Even if the name Fintel Connect doesn’t ring a bell, you’ve likely encountered the company’s work. Fintel Connect operates as a marketing partner for the financial sector, connecting aggregator websites with banks and other financial institutions. The company provides tracking links, application platforms and other tools that help distribute financial products like credit cards, while also supporting social media and influencer marketing. Founded in 2018 by CEO Nicky Senyard (pictured above, right), the company also counts chief revenue officer Alana Levine among its founding team. Both are passionate about finance and about helping Canadians access sound products. Below, they share personal views on money, saving, investing and the lessons that have shaped their financial thinking.
Who are your money heroes?
Alana: I admire Sallie Krawcheck and the work she’s doing with Ellevest; she’s reshaping how women approach wealth building.
Nicky: I follow a variety of thought leaders and borrow tactics that suit my goals. One influencer I particularly respect is Jessica Moorhouse. She’s excellent at addressing financial challenges and wins in a relatable way—especially for millennials—without dumbing things down.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Alana: I love staying active—hiking, tennis, swimming and skiing in winter. Being outdoors and spending time with family and friends keeps me energized.
If money were no object, what would you be doing right now?
Alana: I’d be traveling—on a boat or a plane somewhere new.
Nicky: A career workshop I attended in my 20s asked this and I realized I was already doing what I’d choose: building a business I enjoy. If money weren’t a factor today, I’d probably travel more now that my son lives abroad, but I’m content with my work.
What was your earliest memory about money?
Alana: I grew up in a culture that emphasized scarcity and saving for a rainy day. That mindset influenced my early views on money, but over time my relationship with money has evolved significantly.
Nicky: Money has always been a source of both stress and opportunity in my life. My earliest memory is tied to that stress, but through reflection I’ve come to see money as a tool that enables creation and experiences rather than something that controls me.
What’s the first thing you remember buying with your own money?
Alana: I bought a watch at Bloomingdale’s with the money I’d saved that summer before school. I still wear it almost every day.
Nicky: I started working in retail at 15 and I spent my early paycheques at the store where I worked. I can’t recall the exact first purchase, but I do remember the thrill of independence.
What was your first job?
Alana: I worked as a receptionist at my high school tennis club, which came with plenty of free court time. I saved that income and used it to buy my watch.
Nicky: My first paid job was in retail. It taught me the basics of earning, saving and planning for future purchases.
What was the biggest money lesson you learned as an adult?
Alana: Start investing early and understand your risk tolerance. Use available resources—government programs, tax-advantaged accounts and suitable investment vehicles—to make the most of your money.
Nicky: Let money flow. Trying to hoard or lock it down often stalls progress. I aim to spend deliberately and purposefully while still letting money circulate in ways that build value.
What’s the best money advice you’ve ever received?
Alana: Nicky once told me to think of money as energy: it ebbs and flows and you can continually generate more of it. Save for the future and be prepared for surprises, but don’t deny yourself life’s pleasures within your means.
Nicky: Respect money, but don’t let it control you. That balance—being responsible without letting money dictate your life—has stuck with me.
What’s the worst money advice you’ve ever received?
Alana: The early lessons that framed money only in scarcity terms—never spending on wants—were limiting. Life is short, so strive for a balance between prudence and enjoyment.
Nicky: “Always save for a rainy day” can be too simplistic. Saving is important, but it can take many forms: cash savings, investments, or growth-oriented assets like real estate. Building and saving together is often more effective than only accumulating cash.
Would you rather receive a large sum of money all at once or smaller regular amounts for life?
Alana: I’d likely choose a lump sum for the flexibility it offers.
Nicky: Ignoring time-value math, I’d prefer a lump sum too—especially if it’s tax-efficient—because it gives you control over how to allocate and grow it.
What do you think is the most underrated financial advice, tip or strategy?
Alana: Use government programs and take full advantage of the tools available to grow your wealth.
Nicky: Financial transparency: know exactly where your money comes from and where it goes. This clarity provides a foundation for confident decisions and long-term financial freedom.
What is the biggest misconception people have about growing money?
Alana: That you need a lot of money to start. Small, consistent actions can grow wealth over time.
Nicky: Many people assume growing money is hard. With planning, education and the right strategies, it becomes manageable—and you can learn to do it independently.
Can you share a money regret?
Alana: Not starting to invest sooner and relying too much on others to manage my finances. I wish I had taken control earlier.
Nicky: I’ve had typical regrets—impulse buys or investments that didn’t work out. I try to reframe those moments as learning opportunities rather than lingering regrets.
What does the word “value” mean to you?
Alana: Value measures what you’re willing to invest time, energy or money into. For me, travel and cultural experiences deliver enormous personal value.
Nicky: Value is subjective. My husband and I often disagree on what’s worth spending on, and that’s OK. Recognizing that different people assign importance differently helps me accept my own spending choices.
What’s the first major purchase you made as an adult?
Alana: I bought my first car.
Nicky: Buying my first home in the late ’90s was my most nerve-wracking purchase. Saving the deposit and navigating the mortgage process was stressful, but owning that modest suburban house felt like a real achievement.
What’s your take on debt?
Alana: Debt can be valuable when you manage it and stay in control.
Nicky: I view debt as a tool to build wealth. While it makes some people uneasy, when used strategically it can help accelerate financial growth.
What was your most recent splurge?
Alana: Plane tickets—travel is my favourite splurge.
Nicky: I recently celebrated a milestone birthday with a weekend away with friends. For me, that experience felt like a meaningful splurge—memories that stick.
What is the last money-related book you read?
Alana: I read Predictably Irrational, which explores how people behave around money—useful for anyone in sales or marketing.
Nicky: I read The Founders, a book on entrepreneurship that offers lessons from other business builders.
What is something you always have in your wallet?
Alana: A credit card and a business card.
Nicky: A credit card. I keep most valuables and photos on my phone.
What is your favourite possession?
Alana: My photographs.
Nicky: My yoga mat. During COVID I began a regular yoga practice and now make time for it regularly.
What’s your next money goal?
Alana: Buy property.
Nicky: Continue building businesses. I’m focused on growing a company that becomes a meaningful part of the financial industry.
My MoneySense quick questions
Rent or own?
Alana: Rent where you live and own for investments.
Nicky: I’ve both rented and owned. Each has pros and cons—owning feels great, but renting can make more economic sense in some situations.
Buy or lease?
Alana: Buy.
Save or invest?
Alana: Invest.
Nicky: I generally lean toward investing—whether in ideas, businesses or the markets—as a way to build more over time.
Budget or not?
Alana: Absolutely budget.
Nicky: A budget creates a stable foundation. It gives structure and allows room for the unexpected and the occasional splurge.
Read more My MoneySense profiles:
- Reni Odetoyinbo on why you should pay yourself first and have multiple streams of income
- The one thing influencers Steph & Den want you to know about retirement
- The Pink Taxauthor Janine Rogan on how she stopped impulse buying and started building wealth
- Kristy Shen on living the FIRE life and using money to “buy back time”