Balancing motherhood with a thriving financial advisory career is no small feat. For Naomi Phua, a one-year MDRT member, the biggest challenge wasn’t about choosing between family and career — it was about managing time. “There were days when it felt like I was being stretched in every direction,” Phua recalls. “Juggling between diapers, deadlines, and dreams all at once.”

But instead of viewing her circumstances as limiting, Phua reframed them as an opportunity to grow. “Having limited time forced me to become laser focused. I learned to cut out the noise and give my energy only to what truly matters — my children, my clients, and my goals.”

A new perspective on work and relationships

Motherhood transformed her approach to both life and work. “It made me stronger, more focused, and more purposeful,” she shared. “When you’re a parent, every moment counts.” This newfound perspective made her more intentional with her time and more selective about the clients she serves.

Instead of trying to fulfil every client request, she chose to be more selective with who she spent her time on and focused on building meaningful relationships.

Rather than allocating equal time and resources to every of her 150 clients, she segments her client base, which mostly consists of young families and aspiring retirees, into tiers based on engagement, loyalty, and business value.

Priority clients (High-engagement):

These are clients who consistently bring business, refer others, and maintain a strong relationship. She prioritizes them with more personalized attention. This could come in the form of gifts, meals, one-on-one meetings, and proactive service. “My goal for these clients is to deepen loyalty and continue growing alongside them,” she explains.

Mass clients (Moderate engagement):

This group of clients may include occasional clients or those who were once active but less so now. “I engage them through group touchpoints such as annual meet-ups, newsletters, or seasonal check-ins. This ensures they remain connected without requiring intensive time investment.”

Low-touch clients (Low engagement or inactive):

“Clients in this tier have minimal or no recent activity with me. I would delegate interactions with these clients to my assistant or automated systems, ensuring they still receive basic service and communication when they need quick answers. If reactivation is possible, I remain open but my time remains focused on more creating more impactful and long-term client relationships,” she says.

This tiering system allows her to focus her energy where it matters most.

Shifting mindsets and optimizing for efficiency

While some may see motherhood as requiring trade-offs, Phua sees it differently. “Rather than viewing it as making sacrifices, I chose to shift my mindset. I didn’t give anything up — I learned to be more effective.” That meant building systems, delegating tasks, and being intentional with how she spends her time.

Phua credits her productivity to having structure and clear boundaries. She blocks out time every Monday to plan her entire work week. This includes dedicated time for client meetings, calls and family time. She treats family time with the same importance as business meetings, calling both “non-negotiables”. This discipline helps her stay grounded and avoid burnout.

Motherhood also reshaped how she structures her business. “Before becoming a mother, I had the luxury of time and flexibility. But motherhood taught me the true value of time. Now, I operate with intention — I don’t chase every opportunity. I choose the ones that truly align.”

To help her achieve this, she leverages technology and outsources certain day-to-day tasks. “For efficiency, I engaged a personal assistant and make use of ChatGPT to speed up my working process. Instead of doing everything by myself, I learnt how to delegate menial tasks such as paperwork or answering a client’s frequently asked question while I handle work that requires my financial advisory knowledge,” she shares.

Achieving greater heights in motherhood

Phua’s path to achieving Court of the Table was never about chasing a title — it was about growth, purpose, and pushing past perceived limits. “It was nothing short of transformational,” she shares.

As a mother of three, her “why” has always been crystal clear: to create a better life for her family and to be a role model for her children. Having this definitive motivation drives her every day and prevents her from being distracted. “It makes me sharper and more determined. Achieving Court of the Table isn’t just a professional milestone — it’s a personal triumph,” she says.

Contact: MDRTeditorial@teamlewis.com

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How motherhood helped me achieve Court of the Table