Simona Minikaitiene was recently interviewed by TheCelebrity.Online Magazine and below is the Q&A session we had with her.

Simona Minikaitiene As Cover Story Interview – February 2025 Edition

How do you introduce yourself?

I’m Simona Minikaitiene, a mother, wife and a mortgage broker & the founder of SM Finance Lounge. My journey has been anything but ordinary. I grew up in Lithuania in a big family (6 kids!!!), and when I was 15, we moved to the UK without knowing a word of English. That transition was one of the hardest times in my life, but it also shaped who I am today—resilient, determined, and always pushing myself forward.

At 16, I met my husband, and at 18 we got married and  I became a mother. I knew people judged me for being a young mom, but I didn’t care—I was determined to give my children the best life possible. My passion for helping others led me to the mortgage industry, where I started from the ground up and eventually built my own successful, FCA-authorized brokerage.

Now, I’m 31, happily married for over 13 years, a proud mother of two pre-teens, and a businesswoman who truly cares about making homeownership possible for everyone. Oh, and when I’m not working, I’m probably traveling, having a photoshoot, learning Spanish, listening to the sea noises or spoiling my pug and miniature poodle!

Childhood to Adulthood – How was your transition from childhood to adulthood and what are the bad and good things you remember?

Growing up in Lithuania was exciting—big family gatherings, cold winters where school was canceled only if it was below -25°C, and warm summers reaching 30°C. I had a close bond with my grandparents, and my grandfather was my role model, gran used to tell him ”help her with that question of maths” and he would answer ”then she will never learn” and he was so right, I used to be angry then, now I understand. Losing him to cancer seven years ago was incredibly tough, but I now have my grandmother living with us, and I’m grateful for that.

Moving to the UK at 15 was a huge shock. I didn’t speak English and felt completely lost. My parents saw it as an ‘opportunity country,’ but at the time, I thought they were being selfish for uprooting me. I cried every day in my room, missing Lithuania, until I forced myself to adapt. I joined the Newlap Project to learn English, and little by little, I built a new life here. That experience taught me that no matter how hard things seem, you can always find a way forward

Struggle – What hardships have you gone through in life?

There have been many challenges, but the hardest were:
✅ Moving to a new country at 15—feeling isolated, struggling with language, and starting from zero.
✅ Becoming a mother at 18—juggling motherhood, financial worries, and figuring out how to build a future.
✅ Navigating the mortgage industry—from knowing nothing about it to running my own company and going through the tough FCA approval process.

One defining moment was when my firstborn had to be re-hospitalized days after birth because his skin was turning yellow- he had jaundice. I was exhausted, stressed, and unsure if I could handle motherhood. My husband held my hand and said, ‘We got this.’ That was the moment I truly realized—we weren’t just a couple; we were a team. And 13 years later, I still see us as a team- of four now.“

What do people usually not know about you?

At first glance, people think I’m a tough, confident person. But those who know me well would tell you that I’m actually a crybaby! I tear up during movies, emotional speeches, even teacher-parent meetings if there’s a touching moment. My kids already know to check if I have tissues ready!

Another thing—when I first moved to England, I had some funny misunderstandings with the language. I thought ‘To Let’ signs meant ‘free toilets’ and once, in college, I didn’t know how to say ‘tent,’ so I described it as ‘the house you go to the field and build to sleep in.’ Everyone burst out laughing, but that’s how I learned English—by trial and error.

What sets you apart from your competitors in the industry and in life?

In both life and business, I give my whole heart. When I work with a client, I treat their mortgage or protection policy as if it were my own. I take the time to find not just the ‘cheapest’ option, but the best affordable and suitable deal for them.

Unlike some brokers who might focus only on high-value clients, I don’t care whether someone needs a £40,000 mortgage or £400,000—everyone gets the same attention and effort from me. I strongly believe that today you might have a million, tomorrow you might have nothing, and people deserve respect no matter what.

In life, my biggest success is not just my career—it’s my family. My dream is that when my children grow up, they will always want to come home, spend holidays with us, and ask for our advice. That’s why I balance work with my biggest priority—them. 

What are your upcoming major events – Unforgettable Moments or products/services that you want to promote/inform?

One of my biggest achievements is that on February 3rd, 2025, my company, SM Finance Lounge, will officially become an FCA-authorized mortgage brokerage.

For me, this is not just a title—it’s a symbol of everything I’ve built. Coming to the UK with no English, raising kids at a young age, learning a completely new industry, and now running a successful company that meets the highest regulatory standards—it still feels surreal.

I received the FCA approval email while heading to my company’s Christmas party. I was on the train with my colleague, teary-eyed, and I actually asked her to pinch me because I couldn’t believe it was real! That moment meant everything to me.

What are your food preferences and physical attributes?

I’m a huge foodie, and my absolute favorite is Turkish cuisine. The way they cook their meat—never dry, always flavorful—is incredible. And that tzatziki? Perfection! I also love a good lager every now and then, but I’m not a huge champagne fan.

I love traveling, and my favorite country after the UK is Spain. The language, the culture, the music, the food, and of course—the weather! I’m even learning Spanish because I find languages fascinating.

Your love life, relationships and family?

I met my husband when I was 16, and six months into our relationship, on Valentine’s Day, he took me to a mountain overlooking a town below. It was freezing, the stars were out, and I had no idea what was coming. He suddenly got down on one knee and said, ‘I’ve had girlfriends before, but I never imagined spending my life with them. With you, I do. I want a family with you. Will you marry me?’

I said yes, and he even had champagne waiting in the car boot! He was so well-prepared. We planned to marry in 2012, and when I got pregnant, I told him, ‘I’m not giving birth as a Miss; I must be a Mrs!’ So, we planned our wedding in just a few months and had a beautiful two-day celebration in Lithuania.

Now, 14 years later, we are still a team, raising our two amazing children, and building a life together.

What expert advice would you like to give?

Don’t take anything for granted. I’ve seen people lose their health overnight, accidents happen, and life change in an instant. Don’t wait for later. Your children will grow up, people get older, time passes. The coffee gets cold. Enjoy what you have today.

You don’t need to be a millionaire to live a full and happy life. What truly matters is when your child runs into your open arms with a big smile, and you feel that warmth inside you. That’s real success.

Your social media handles and website links?

• Website: https://smfinancelounge.co.uk/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sm_finance_lounge

Home