Shelina Sayani, AFC®

Founder, Chief Financial Educator

Money She Says

Quick 10!

#1 Briefly tell us about your business.

I’m an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) and a Candidate for CFP® certification who runs Smart Money for Single Women, a platform dedicated to helping unmarried, divorced, or widowed women take control of their money and build financial independence on their own terms. Through coaching, education, and community, I make financial empowerment accessible, practical, and inclusive. I live and work in Southern California.

#2 What is the most rewarding part of being in the financial advising industry?

Supporting clients who have been historically underserved and watching them build clarity, confidence, and wealth is incredibly rewarding. I love helping women access the financial knowledge and guidance they’ve long deserved and seeing that support translate into real empowerment.

#3 What is the most challenging part?

One of the greatest challenges is navigating outdated wealth-building formulas that no longer reflect the realities of younger generations. Our demographics, priorities, and lived experiences have changed, and so have the ways we define success, risk, and security.

#4 Knowing what you know now, what piece of career advice would you give your younger self?

Build your financial independence earlier and maintain that foundation with zeal. Doing so creates the freedom to design a career, business, and life you truly want while serving the people and causes that matter most.

#5 What is one idea to further move the needle in attracting, retaining and/or advancing more women in financial advising?

The next generation of wealth holders is unlike any before: more women, more diverse, and more socially conscious. There’s never been a better time for women and advisors of color to enter financial services and build meaningful careers while empowering clients, shaping the future of wealth, and amplifying social impact.

#6 What’s one of your superpowers that has nothing to do with wealth management?

Inclusivity. I love watching people come alive when they feel truly seen and supported, whether in coaching sessions, community groups, or even casual conversations.

#7 What’s one of your non-negotiable self-care practices?

Meal planning is my non-negotiable self-care. I focus on protein, antioxidants, and nutrient-rich foods to keep my body energized, strong, and ready for whatever the day brings.

#8 Who is a woman who has had an important impact on your life or career?

I deeply admire MacKenzie Scott’s quiet, values-driven philanthropy and her commitment to supporting historically marginalized communities, including more than $1 billion in donations to HBCUs. Her approach shows how wealth can be used expansively, responsibly, and with profound humility.

#9 What are three of your all-time favorite books?

• Untamed by Glennon Doyle
• You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero
• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

#10 If your life were a movie, what would the title be?

“Rising On Her Own Terms”