What happens when traditional definitions of family, success, and ambition no longer fit? In this deeply personal reflection, Brittni Sennett, MBA explores how life transitions, community, and intentional routines have shaped her work and worldview. From building healing connections through yoga to challenging the status quo in financial planning, she shares how women can reclaim their power, confidence, and voice in both life and money.
What does leading a life you love look like for you, and how do you balance ambition with personal fulfillment?
For me, a life I love means not letting fear limit me. Instead, I aim to be driven by love, joy, and things that bring me happiness or allow me to share love with others. I spent time abroad teaching yoga in Bogotá, and it was there I realized how much fear—of what others might think or of hearing “no”—was holding me back. Once I started advocating for myself and pursuing what brought me joy, people began saying yes. I thought, Wow, I can actually make these seemingly crazy things happen if I just ask for them.
In Bogotá, I spoke Spanish, but not fluently enough for deep conversations. Instead, my interactions were built on small gestures of love—opening doors for people, smiling, or doing kind things. These became my language. It was a beautiful exchange, not intimate love but a shared warmth. That experience taught me to bring more of that intentional kindness into my daily life.
There are always forces around us, and yes, there’s a lot to be afraid of right now. But if we focus on what we can control and let go of what we can’t, we can carve a path that brings us joy and allows us to share love with others. I don’t have a perfect formula, and I don’t practice this flawlessly every day. But I’ve found that when I lead with love and joy instead of fear, I usually receive those things in return, and my days are better.
What role has the community played in your journey toward empowerment and leadership?
My mom passed away when I was 25 from an aggressive cancer. After her death, the concept of family became challenging for me. My connection to my extended family was only through my mother. When she passed, the heart of our family was gone. I moved to Philadelphia, knowing my family wouldn’t be here. I was also divorced in my 20s. The traditional ideas of family and community were shattered for me, and I had to rebuild my sense of belonging.
I started practicing yoga when my mom was diagnosed with cancer. I needed a way to cope with the fear of losing her. I became a Bikram yoga enthusiast—it’s a challenging practice in intense heat, but it forced me to focus. My yoga community became incredibly important to me. When I moved back to Philadelphia after my divorce, I went to my first yoga class here. The teacher, who has since passed away, came over to me during the half-moon pose and said, I’m so glad you’re back. He hugged me, and I cried. In Bikram yoga, it just looks like you’re sweating, so it’s a great place to cry. That community was integral to my healing.
Community has been a recurring theme in my life. When I left my corporate job, I realized I lacked a local connection. My work involved marketing campaigns across the U.S., which made it easy to travel to Bogotá, but I didn’t feel tied to my city. After leaving that job, I journaled about what I wanted next, and one of my top priorities was finding work that helped me build community.
Now, as a financial advisor, I help my clients create their own communities. It’s fulfilling to see the impact of that work. Family isn’t the only community we have anymore—our friends are our family, and the communities we create matter deeply.
You’ve shared some habits that keep you connected to your purpose and passion. Are there any others that come to mind?
My ideal day starts with alone time—going to the gym, journaling, or reflecting on the day ahead. I don’t always get to do both, but even a little time to check in with myself makes a difference. I joke that I’m like a dog—if I don’t get enough walks, I go a little crazy. Movement is essential for me.
In my job, I’m in service to others all day, and as a mom, I’m in service to my family. If I don’t carve out time for myself, no one else will. My kid isn’t going to ask, “Have you taken care of yourself today?”
I’m currently using the Best Self Journal. I bought it in December with the intention of starting in January but didn’t begin until this week. One practice I love is listing my top three small wins for the day and tying them back to larger goals. I’m not great at celebrating wins, so this helps me reflect on what’s going well.
I’m also working on a better nighttime routine—reading a book and getting to bed on time so I can wake up energized. And I’m practicing saying no to clients when their needs encroach on my personal time.
What do you believe is the key to helping more women step into their power and lead with confidence?
I’m a financial advisor, but I call myself a feminist financial advisor to signal that I’m a safe space for women. The financial planning world has been dominated by men for so long, and much of the conversation reflects the male experience. By bringing a female perspective, I hope to fill that gap.
When I started my business, I wanted to build community, stay connected to wellness, and be my authentic self. Finance is just one pillar of wellness. What good is money if you don’t feel empowered to use it? If you don’t know what you want your life to look like, how can you use your money to shape it?
I bring in experts and content to help women find their voices and use them—whether at work, the doctor’s office, or home. So many forces try to silence us, and we’ve lost touch with our intuition, one of our greatest superpowers. My goal is to create a movement of empowered, confident women who feel capable of shaping their lives without guilt.
If you could rewrite the rules for women in leadership, what would you change or add?
Women need to stop second-guessing themselves. We were taught not to talk about money or politics because it’s “rude.” I don’t know if boys were told the same, but these rules have silenced us. How can we engage in these important aspects of life if we weren’t allowed to ask questions about them as children?
I wish there were more spaces for women to be messy, to brag, and to take up space. I have a son, and it’s been interesting to see how I interact with him differently. Now that I’m pregnant with a girl, I’m mindful of ensuring she receives the same support. Many of these rules are ingrained in us as children and carry into adulthood, whether they still apply or not. We need to stop second-guessing ourselves and battling imposter syndrome. So many people have no idea what they’re doing—our perfectionism holds us back. Rewriting the rules would mean embracing imperfection and trusting ourselves to figure things out along the way.
What legacy do you hope to leave as a leader?
Being in financial planning, I think a lot about legacy because it’s a generational business. I hope my children might step into this work someday, but more importantly, I want my clients to feel better off for having known me.
Financially, I want to leave something for my family—something my mom wasn’t able to do for us. Beyond that, I hope people feel loved, cared for, and seen by me, whether personally or professionally. At the end of the day, I want my legacy to be a feeling in people’s hearts, not just a name on a building.
Brittni Sennett, MBA is a feminist financial advisor and founder of FEMWELL SPEAKS, a webinar series dedicated to empowering women through conversations that connect independence with holistic wellness. Passionate about helping women achieve their full potential, she blends her expertise in financial planning with her mission to inspire confidence, authenticity and legacy building – reshaping women’s future for generations. Connect with Brittni.
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