A Trailblazer in Financial Services

Nonhlanhla (Noni) Nxele, CFP®, founder of Esteemed Financial Solutions, is a distinguished financial planner with over 16 years of experience in the financial services industry. Her journey began at Liberty in 2018, where she quickly made a name for herself, becoming the Financial Advisor of the Year in her branch. Eager to expand her knowledge, Noni transitioned to Investec Asset Management (now Ninety One) before returning to Liberty, where she continued to excel in her role, earning multiple awards.

In 2014, Noni registered her own company, and by 2015, she was fully operational under the name Tokoloho Financial Services. However, the challenges posed by COVID-19 prompted her to rebrand, and Esteemed Financial Solutions was born—a brand that has been well received in the market.

Noni’s commitment to professionalism and excellence led her to pursue the prestigious CFP® designation, a journey marked by both professional and personal challenges. Motivated by Robert McDonald, a facilitator in one of her programs, she decided to take the leap. Despite losing her sister during her first attempt, Noni persisted and successfully obtained her CFP® certification in 2021.

In recognition of her efforts, Noni was honored with the It Starts With Me award at the Financial Planning Institute’s convention, acknowledging her contributions to pro bono work and her dedication to educating and empowering communities. She carries her CFP® designation with pride, viewing it as a symbol of trust, integrity, and ethical standards in financial planning.

As a leader in her field, Noni continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of financial planners, particularly within the black community of independent financial advisors. Her advice to young advisors is to remain focused, resilient, and committed to their goals, despite the challenges that lie ahead.

Take away

1. Journey in Financial Services: Noni has over 16 years of experience in the financial services industry, starting as a financial advisor at Liberty and later gaining investment experience at Investec Asset Management.

2. Establishing Her Business: Noni founded her own company, initially named Tokoloho Financial Services, in 2014. She rebranded it as Esteemed Financial Solutions during COVID-19 due to communication challenges with clients regarding the original name.

3. Achieving the CFP® Designation: Noni earned her CFP® designation in 2021 after overcoming personal challenges, including the loss of her sister. She views the CFP® as a symbol of professionalism, integrity, and ethical standards in financial planning.

4. Recognition with the It Starts With Me Award: Noni was honored with the prestigious It Starts With Me award at the Financial Planning Institute's convention, recognizing her commitment to pro bono work, ethical leadership, and dedication to empowering others.

5. Pro Bono Work and Community Involvement: Noni is passionate about educating and empowering her community, often engaging in pro bono work without the expectation of personal gain.

6. Resilience and Advice to Aspiring Advisors: Noni emphasizes the importance of focus, resilience, and sticking to one’s goals despite challenges. She encourages upcoming financial planners to develop a “crocodile skin” to survive in the industry.

These points capture the essence of Noni's inspiring journey and her advice to others in the financial planning space.