A journey of sacrifice and connection
Career01.11.2024
Like most business owners, I worked hard to get to where I am as a Senior Wealth Advisor at CIBC, and I pride myself on the successful practice I’ve built. It reflects decades of hard work, tough sacrifices, and personal victories. But I’ll be the first to admit it wasn’t a journey I took alone.
Over the years, I’ve learned many difficult lessons and received invaluable advice. In the end, though, I’ve found that a person’s success often boils down to a few key points: finding your people, creating space for yourself, and taking the jump.
Finding your people
Everyone has key people in their life they can turn to for guidance, support, and celebration. An important realization for me was how intentional you must be to build that core circle and what a profound impact it can have on your emotional well-being.
When I look back on my time in the finance business, it’s easy to pinpoint the people who influenced me most. I sought to emulate qualities like honesty, integrity, drive, and compassion, which I saw modeled in myriad ways. These connections became my lifeline during the toughest moments.
Through challenging times, my older brother was always a phone call away, offering not just advice but a safe space to express my fears and uncertainties. I remember the days when the weight of choosing work over family felt unbearable.
I went from seeing my nephews several times a week to just twice a month.
Each missed family gathering gnawed at my heart, a constant reminder of the sacrifices I was making. But my brother’s unwavering support made all the difference; he helped me navigate those difficult decisions with empathy and understanding.
My husband, too, understood that long-term results stem from deliberate action and short-term sacrifices. During those times, he didn’t just offer inspiring words; he showed up in practical ways that soothed my overwhelmed spirit.
He prepared meals when I came home late from work, knowing I lacked the energy to care for myself. His thoughtfulness allowed me to decompress before joining him, reminding me that love often manifests in small acts of kindness.
Yet, while my circle cheered me on, I often found it challenging to drown out the external noise of doubt. It’s a delicate balance: ambition without direction is like a seed without water — both are essential for something bigger to grow. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by voices that echoed encouragement, but tuning out the negative voices took conscious effort.
Creating space for yourself
In addition to cultivating a strong inner circle, I have discovered that you need to find your own sources of inspiration and outlets for stress. Jumping into the professional rat race with both feet takes initial bravery and lots of outside support, but continuing the pursuit requires grit and a deep trust in yourself. That doesn’t always come naturally to some women.
When I took over my mentor’s book of business, I felt like I was being pulled in every direction, yet I thrived in the chaos. For the first year, I worked 12- to 15-hour days. Long-term, I knew this wouldn’t be sustainable, but short-term, it was a necessary sacrifice to grow the business and stamp it as my own.
That relentless pace forced me to reevaluate how I took time for myself. In those early days, moments of downtime were rare. I had stepped into a demanding career, and I quickly learned to create pockets of peace. Incorporating yoga into my routine became a lifeline. Those sessions grounded me, allowing the stress to melt away, and by the end of the week, attending a Friday Yin Yoga class felt like a well-deserved reward.
In recent years, starting my day with a swim in a nearby lake has transformed my mornings. Those moments of clarity and solitude have become pivotal for my mental health. Sometimes it comes down to making the next right choice, moment by moment.
Taking the jump
The final lesson I have learned is about finding the sweet spot between being prepared and feeling ‘ready.’ My mentor always stressed this; most people will never feel truly ready for change. We can’t wait for the perfect moment to leap. You can build the ideal framework of people and habits to propel you towards your goals, but you won’t discover your true potential by hovering at the starting line. “There is no backdoor at the Alamo,” he would often remind me, referring to the long-ago battle that saw Texas become a self-governing republic.
As a woman in finance, I’ve experienced firsthand the unique challenges we face.
This isn’t just about numbers or investments; it’s about real stories, personal dreams, and the very real anxieties that keep us awake at night.
I’ve even been invited to a client’s wedding, attended garden parties, and celebrated a 50th wedding anniversary and a 70th birthday party. These experiences highlight the relationships I’ve built, which extend beyond mere transactions — they are about trust and mutual respect.
As I reflect on my journey, I am endlessly grateful to the people who taught me these lessons, and I find joy in sharing them with others. What stays with people are the deeply personal elements of our stories — the raw emotions that reveal our vulnerabilities.
This journey is not just about business; it’s about the connections we forge, the sacrifices we make, and the motivations that drive us. In sharing my story, I hope to open a dialogue about the often-taboo challenges we face as women in business, encouraging others to speak about their own journeys and the long-term impacts they carry.
