I had my daughter at a young age, and that has shaped everything about my career.
Prior to becoming pregnant, I was working hard to build my financial advisory practice, pouring my energy into networking, growing my client base, and learning the business, which often meant working 12-hour days.
Then life changed.
I got pregnant and suddenly stability mattered more than ambition.
I made the difficult decision to step away from building my business and take a job that offered stability.
I worked hard - harder than I thought possible - because I wanted to provide for my daughter and build a future that mattered.
Along the way, I held roles that looked impressive on paper but didn’t feel right in my heart. When your values are compromised, whether in business or relationships, the cost is high.
I know this because I have lived it. Every time I ignored my values, I felt disconnected and unfulfilled.
There were times when my integrity was tested, and I had to ask myself: Does this align with who I am and what I stand for?
Eventually, I had to make some tough choices.
Walking away from those jobs was not easy. It meant leaving stability for uncertainty.
But I didn’t just walk away from professional roles. I left personal relationships that did not align with my values too.
And every time I chose alignment over convenience, I moved closer to where I was meant to be.
So, what is alignment?
It is a buzz word we hear everywhere- boardrooms, leadership seminars, social media. But often the word is thrown around without real intention behind it.
Alignment is not a trend; it is a principle.
Alignment is the intersection between who we are, what we do, and why we do it.
It is living in a way that feels true to your deepest values, where your personal life and professional life authentically connect.
And it is the foundation for authentic leadership, sustainable success, and personal fulfillment.
When your personal and professional worlds are aligned, everything changes. You lead with confidence. You live with purpose.
Today, as a Financial Advisor and Associate Vice President at Glades Wealth Partners, I am part of a team whose values - community, integrity, clarity, and teamwork - mirror my own.
As I began to reflect on my own journey and experience, I started noticing similarities between me and other businesswomen. And it made me wonder:
Why does alignment matter so much for businesswomen?
For women business owners, success is not just about revenue or growth. It is about building something that reflects who you are.
And women business owners often juggle multiple roles: leader, mentor, mother, partner, etc. The pressure to “do it all” can lead to decisions that prioritize short-term gains over long-term fulfillment.
But when your personal values align with your business decisions, you create more than a business; you create a life that feels authentic and fulfilling.
Alignment gives meaning to the work you do and ensures that your success feels good, not just looks good.
When your values guide your choices:
When you operate in alignment, you lead with clarity.
You attract the right clients, build the right team, and make decisions that feel right, not just profitable. And when challenges come (because they always do), alignment gives you resilience because your “why” anchors your strength.
Alignment is the key to building the life you truly want.
Your values are your foundation. Take time to identify what matters most- integrity, flexibility, impact, family, community. These are not just words; they are your guiding principles.
Action Step: Write down your top 3–5 values and keep them visible (mine are on a pink sticky note on my bathroom mirror!). Use them as a driving factor for every major decision including hiring, partnerships, pricing, and even marketing.
Your business should feel like an extension of who you are. If authenticity is a core value, your messaging should reflect transparency. If community matters, show it through collaborations, charitable initiatives, or client engagement strategies.
Action Step: Audit your website, social media, and client experience. Ask: Does this reflect what I stand for? If not, make changes that bring your brand closer to your values.
Skills matter, but shared values create synergy. When your team believes in your mission, they become ambassadors for your brand.
Action Step: Incorporate values-based questions into your hiring process. For example: What does integrity mean to you in a professional setting? This ensures cultural alignment from day one.
Money decisions are not just about numbers; they are about meaning. If sustainability is important, consider ESG investments or eco-conscious vendors. If family flexibility matters, structure your business finances to allow for work-life balance.
Action Step: Before making a financial move, whether it is investing, expanding, or pricing, ask: Does this align with my long-term vision and values? If the answer is no, rethink the strategy.
Alignment sometimes means saying no to clients, partnerships, or even entire business models. This takes courage, but it protects your integrity and energy.
Action Step: Create a “values checklist” for evaluating opportunities. If an offer conflicts with your non-negotiables, give yourself permission to decline, even if it looks lucrative on paper.
Alignment does not stop at your business; it extends to your personal life. Here is how to bring harmony across both:
Alignment is not about perfection; it is about intention. This is why the quarterly check-in is so important!
Sometimes that means leading with your values and making hard adjustments, with faith that living in alignment will ensure the right opportunities come to you. And they will.
If you are a businesswoman, know this: your values are not just personal, they are a strategic guide to building a business and life you love.
Abigail Linn, BFATM, CRPCTM
Financial Advisor | Associate Vice President
Glades Wealth Partners
10050 NW 1st Court
Plantation, FL 33324
Office: 954.236.9403
Abigail Linn, BFATM, CRPCTM is a Financial Advisor and Associate Vice President of Glades Wealth Partners, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC in Plantation, FL. She specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 16 years. To contact her, visit ameripriseadvisors.com/team/glades-wealth-partners/financial-advice-team/abigail.linn/
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