Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzanne Daniels.
Hi Suzanne, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey began with over 30 years of legal experience in South Africa. I was deeply immersed in law and business consulting, working with clients to navigate complex financial landscapes. In 2021, I faced a monumental shift when I boldly decided to start over in the U.S. at the age of 51. It was a difficult transition but also an opportunity to reshape my future and chart a new path.
Sadly, just three years later, I experienced the loss of my partner on the anniversary of our move. This loss forced me to reevaluate everything from my personal life to my professional path. I channeled my grief into a more profound commitment to my mission: to help others, particularly women, navigate financial uncertainty and protect what they’ve worked hard to build.
Throughout this journey, my daughter, Emma, has been one of my most significant sources of inspiration. As a blind woman, she has defied expectations and pursued her career in a way that’s nothing short of remarkable. Emma’s courage and determination have been a constant reminder of the power of resilience and the importance of creating a life that aligns with one’s purpose—no matter the obstacles. Watching her navigate her professional life gracefully and determinedly has only strengthened my commitment to empowering others, especially women, to do the same.
In that moment of personal loss, I realized I could combine my decades of legal and business expertise with a new focus: helping women, particularly those navigating major life transitions, take control of their financial futures. I created my brand to provide professional women with the tools and support to protect their wealth, grow their financial security, and leave a legacy for future generations.
Today, I work as a Financial Legacy Strategist, blending legal expertise with financial planning to help my clients optimize their wealth and design lasting legacies. Through my Three-Pillar Wealth Optimization System™, I guide women to keep more of what they earn, grow their wealth through smart investments, and leave a meaningful legacy.
It hasn’t been easy, but my journey has shaped how I approach my work. The challenges I’ve faced, alongside the example Emma continues to set, have grounded my mission in empathy, authenticity, and a deep understanding of the complexities many women face, especially when balancing career, family, and financial goals. I’m now focused on helping others build wealth with purpose, navigate transitions confidently, and create a legacy that will stand the test of time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it certainly hasn’t been a smooth road, and I think the challenges have been some of my journey’s most defining aspects.
When I decided to move to the U.S. at 51, I stepped into a new professional, personal, and cultural environment. That in itself was a huge adjustment. I had to rebuild my professional network from scratch, understand the complexities of a new market, and figure out how to navigate a completely different business landscape. The challenges of starting over as an older woman, especially in an industry that often values youth and new trends, were undoubtedly present.
Then, just a few years later, I faced the heartbreaking loss of my partner. It was a devastating blow, both emotionally and professionally. That loss tested my resilience in ways I hadn’t expected. There were days when the weight of grief and uncertainty felt overwhelming. But in that pain, I also found the motivation to keep going, knowing that I had to create something meaningful for myself and my daughter, Emma, and the other women I hoped to serve.
On top of that, as a business owner, there are constant hurdles: cash flow challenges, marketing strategies that don’t always work out as planned, and figuring out the right way to scale my offerings. However, perhaps the most difficult challenge has been balancing my career and being a mom to Emma, who is blind. She’s faced hurdles in building a career and navigating life, and as her mother, there’s an added layer of responsibility and emotional investment. Helping her follow her career dreams while growing my business has been a joy and a balancing act.
But despite all the struggles, these challenges have ultimately been the driving force behind what I do today. They’ve shaped my approach to client care, taught me the importance of resilience, and reinforced my commitment to empowering women to take control of their financial futures. While challenging, these experiences have made me who I am today: more assertive, empathetic, and deeply committed to my work.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Daniels Business Consulting, I help professional women, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals give meaning to the words “rest in peace” in the now. As the creator of the Three-Pillar Wealth Optimization System™, I guide clients to achieve financial peace today while building a lasting legacy for the future. My approach combines over 30 years of legal expertise with strategic financial planning to help clients protect, grow, and preserve their wealth.
The Three-Pillar Wealth Optimization System™ focuses on three key areas:
Keep More: Protecting and maximizing what you earn by implementing tax strategies, legal structures, and asset protection measures to minimize liabilities.
Grow More: Tailoring investment and insurance strategies to grow your wealth securely and provide financial security for the future.
Leave More: Creating comprehensive estate plans that ensure your legacy is protected, efficiently passed on, and free from unnecessary tax burdens.
What sets me apart is the combination of my legal expertise and financial strategy, paired with my personal experience. As a grieving widow, single mom, and parent of a blind child, I have a deep understanding of the emotional challenges women face in balancing family, career, and financial goals. This unique perspective allows me to offer a more empathetic, personalized approach to wealth optimization that resonates with my clients.
I am most proud of the Legacy Navigator™ Membership, which will be launched in he coming weeks; I created it to support and empower women in their financial journeys. This community offers valuable resources, ongoing support, and a safe space for women to share, learn, and grow together as they take control of their financial futures.
I want your readers to know that my brand is about more than just wealth management. It’s about helping women “rest in peace” in the now by securing their financial futures through tailored solutions in estate planning, tax optimization, and investment growth. My goal is to give women the tools and strategies they need to protect what they’ve built, grow their wealth, and design a legacy that will endure generations to come.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk is a fundamental part of personal and professional growth, and I’ve always believed that calculated risk is necessary for success. While I may not always label myself as a “big risk-taker,” I believe in stepping outside my comfort zone when the growth potential aligns with my values and long-term goals.
One of the most significant risks I took was moving to the U.S. in 2021 at 51. This life-changing decision involved not only adapting to a new country and culture but also rebuilding my professional life from scratch. It wasn’t just about me; it was about supporting my daughter, Emma, and ensuring she had the best possible opportunities in her own life, especially as a blind woman navigating her career. That decision was risky, but the motivation to provide her with more resources, opportunities, and a new environment outweighed the fear of the unknown. The risk involved not knowing exactly how things would unfold, but I was driven by the belief that I could create a better future for both of us.
Another significant risk I took was starting my own business after years of working within large institutions. The financial and emotional investment in my company, especially as a widow and single mom, required a leap of faith. But the need for autonomy and the desire to have a more meaningful impact on people’s lives drove me to take the plunge. This risk paid off because it aligned with my passion for helping women build financial security and legacy, but it certainly involved uncertainty and challenges.
Regarding risk, I think it’s vital to balance intuition with careful planning. I don’t believe in reckless risk-taking. For me, risk means weighing the potential for growth against the possibility of loss. Before taking any significant steps, I consider the impact on my values, the preparedness of my resources, and whether I have the correct support systems in place. I also assess whether the risk will bring me closer to my larger purpose, whether it will help me create a future that’s not only financially secure but emotionally fulfilling.
In my work, I help my clients approach risk in a way that’s thoughtful and strategic. For example, in wealth management, I encourage them to take calculated risks in their investments that are always aligned with their financial goals and risk tolerance. I also remind them that not taking risks can sometimes carry its risks, especially in terms of missed opportunities.
Growth requires stepping into the unknown, but it should always be backed by careful consideration and a clear vision of the future. Risk is an inevitable part of progress, and as long as we approach it with awareness and purpose, it can lead to rewarding outcomes.
Pricing:
- Estate Planning Services start at $2,000
- Foundation Wealth Accelerator $2,000
- Intermediate Wealth Accelerator $5,000
- Advanced Experience Wealth Accelerator $10,000
- Legacy Navigator Membership starts at $9 per month
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzannedanielsofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.daniels3/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannemdaniels/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SuzanneDanielsOfficial
