Original image photo credit: Blue Sky's Studio
Abigail Gibbons Saini has positioned herself as a dynamic figure in both wealth management and entrepreneurship, recognized for her diverse roles as a Wealth Management Client Associate, SE-AWMA™, CRPC™, speaker, and mentor.
Abigail’s professional journey reflects a tapestry of experiences, notably shaped by her collegiate career as a Division I swimmer, instilling in her the discipline pivotal for entrepreneurial success. Embracing non-traditional paths, she fearlessly ventured through various business landscapes in pursuit of her true vocation. Despite external skepticism, her resilience guided her through uncharted territories, enabling significant career shifts.
We asked Abigail about the most meaningful impact her work has had thus far, the people who have contributed most to her success, and what’s on the horizon for her career.
What are some of the most meaningful impacts your work has had so far?
The most meaningful impact my work has had is on an individual basis, when a peer approaches me and thanks me for the positive impact I’ve had on their career or entrepreneurship journey. I’ve been able to see how the power of community can drive change and advance women in the workplace by providing them with a platform to share their stories and be thoughtfully connected to a new business partner, mentor, investor, and even a new friend/colleague who allows them to feel empowered and supported.
In what ways has your upbringing or past experiences contributed to how you operate as an entrepreneur?
I have been an athlete my whole life. I was a Division I swimmer throughout my college career. The tools I learned growing up as a competitive athlete absolutely shaped my professional career. I am so grateful for my coaches, my teammates, and the community I found through competitive sports. It provided me with the mindset and skill set to become a successful entrepreneur, as well as how to persist when it becomes difficult. The leadership development has been instrumental in my career as well. I've been fortunate to mentor other younger professionals in both entrepreneurship and finding your purpose in your career thanks to my experience being a leader on a team.
I’ve grown as a leader thanks to my diverse career with many different experiences. It has allowed me to bring a fresh perspective to my current company.
Have you ever felt like you’re “different”? If yes, in what ways has this contributed to your journey as an entrepreneur?
Throughout my entire professional career, I never followed the “traditional” path. I think to those outside my personal network, I appeared to be a flight risk or too much of a risk taker to be successful. I was always pivoting or trying something new, from new business ideas to new jobs, in order to explore what I wanted to do with my career.
Have you struggled with self doubt as an entrepreneur? How do you navigate this?
When I started my first business in my early 20s, I remember being told countless times that I was making a bad decision leaving my steady corporate job. At the time, I didn’t know many other entrepreneurs who had left the corporate world to start their own business, so the self-doubt absolutely creeped in. However, I continued because I had a gut feeling that it was the right path. A few years later, of course, my network shifted and I was surrounded by full-time entrepreneurs. I told them how I was going to pivot and get back into corporate America in the wealth management industry. I was again met with pushback.
I distinctly remember being asked, “Are you sure you want to transition into finance? Can you even do math?” Or, “You’re too much of an entrepreneur to be successful in the traditional financial services industry.” I think about these comments frequently since I started in my current role and have used them as motivation!
What people have contributed the most to your successes?
Mentorship has absolutely contributed to my success. I’ve been fortunate to have cultivated a very strong network of peer mentors and experienced mentors in various industries. The support and sponsorship of mentors has allowed me to be successful in my entrepreneurship journey. It’s impossible to be successful alone, so I always emphasize the importance of building your own team!
How have you grown as a leader since starting your company? What experiences have contributed to this growth?
I’ve grown as a leader thanks to my diverse career with many different experiences. It has allowed me to bring a fresh perspective to my current company. I believe I relate more to the next generation of professionals both at my firm and among my personal network of entrepreneurs.
What’s next for you and your company?
I’ve spent years becoming an expert in my field, from my marketing expertise, ability to build and motivate community, and now within the wealth management industry. I’m excited to take my knowledge, skill, passion, and privilege to advance women and gender equality in a very traditional industry to drive social change and build generational wealth for the upcoming generations. I am very excited for the next chapter of my entrepreneurial journey and working toward aligning my mission to advance women entrepreneurs and investors through both my network and as an entrepreneur serving clients at my firm.
