Afiya ‘Fi’ Titus

Afiya ‘Fi' Titus is ACA exam-qualified with a finance background working to support individuals and entrepreneurs to build their financial futures. She has been a self-employed entrepreneur, sole trader, and limited company director for several years. Her experience also includes leadership and business growth. Her goals in life are to live and work in a way that is as autonomous and flexible as possible.

Fi co-created her business because she realised a gap in both confidence and knowledge for many freelancers, small business start-ups, and the self-employed regarding accounting and finance. She also realised small owner-managed businesses need more resources (time or money) to divert their attention to accounting and away from their most crucial daily role of running the business. She has been a self-employed entrepreneur, sole trader, and limited company director for several years. Her experience also includes People Strategy, Leadership, and Business Growth.

Fi shared with us some of the core insights of her financial journey in a recent interview.

What was your financial experience like growing up?

I was taught about money from a very young age. My mum was a retail bank manager and gave me very early lessons about saving money.

Who first taught you about money, and where are you confident financially?

My parents - especially mum! I was confident saving from childhood, and by adulthood was very comfortable with understanding how to take on 'good' debt.

What preconceptions did you have/or did they (the person who first taught you about money) have?

Saving was a good thing, but investing was 'too risky' or 'not for everyday people like us'.

Do you see any of these preconceptions showing up in Black women today?

Yes, often - which is why I promote financial literacy to change this perception.

What do you think are the solutions that the MML community needs to thrive financially?

To unlock a money mindset, and be surrounded by examples of people thriving who 'look like them'.

Lastly, what did you learn from attending any MML programmes or events?

There needs to be more confidence and a scarcity mindset rather than an abundance mindset in a large proportion of participants. I hope the MML programmes have challenged this.