Investing Starts With the Self

A series of powerful insights - from mentors, books, and podcasts - transformed my relationship with money, career, and self-worth. Investing, it turned out, was the most empowering decision I’d ever make.

Maphrida Wehrli

A Wake up Call in January

The best and only way you should be making money at your age right now is investing.

That piece of advice from my mentor, Caroline Omondi, changed everything. Until then, I’d avoided finance like the plague: too intimidating, too complex, too not me. But in January 2025, after a few blissful months of “(f)un-employment” and just before starting a new, purpose aligned job, I realized something: I hadn’t earned a cent beyond employment insurance, which I’d promised myself I’d do.

Determined to contribute financially, I looked for side jobs, reached out to my network, and opened myself to opportunity. Then came Caroline’s advice and one book later, I found myself deliberating on ETFs and shares. Hah – was this really me??

That was my aha moment and the start of a butterfly effect: I discovered The Diary of a CEO podcast, decided on attending the World Economic Forum (with invaluable guidance from another mentor, Pauline Koelbl), and fell deeper in love with entrepreneurship. Suddenly, everything that had culminated to that moment started to connect.

Redefining My Relationship with Wealth

I shifted from feeling grateful to be here to knowing I belong here.

Today, finance and I are getting well-acquainted. For years, I was simply thankful to afford what I needed: travel, dinners with friends, gifts for loved ones, and even scraping up to co-own a home. But my mindset has evolved from gratitude alone to a sense of ownership and belonging. Now, I’m intentionally building my financial literacy and planning for long-term wealth with the goal of becoming an angel investor who supports young entrepreneurs in emerging markets.

A Career with Many Chapters

My professional journey has been anything but linear. After studying science in high school, I earned a degree in media, a master’s in business, and worked across media, marketing, customer service, and now sustainability. Each pivot has shown me that interdisciplinarity isn’t confusion, it’s creativity.

Currently, I’m exploring a new venture and seeking partners and investors. And after years of informal practice, I’ve officially launched maphrida.com to offer professional moderation services.

If you’re looking for a moderator who brings curiosity, clarity, and energy to the room: I’m open for business.

Finding Power in Community

The Women in Sustainable Finance (WISF) community has been a game-changer. It taught me that finance isn’t just about numbers, it’s about the interconnectedness of things. At one event, WISF Co-founder (and dear friend) Marta Ra opened with a question: “Why are we here today to talk about media? Isn’t that completely different from sustainability?”

It was exactly what I was thinking and yet, WISF always finds those intersections that make you see the bigger picture. Through WISF, finance became accessible, even exciting – exactly what a gal like me needed. Beyond the events, its advocacy for inclusivity and sustainability resonates deeply with my work and values.

Who I Am

I’m one of a kind (literally the only Maphrida in the world, according to Google), proud Zimbabwean-Swiss and deeply grateful wife, daughter, sister, and friend. A sustainability professional driving change management, co-founder of my family’s Wandutso Trust, ambassador for Solafrica, and a moderator passionate about purposeful dialogue.

Three Lessons Worth Sharing

✨ Know yourself

Your intuition is your compass. When you truly know who you are, nothing can throw you off course.

✨ Invest in yourself

Coaching, mentoring, and reflection have been my best investments. Growth always starts from within.

✨ Set a theme for your year

Pick one word to guide your choices. Mine for 2025 was «audacious» - and it’s opened doors I didn’t even know existed.

Ultimately, everything, even financial freedom starts with connecting to your own potential. Nurture yours.

 

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	Moderator. Entrepreneur. Creative Force.
You can connect with me via maphrida.com or connect on LinkedIn