A Gentle Note Before We Begin

It’s not about “what’s wrong with you,” but “what’s happened to you.” (Gabor Maté) 

In society, we’re often led to believe that financial challenges are solely personal—rooted in individual responsibility and self-discipline. This perspective can quickly lead to feelings of blame and shame around money. 

This is an invitation to shift to a more compassionate view. Beliefs about money are deeply rooted, the result of a rich tapestry of life experiences, family patterns, cultural expectations, and even echoes of generational trauma.

In business, there’s often pressure to "put on the CEO hat" and leave emotions aside. However, these ingrained beliefs and responses often shape our financial choices in subtle ways, even when we’re not fully aware of them. By approaching these patterns with curiosity and self-compassion, you can gain valuable insight into how they influence your financial journey. This awareness lets you move forward with intention, choosing patterns that support your dreams while gently releasing those that don’t.

It’s worth acknowledging the broader systems we all live within dominated by capitalism and consumerism which thrive on scarcity and 'never enoughness', which shapes our beliefs and behaviours around money in powerful ways. While these forces influence us all, we have the capacity to respond to them with greater awareness.

If exploring your results brings up any complex feelings, know that this is a completely natural response. Feel free to take a moment to pause, feel the ground beneath you, and take a deep breath.

You’re not alone on this journey!

With empathy and empowerment,

Harriet x

 Your financial archetype is…

THE TURTLE! 

🐢 The Cautious Money Avoider – You Prefer Stability Over Change

Does this sound familiar?

As a Turtle, you tend to play it safe when it comes to money. Avoiding financial topics that feel too tricky. You prioritise stability and seek to minimise risk, often sticking with familiar routines and low-stakes financial decisions.

This may manifest as: putting off investments or delaying decisions until you feel fully secure.

Examples of your financial behaviour might include: avoiding looking at your bank account or engaging in financial discussions or tasks unless absolutely necessary. You may feel 'guilty' that you are ignoring your finances.

Strengths/Benefits of the Turtle Archetype

• Prudent spender: Being naturally cautious with spending, helps safeguard you and your business from unexpected downturns.
• Plans ahead: You prioritise financial security, avoiding impulsive decisions.

The Turtle’s cautious approach can be a real asset in business, as it reduces the risk of sudden financial setbacks.

Your focus on stability helps ensure that your business has a safety net, making you well-prepared for downturns or unexpected expenses. By prioritising financial security, you create a reliable foundation for long-term sustainability.

Potential Downsides/Areas for Growth for Turtles

• 'Overly' Influenced by scarcity: You may have a 'scarcity mindset', leading to constant worry about not having enough - rather than being able to live in the moment and embrace opportunities.
• Decision making based on worries: You may often focus so much on saving for the “what ifs” that you miss out on opportunities to enjoy the success you've built.
• Shut down: You can become so risk-averse that you struggle to engage in essential 'business as usual' financial activities or topics. And may be unable to make decisions or investments in your own business growth, personal well-being (and fun!)

While your caution protects you, it can sometimes lead to stagnation.

Avoiding risk entirely may cause you to miss out on valuable opportunities for growth, such as investments in technology, new hires, or marketing efforts.

Your tendency to avoid challenging financial discussions can also leave you feeling stuck or uncertain about how to evolve your business. You may be unsure what's actually going on with your finances as you've been putting off looking for so long.

Three Practical Money Tips To Move Forward

This is an invitation to practice enjoying the present by making small, intentional investments in experiences or tools that enhance your business and well-being. Experiment within safe limits and build comfort with adaptability, building a 'good enough' mentality to reduce procrastination.

1. Create a Fund for Small Experiments

Dedicate a small portion of your budget for trying new initiatives, even simple things like attending a workshop or event. This lets you safely explore innovative ideas which are low cost/low risk if they don't work out.

2. Reward Yourself Regularly

Use banking tools to set up an automatic transfer to a 'fun money' fund that’s dedicated to current enjoyment, like small treats or self-care. Creating a safe outlet to enjoy your money without fear.

3. Partner with an Accountability Buddy

Connect with another business pal or mentor who can help you set small, achievable financial goals. Having a partner to discuss decisions with can reduce anxiety, encourage and support you to take positive financial actions or routines.

Your Money Mantra

“I am safe and steady in my financial growth. I trust myself to take small, confident steps forward.”

Reflections

Jot down your thoughts on your quiz results and report:

• What really resonates?
• Did you get any surprises or revelations?
• Is there anything you disagree with in the results?
• What's one thing you can let go off?
• What's one thing you can start doing?

Explore the results for the other archetypes

When you completed the quiz, you would have seen a percentage score for each archetype right away. In this pilot phase, however, we’re only able to retrieve your highest-scoring archetype for later reference, so we can’t access the full percentage breakdown again.

If you can remember or took a screenshot—perfect! You can now explore the reports for other archetypes you also scored highly in below:

🦉 The Owl: The Meticulous Money Planner

🦌 The Deer: The Hesitant Observer

🐿️ The Squirrel: The Savvy Saver

🦁 The Lion: The Bold Risk-Taker

🦎 The Chameleon: The Flexible Adapter

Thanks so much for getting curious 🧭

We’d love to hear your thoughts—just a few quick questions to help us make this even better and create resources that really work for you!

🔗Complete this quick follow-up questionnaire🔗

 

Hi👋, I’m Harriet!

A Radical Fractional CFO, ICAEW Chartered Accountant, Trauma of Money Certified™ Practitioner, and Executive Business Coach. I support purpose-driven founders, SMEs, and startups who are changing the world for the better.

After years in the corporate world, I became disillusioned with serving 'faceless entities' and wanted my work to create real impact. So in 2020, I founded Below The Line Finance to go back to supporting founders who want their finances to fuel their creativity and mission - not limit them.

“For too long, creative people have been led to believe they’re just ‘bad with money,’ and I am here to change that!

Financial fears and anxieties are real and valid, and I honour that in my work, inviting a holistic, trauma-informed approach where finance becomes an enabler rather than a blocker.”

Money With Soul

I challenge the lie we all heard at school: that you could either be “kind, creative, and poor” OR “good with numbers and successful.” This narrative keeps brilliant people playing small, and I’m here to help rewrite that story.

Our financial outcomes are deeply influenced by our beliefs about money - whether it’s fear, shame, or past experiences. Traditional finance ignores these emotional drivers, but I’ve seen the transformative power of working through them. My approach combines logical, strategic expertise with compassion and intuition.

Together, we’ll build a financial foundation where you can be uniquely you—creative, ethical, and financially empowered.

The Good Life 🌱

From my meadow-side office in Somerset, surrounded by retired racehorses, ponies, and my gaggle of dogs, I help founders build sustainable, profitable businesses that stay true to their values.

Through 1:1 consultations, courses, retainers, mentorships, and workshops, I bring a human touch to finance, showing that ethical profits and positive impact can thrive alongside fun, creativity and solid strategy.

Resources to Support Your Journey

Follow for Insights: Find me on Instagram @belowthelinefinance for values-driven finance tips.

Listen In: My podcast Voice Notes From Your CFO Bestie explores the human side to practical money management in business.

 Get Number Savvy: Finance training platform that pairs practical advice with emotional depth, helping you make aligned, impactful decisions.

Receive 1:1 Support: Money Awakening Intensive 

"You're finances can both feel good and do good - so let's make it happen!"

P.S. Watch your inbox for resources to turn finance into a positive, empowering force in your business journey!