Meeting A Mentoressa

I’m Harper Ipollito-Farrell, and this is my story: From self-declared “master of avoidance” to financial control

I was born with the proverbial golden spoon in my mouth. Since then, I’ve done a lot of stuff, some really great and some not so great. I managed a company, still run a Private Office for Real Estate, and have become an investor. I had plenty of downfalls and great opportunities to grow along the way.

But let’s take a step back to before I laced up my investing shoes: despite having a comfortably cushioned bank account, a persistent shadow loomed over me—finances and investments felt like some form of witchcraft I’d never be able to crack.

“I believed that understanding finances was reserved for members of an exclusive club—one I was never invited to join and probably wouldn’t have belonged in anyway.”

Honestly, the thought of diving into investment strategies or getting tangled in financial lingo didn’t appeal to me. I dodged those topics like a pro. Why bother, right? After all, there were others who did what I considered boring. People like my parents, a wealth manager, or my significant other were in charge anyway. I convinced myself I was sitting pretty with an indestructible safety net. So, why worry?

Now, reflecting on my journey, it’s clear how overcoming that initial apprehension and stepping into the world of investments marked the turning point in my story, leading me to where I am today—a successful, empowered investor.

“I have been there – anxiety and a super UNpleasant wake-up call included”

What an eye-opener it turned out to be! The catalyst for change in my life was, quite unexpectedly, my divorce. It was a defining moment that completely altered my landscape. Suddenly, my safety net vanished into thin air. My parents were no longer around, and my ex? He was out of the financial picture for good. There I was, thrust into the driver’s seat of my financial life, and let me tell you, I was nowhere near ready. Clueless and anxious barely scratched the surface of how I felt.

“I was financially innocent, lacking both confidence and know-how. Vulnerable, spooked, I fell into a self-pitying loop “

But there was also something unexpected—a sense of independence that was as thrilling as it was terrifying. So, what was next? Sure, I had some money coming in, but not enough to keep up with my old lifestyle. I was caught between the fear of a drastic fall from grace and the buzz of real independence. And let me tell you, financial freedom comes with its own set of strings.

And for those throwing me pity parties, thinking I was left with empty pockets—nope, that’s not the case. But thanks for the concern! I actually inherited a pretty generous sum—multi-seven figures generous. It was high time I stepped up and made my money work for me!

After allowing myself a period of mourning and self-pity, I came to an important realization: I needed to shift my attitude towards money and embark on a learning journey about the financial sector and its mechanisms if I were to achieve financial literacy and competence.

Navigating the financial world solo? Not exactly my cup of tea—it’s pretty dull going it alone, honestly. So, in search of no-nonsense information, without the grind of course and a bit of hand-holding, I decided to find myself a mentor. Someone who could make this whole finance thing a bit more exciting and less stuffy.

Naturally, I thought my wealth manager would be the perfect candidate. But oh, how I was mistaken. His jargon-filled, condescending talk and the financial industry’s “old boys’ club” vibe only made me feel more out of place. It hit me: the financial industry isn’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for women, except for the ultra-large portfolios, and there I have my doubts about whose interest they really have in mind.

“I was Faced With A Challenge: The Multi-Billion Dollar Self-Help Industry Ignores womeN owning wealth–It Seems We Simply don´t exist”

Trust me, the beginning was a wild ride. Picture me searching for that elusive book of financial revelation, digging for answers, and mustering the courage to ask the questions everyone else seemed to know. I was fortunate; I had a good wealth manager; OK, he was condescending, but he made good choices. More importantly, had learned to listen, admittedly only under duress. Also, gut feeling served me well in the early days, but knowledge and common sense soon took over—allowing me not only to take control but to take responsibility for every decision I made.

Let me tell you, every bit of the journey paid off. Over time, my financial confidence grew and with it, my financial savvy began to sharpen bit by bit. Eventually, this creepy idea of ending up a bag lady had disappeared into thin air.

“Admitting total Ignorance, AND Vulnerabilities to A Complete Stranger was EmBARRASSing–My Pride Took a Hit”

Here I am, proud to be financially independent. But let’s be real—getting here meant I had to tweak my mindset; however, that alone wasn’t enough. I also had to put in some effort to boost my financial intelligence and learn the basics of the industry’s lingo.

Eventually, my real interest in the world of finance took off when I realised that financial savvy wasn’t about being a whiz at crunching numbers; it was more about how global politics affect the financial markets’ ups and downs and aligning the seemingly contradictory layers to make an informed investment decision.

I’d always had a strong interest in global politics, but once I recognised how closely political events and market movements are intertwined, that interest deepened. I realised that financial decision-making is, at its core, about being informed and using common sense.

“I SOON Realised, Financial Decision Making is Not About Numbers, Or Charts; it’s about overcoming the mental and emotional barriers that stop us from taking actioN”

Before I knew it, I became the go-to source of wealth and wisdom among my circle of friends. As my financial confidence flourished, I found myself helping friends see their own way through periods of financial angst. Today, as Mentoressa, I help my peers from around the globe approach their finances with confidence and informed intention. Why? How? I’d crafted a unique way of turning money talk into friendly gossip that resonated with friends–it wasn’t taboo anymore.

My journey kicked off in a place of financial worry. But after connecting the dots, tapping into various resources, and embracing the lessons from numerous missteps, I’ve come to see the value in my experiences. Now, as a Mentoressa for those with net worth to navigate, I’m here to unlock the immense potential that lies within female wealth owners.

It is my mission to mentor women from anxiety and uncertainty to a place of financial well-being—with empathy, guidance, and relaxed sophistication. My approach? Effortless, casual and avoiding the usual fluff. I’m committed to nurturing financial understanding and offering up all the refined insights necessary for genuine independence.

I am truly excited to take you on your journey to financial freedom!