than resisting change, business owners should embrace these technologies and explore how they can support efficiency, security, and growth.
Can you share a success story where your financial advice significantly improved a client’s financial position?
I recently worked with a high-performing couple who wanted to achieve several financial goals in the next five years—buying a second property, starting a family, and maintaining their lifestyle. They weren’t sure if these goals were financially realistic.
I helped them map everything out: property costs, family planning expenses, and retirement savings. After the planning session, they felt confident knowing exactly what they needed to do—and that they could achieve their goals without compromising their current lifestyle.
That clarity gave them peace of mind and renewed purpose.
What is your personal philosophy when it comes to financial wellness and long-term wealth building?
Financial wellness is deeply tied to physical health. Just like staying physically well requires intentional daily habits—eating well, exercising, hydrating—so does financial wellness.
The decisions you make today compound into your future. If you’re intentional and mindful about where your money goes, what you invest in, and how you save, it sets the foundation for a secure and fulfilling retirement.
I often use the analogy of planning a route. If you’re driving from Changi Airport to Malaysia and you take the wrong direction, you’ll end up lost—or at the very least, delay your journey.
But with a good plan and the right navigation, you’ll get there faster and with fewer detours.
What’s your vision for Singapore in the next five years?
I hope Singapore continues to strengthen its position as a global financial hub—a place where investors want to be, and where people feel secure and optimistic about their future.
With our foundations laid by previous generations, we have the potential to keep growing and leading, especially as more international funds and talent flow into the country.
If you could have a superpower for one day, what would it be and why?
I’d like to be invisible—so I could truly see what people’s lives are like behind closed doors. In our society, many people put up a front, but behind it are real struggles they rarely talk about.
If I could observe them in their quiet moments, I could better understand their pain, their hopes, and their challenges—and find more meaningful ways to help.
Connect with Amanda: LinkedIn, Instagram and Merlin.
Amanda is a member of Rainmaker, a revolutionary movement that rallies like-minded people together based on the values of Love, Authenticity, Respect, Kindness and Youthfulness (LARKY).
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