Westly Joseph: On her aligned career pivot
Westly Joseph, Financial Representative
Westly and I met back in February.
She was leading out in her climate-tech company, taking initiative, working passionately, and squeezing every ounce of meaning from the fact that the company was addressing climate problems, something she cared deeply about.
But, she believed there was more.
She had so much passion, drive, and energy that she wanted to dedicate it all to something that mattered to her.
She felt unsettled.
She believed work could be more fulfilling.
She wanted it to be about more than making money for a company, or for herself.
Westly started looking around, reflected on her values, sought guidance from coaches and mentors, and ended up designing a career path that aligned beautifully with her vision and purpose, but in a VERY unexpected way.
6 months later, Westly launched her career as a Financial Planner.
I am struck by how Westly believed she could do more to make this world closer to the kind of a place she wanted to live . . . and then SHE DID IT.
How did she choose this surprising new direction?
Westly talked to me about how she began recognizing she wanted to work directly with people so she could see the tangible impact of her work on their lives. At the same time she was watching with disappointment as sustainability initiatives faced shrinking budgets and competing priorities:
“It reinforced a realization I'd been slowly coming to: Whether we like it or not, money is one of the most powerful tools for creating change in the world.”
Westly saw how she had been limiting herself by believing her purpose was tied specifically to sustainability. Or at least, environmental sustainability. As she started exploring financial planning, she understood her purpose in a surprising new way:
“Helping people use money intentionally, in alignment with their values, could be just as impactful as the work I had been doing before.”
She and I share a belief that the world is full of good people with similar values, and she realized that if people are simply given the tools and education, they could use their resources to help shape the world according to their values.
Westly is designing her career to give people these tools, and be their guide—
So we don’t all have to work in finance to be able to protect, invest and use our money effectively!
I want to invite you to reach out to Westly when you’re ready to be strategic about your finances. Her goal-based, relationship-focused planning process will help you to better direct your resources to support the type of world YOU want to live in.
And stay tuned to Kate’s Takes for more learnings from Westly’s courageous and inspiring journey.
Written by a human, kindly forgive mistakes—and reach out, I appreciate getting feedback!