Finance—an industry historically dominated by middle-aged white men. It wasn’t exactly a space where a young Pakistani girl felt she could make a meaningful contribution. Growing up, I imagined myself in a field related to STEM, maybe even the arts, but money? Please. It wasn’t until I turned 18 that my mother, like any typical brown mom would, nudged me into the world of finance, believing it would be a valuable learning experience. She was right, of course, though not in the way I expected.

I vividly remember walking into TD Bank on the corner of 109th and Whyte, just down the street from the University of Alberta, where I was pursuing my undergrad. Green and naive to the workings of the financial world, this entry-level job marked the beginning of my journey into finance. Juxtaposed with my grandfather’s teachings about the power of compounding, this experience began shaping my understanding of finance. Each year, my grandfather gifted me money for Eid, encouraging me to save by matching what I put away. This simple lesson in saving allowed me to watch my money grow over time. By the time I graduated, I had saved $10,000—a considerable amount for a kid fresh out of high school.

My time at the U of A further solidified my foundations in finance. I pursued courses that I not only enjoyed but excelled at. Without fully realizing it, I had accumulated enough credits to graduate with a BSc. in Neuropsychology, Mathematical Sciences, and Financial Mathematics. As I reflect on those years, I see how crucial that education became in my day-to-day interactions with clients today.

After a decade of working within the financial system, I saw some things that shook my view of the industry—particularly around client care, ethics, and the unchecked power that financial advisors wield. After ten years in the system, it became clear: if I wanted to make a real impact, I couldn’t continue playing by someone else’s rules.

I wasn’t interested in the traditional approach of networking at bars, picking up checks, and climbing the corporate ladder through conventional, and often exclusionary, methods. People in my firm thought I was running a charity because of how much free value I was providing to clients. While others were focused on their commissions, I was focused on education and empowering people with financial knowledge. I often heard I was doing it wrong. When I built an online community of over 100,000 followers to offer free financial advice, they were quick to red tape it, unhappy with the transparency I was offering. They began to create new rules on the go, making me jump through non-existent hoops to suppress the knowledge I was offering my community. The gatekeeping of financial advice is something I wasn’t willing to take part in.

Eventually, this disconnect prompted me to take a leap and start my own practice. I wasn’t willing to prioritize profits over the best interests of the people I served. I had witnessed too many flaws in the traditional wealth management system, and I knew there was a better way. I had a vision—to provide services that went beyond the conventional corporate financial advisor model, focusing on the needs of my community.

Fast forward to today, and I’m proud to say that WealthVerse has transformed into a vertically integrated, full-service, referral-based wealth management firm. We’re a one-stop shop for anything related to wealth and finance. Our holistic umbrella of services includes investments, mortgages, real estate, and comprehensive fee planning. With the support of strategic partnerships, we now collectively manage over $60 million in assets. This success wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible community I’ve built in the wealth management space. When I announced I was starting my own practice, the loyalty and trust from my clients followed me—a testament to the strong relationships I had built over the years.

In hindsight, life has a funny way of leading you where you're meant to be. What began as a simple job search on my mother’s advice has transformed into a lifelong mission to serve my community with honesty, care, and a commitment to conscious financial management. I never dreamed of a career in finance, but it has become a purpose-driven journey that I am incredibly grateful for. Through WealthVerse, I aim to deliver financial solutions that prioritize people over profits. If you're looking for a partner who understands your unique needs and values, I’d love to walk that journey with you.

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