Gugu Sidaki
Gugu Sidaki - Wealth Manager at Wealth Creed
“I want to be remembered for changing the finances and, ultimately, the lives of ordinary South Africans (big and small) with the work I do.”
Q1: When did you join The Grind? How did you get to know about the Foundation?
A1: A year ago. I met Du at an event and he convinced me to be part of this amazing organization.
Q2: Tell us about your career journey and where you are today.
A2: My first real job after graduating was on the Standard Bank Graduate programme. I was headhunted for a research role at the FNB head office almost 2 years later. I did that for just over a year before moving to the UK where I worked in the Fixed Income division at CitiGroup, London.
When I returned to SA, I joined BJM Private Clients as a stockbroker. Two years later I joined the wealth management team and that’s what I’ve been doing since. I’m now self employed as a wealth manager and my business is called Wealth Creed. We’re now in our third year of business.
Q3: What personal sacrifices have you had to make in your career?
A3: Getting the right experience in a small company while earning very little. My peers then were making really good money working in large corporates and I envied them a lot. In hindsight, it was the right decision but at the time it was painful.
Q4: Looking back on the past 2 years, what has been the impact of Covid-19 on you and your family, as well as the way you work?
A4: Fortunately, and quite surprisingly, business has been great. Many people have been shocked into taking their finances more seriously which has led to them seeking the services of people like me. I’m really grateful for that.
My business started out with a home office. We were trying our best to encourage clients to accept virtual interactions and were winning, albeit with some resistance. While we have office space, we still encourage virtual interactions with clients which is now widely accepted by most.
On a personal front, my husband is now my colleague (since we both mostly work from home) which is something we never saw coming. As a family, we’ve had to find new ways to co-exist in the same space for longer periods which has required some thoughtfulness.
Q5: How do you see the industry in which you work change post-Covid?
A5: There’s been some inertia, both on the industry and client fronts, to adopt tech for many years. Covid has forced all of us to embrace it which I think has been very beneficial.
Q6: What would you like to be remembered for - what type of legacy would you like to leave?
A6: Over the years, I’ve found myself occupying the role of an educator. Very unexpected but very fulfilling. Besides managing my clients’ financial affairs, I teach both adults and children about money and personal finance matters and the impact is instantaneous. I want to be remembered for changing the finances and, ultimately, the lives of ordinary South Africans (big and small) with the work I do.
Q7: As we wrap up the year and reflect on where we are, are you happy with what you achieved this year?
A7: I grind hard and go to bed every night very satisfied with my efforts. Things can always be better but I’m learning to take stock of everything I accomplish, big and small because it’s been such a crazy 2 years and we’re all lucky to still be standing and sane. I’m hoping to teach more next year as more people get vaccinated – there’s lots more people to impact!
Q8: Which fictional character do you resonate with, and why?
A8: I’m a Game of Thrones junkie and absolutely love Daenerys Targaryen’s character – a big, bold character with many admirable characteristics, but also very flawed. She wanted justice and unity for all with dragons flying around everywhere. My vision isn’t quite as colossal but bear with me… I’m a big idealist myself and just want us all (ALL OF US) to be financially free, enjoy good food and have butterflies flying around everywhere.
Grind Feed: Gugu Sidaki