Katya’s journey began…
…in Russia living within modest means. Later her family had to seek in Switzerland starting life from scratch. An experience that deeply shaped her resilience. Through embracing Islam, she discovered a new perspective on life’s purpose thanks to her faith. Alhamdulillah. Through those years, money felt like something others managed – parents, institutions, men – until life taught her that she must take that responsibility herself.
When she met Selvie, everything changed. Through Her Islamic Finance program, she learned that financial growth is not only possible but deeply spiritual when done with the right intention and knowledge. Today, she approaches money with confidence and knowledge and hopes her story encourages other sisters to begin their own journey toward barakah and empowerment.
One word to describe your money journey over the past 2 years in the HIF community:
GROWTH. Not just financial, but emotional, personal, and spiritual. I went from fear and avoidance to understanding and empowerment.
What first sparked your interest in halal investing?
Honestly, curiosity mixed with confusion. I had never thought about investing because it always felt like something “for rich people” or even possibly haram. But Selvie explained it in a way that made it approachable and faith-aligned. It made me realize that learning is the first step towards empowerment.
Your biggest fear when you started the program?
My biggest fear was doing something wrong Islamically. I didn’t have much knowledge about halal finance and felt intimidated by words like “investment” or “stocks”. But what helped me was the trust and sisterhood I found in the program. Selvie explained everything with so much patience – like a big sister holding your hand, guiding you step by step.
Your first investment and when was it?
The program itself! 😊 I call it my first (and best) investment so far. Two years after enrolling, I made my first actual investment in a couple of ETFs, filtered for halal compliance and excluding companies I chose to boycott for peace of mind.
How did it feel?
It felt like an achievement. Like finally becoming a responsible adult taking care of her finances. Paradoxically, it also felt a bit bitter: why didn’t I start earlier?! Now that I understand the power of compound investments, I sometimes pity all the time I “wasted” not investing.
After completing the Literacy program, what’s one go-to money habit you’ve built?
I learned to set up automations that serve me monthly for the rest of my life. The best part of HIF’s budgeting advice is that you don’t have to fight your psychology anymore. You make good decisions once and they work for you on autopilot.
Investing is important, but what’s one thing you’ll happily spend on guilt-free?
Travelling. I believe it’s one of the few things you spend on that makes you richer internally. Also, sadaqa and spending on family, because the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Sadaqa doesn’t reduce wealth,” and “The best dinar is the dinar spent on your family.”
What keeps you motivated on this journey?
The HIF community is incredibly motivating. Regular check-ins and individual coaching are immensely valuable – they help me face my questions and insecurities, and give me the courage to take the next steps.
Is there a Quranic verse or hadith about money/wealth that inspires you?
Allah says in the Qur’an: “If you are grateful, I will increase you.” (Surah Ibrahim 14:7)
I’ve personally witnessed the power of gratitude – financially, psychologically, and spiritually.
What’s your advice to a sister just starting out? Would you recommend this course to her?
Educate yourself, trust the process, be consistent and take action. Your future wealthy you is in your hands 😉 I would recommend this course to every sister who wants to learn how to take care of her finances.
Next big money goal?
I have started investing in ETFs and now I want to learn more about commodity investing and optimization strategies.
Ready to Start?
Ready to Start?
We created the Her Investing Program so you never have to walk this journey alone. With sisterhood, halal guidance, and real-world tools, you’ll feel confident investing your money with purpose and barakah.
Her Islamic Finance is your Swiss-based Finance Educator taking Muslimah’s all over the world through Financial Literacy – Investing – Leaving Their Legacy. Read the 5-star Reviews of our Thriving Community here.