Meghna Dixit is founder and CEO at Mevan Consulting. The Indian expatriate, 43, has been living in Dubai for 10 years, and says that one of her greatest life lessons is learning her own value, while her business has been the greatest teacher.

If you had to write a letter to money, what would you say?

Dear Money, we’ve had quite a journey. As a child, I believed I was a princess, rich in love and joy. But adulthood taught me otherwise. You became my measure of safety and self-worth, especially as a brown woman building her life on her own terms. Later, when I left a leadership role to be a stay-at-home mum in Dubai, I felt undeserving of you. That’s when the real work began, healing my relationship with you, learning I’m worthy of abundance simply because I exist.

How would you describe your relationship with money?

Money and I are now in a mature, evolving partnership. It’s no longer an emotional rollercoaster of scarcity or excess; it’s a strategic alliance. I’ve shifted from chasing it to co-creating with it. Today, money is a collaborator in the life and legacy I’m building.

How was this relationship was formed?

It was forged through major life pivots. After two decades in corporate HR, I chose to be a stay-at-home mum. No income, no title — my self-worth took a hit. Even as a creator, asking for money felt awkward. It took journalling, therapy, and generational unlearning to rewrite my story. But launching Mevan Consulting was the full-circle moment. Because now, my income is tied to impact — not job titles.

Which money lessons did you learn from your mother?

My mother came from generational wealth but married for love — a man with two months of work experience and a lifetime of potential. She worked to support our family before choosing to be a stay-at-home mum. Yet, she never made us feel a sense of lack. She taught me that money isn’t just about earning, it’s about energy, alignment, and belief. 

Who do you speak to about money matters, and is it something you consider ‘taboo’?

Not at all. I believe silence around money breeds disempowerment. I discuss money candidly with my husband, who works in private equity, and my core team at Mevan—including my CA and CFO. Through Mevan Momentum Hub, Goddess Circle, and my courses, I’ve created spaces where conversations about pricing, investing, and an abundance mindset aren’t just welcomed—they’re encouraged. Money deserves honesty, not shame.

What do you think has been the most profound experience you’ve had so far in relation to money?

In 2023, I invested in a business incubator here in Dubai. The CEO and his vision felt right — but the shareholder agreement didn’t match the MOU. I had to walk away. Six months later, I recovered my capital, but the unpaid dues are still pending. The lesson? No matter how aligned the vision, get everything vetted. Now, through Mevan, I’ve built what I was once looking for — no fake sales pitch, just bold tools, clever tech, real growth, and results that speak for themselves.

How do you think living in the UAE has changed your relationship with and perception of money?

Dubai recalibrates your sense of scale. Here, ambition is currency. I’ve learned that wealth isn’t just about accumulation — it’s about deployment. Living here shifted me from earning a living to building an ecosystem.

If you could give your child or your younger self one piece of money advice now, what would that be?

Before you invest in stocks, invest in your ability to communicate your value to the world. Build your personal brand with integrity, believe you are worthy of wealth and abundance and create a community around your purpose. Returns from an authentic brand will outperform those of any traditional investment.

How much do you plan to have by the time you are 65?

I don’t have a fixed number in mind but I do have a feeling I’m chasing. It’s the freedom to live with dignity, without ever compromising my values. To give my daughter not just wealth, but wisdom. To grow old with my husband in utmost financial freedom, enough to pour back into the communities.

wknd@khaleejtimes.com