The Real Heather Katsonga Woodward - interviewed by Alex Sapala

To round up 2020, I thought some might like to learn a little more about me as an individual. And, because I prefer not to talk about myself I thought I'd share an interview that I had with ​Alex Sapala who invited me onto his show, the Business, Wealth And Mindset Podcast. Alex is one of the most successful and ambitious Malawians living in Britain today, he's made a massive success of himself in the work place and also with property investing but you would never know because he keeps himself humble. 

The Money Spot™ - UK Personal Finance · The Real Heather Katsonga-Woodward (the usual host)

Alex with Heather who shares her fascinating journey and discusses why she has chosen to be employed in a role that offers her flexibility and the time to undertake the hobbies she loves.
​
This is a great opportunity to hear from someone who experienced being employed and working for herself before making a conscious choice to be employed. It’s always vital to find out what makes you happy, what is the real you and how to achieve this in life.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Self-employment is not all glamour and I was on call to my customers all the time
• Being employed gives me the stability I want.
• I get paid well and have all the flexibility that I expected but didn’t get when I was self-employed.
• The period when I was self-employed was the period where I was least happy.
• My happiness comes from being able to express myself in my own way.
• I have a job that allows me to pursue the hobbies I want to and I enjoy the diversity of the life I have.
• Time freedom is an important aspect to consider in your life.
• Having a job provides you with work experience and stability, both important elements to have in your life.
• Being employed doesn’t preclude exploring working for yourself and employment works for me and offers the flexibility I want
• The stock markets are a good place to put money over longer periods of time
• Never suffer in silence talking to others is the key to changing things.

BEST MOMENTS

• ‘I depend on my siblings for emotional support’
• ‘I worked hard at school so that at some point further on I won’t have to work so hard’
• ‘Life is about people and staying connected to them through positive interactions’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

• Business, Wealth and Mindset podcast series   
• The Money Spot Podcast 

ABOUT THE GUEST
Heather Katsonga-Woodward

Having spent 7 years in investment banking at Goldman Sachs (Corporate Finance) and HSBC (Corporate Derivatives Structuring) and a further 6 years pursuing her own business interests, Heather is currently a civil servant. She describes it as the best job she’s ever had.

Heather is an investor in property, the stock market and as a hobby enjoys creating personal finance digital learning resources that can be found at katsonga.com and on the podcast, The Money Spot™️. Her courses on Udemy (on property and business) had attracted over 10,000 students as at 2020.

Heather graduated with First Class Honours in Economics from the University of Cambridge. She has the CFA Charter, the ACCA accounting qualification and the Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP).

She lives in Birmingham (UK) with her husband and two children.

ABOUT THE HOST

Alex is a prize-winning chartered accountant with experience in financial markets from trading finance, capital hedging, structural foreign exchange and interest rates to operational risk from the world’s top financial and advisory institutions including Deloitte, RBS and JPMorgan Chase

Alex has been involved in property development programmes across different types since 2008, building and managing a portfolio that includes standard buy-to-lets, student accommodation and other houses in multiple occupancy (HMOs).

He specialises in raising finance, providing potential investors, investors and joint venture partners with ad hoc (to their specific requirements), hands-free and hassle-free property investments solutions as well as coaching and mentoring

Alex aspires to share business and financial knowledge with upcoming entrepreneurs and experienced business minds to learn and master the concepts and mindsets required to succeed, stand-out, have the edge and make a difference.

Alex is also a keen traveller, cyclist and photographer.

CONTACT METHOD

• Facebook.com/AlexSapalaOfficial
• Twitter - @alex_sapala 
• Alex's YouTube channel

My very best,
Heather 
p.s. subscribe to my podcast and ask me any money question, HERE - do it now!