Financial Confidence as Power: How One Decision Changed My Life
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Taylor Smith
Founder of The Power Table
I stared at my screen, my finger hovering over the “checkout” button. My heart was racing, and I could feel the weight of the decision pressing down on me. Spending $1,000 on a ticket to attend a business event felt like a leap into the unknown—a leap I wasn’t sure I was ready to take. As a fourth-generation female founder, I was just starting out, trying to navigate the challenges of building a business and figuring out how to stand out in a competitive market. I wasn’t sure if I could afford it, but deep down, I knew this decision could change everything. With one last deep breath, I clicked the button, and my journey to financial confidence began.
Walking into that room, I was nervous. I didn’t know anyone, and I wasn’t sure if I belonged. But what I found was a group of incredible women who were farther ahead in their journeys as founders and leaders. They were unapologetically ambitious, unafraid to talk about money, and genuinely wanted to see me succeed.
For the first time, I saw what was possible. These women weren’t just running businesses—they were building legacies, wealth, and leading with confidence. They weren’t afraid to talk about their revenue, investments, or failures. They shared their strategies, lessons, and belief that success was not only possible but inevitable with the right mindset and support.
That experience was a turning point for me. It gave me the confidence to dream bigger, take bolder risks, and invest in myself. It also planted the seed for what would eventually become The Power Table, a global women’s entrepreneurship community and conference that I founded to create the same kind of transformative space for other women.
How Money Literacy Shapes Leadership
That first event taught me a powerful lesson: financial literacy is foundational to leadership. As women, we often shy away from conversations about money. We’re taught to be humble, avoid talking about our financial goals, and downplay our success. But the truth is, money is a tool—and understanding how to use it effectively is one of the most empowering things we can do as leaders.
When we have money confidence, we make better decisions for our businesses, families, and futures. We’re able to invest in growth, take calculated risks, and create opportunities not just for ourselves but for others.
What Women Should Understand Earlier About Wealth
If I could go back and give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be this: invest in yourself and your network.
For many women, the idea of spending money on personal or professional development feels indulgent. We’re often taught to save, be cautious, and avoid risks. But the truth is, investing in yourself is one of the smartest financial decisions you can make.
When I spent that $1,000 on my first event ticket, I wasn’t just buying access to a conference—I was buying access to a room full of women who could help me grow, challenge my thinking, and expand my network. That investment paid off in ways I couldn’t have imagined and for years to come. It led to collaborations, speaking opportunities, and ultimately, the creation of The Power Table—a community that has generated millions in combined revenue for its members.
Women need to understand that wealth isn’t just about saving money—it’s about creating opportunities, building relationships, and leveraging resources to achieve your goals. The earlier we embrace this mindset, the more confident and empowered we become as leaders.
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