You Have the Power to Be Wealthy: My Interview with Michelle Glass

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from interviewing women about their careers, it’s this: the dream job doesn’t always show up on a job board. Sometimes it shows up when you say yes to a phone call. Or when your mom’s financial advisor invites you to lunch. Or when a layoff feels like a breakdown but ends up being the breakthrough.

That’s exactly how it played out for Michelle Glass.

Michelle is now a trusted financial advisor who has spent nearly two decades helping women prepare for retirement and build wealth. But her story didn’t start in finance or with a carefully laid career plan. In fact, her story is full of pivots, serendipitous moments, and the kind of emotional intelligence that can only come from learning, reflecting, and showing up fully.

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The Power of Saying Yes

Michelle majored in business and marketing because, like so many of us, she wasn’t exactly sure what she wanted to do. But she loved learning, connecting with people, and staying open to possibilities. So when a friend suggested she call her father, a local physician, to talk about jobs, Michelle picked up the phone.

That phone call led to an interview with Pfizer and a job in pharmaceutical sales, a position she stayed in for over a decade.

“It was exciting, it was challenging, and at the time, it was considered a dream job,” she told me. “But after several years, my heart wasn’t in it anymore.”

Still, like many people early in their careers, she stayed. The paycheck was steady. The job was safe. And even though she felt disconnected from the mission, she didn’t yet know what was next.

Until Pfizer laid her off and gave her a severance package that became a launchpad.

Losing the Job She Didn't Love Was the Break She Needed

That severance gave Michelle something many job seekers don’t have: breathing room. Instead of taking the first offer that came her way, she waited for something that felt right.

And that “something” came through an unexpected source: her mom’s financial advisor.

After meeting for lunch and learning more about the world of financial planning, Michelle said yes to a new career, one that aligned with her strengths and values in a way her old job never had.

Now, nearly 20 years later, she’s still in that field and thriving.

What Emotional Intelligence Looks Like in Real Life

When I asked Michelle what helped her land those pivotal opportunities she credited two things: early ambition and, later in life, emotional intelligence.

She admitted that she didn’t have much of it during her first job. “I was ambitious and hungry, but I didn’t really understand emotional intelligence,” she said. “I didn’t know how to regulate my emotions or connect with people beyond the surface level.”

That awareness came with time. And now, it’s one of her superpowers.

Emotional intelligence, for Michelle, means knowing who you are, being able to manage your emotions, and building real relationships. “It’s not just knowing what you feel, it’s knowing how to respond in a way that helps you grow and connect.”

Her favorite EQ-building tools? Meditation and journaling. Especially a practice she calls her “thank you letter to the year.” Every year, she writes a note to the hard things that happened and reflects on what those challenges taught her.

“It helps me reframe the narrative,” she said. “Instead of holding onto negativity, I learn from it and let it go.”

Let’s Talk About Money

Michelle may work with women preparing for retirement now, but her advice for those just starting out is clear: start where you are. Start now.

“The sooner you start saving and paying yourself first, the more freedom you’ll have later,” she said. “You don’t just have the power to be comfortable—you have the power to be wealthy.”

She broke it down with four essentials every post-grad woman should know:

Understand Your Paycheck

Know exactly what’s coming in and what’s going out. If your expenses exceed your income, you’re setting yourself up for debt. Start by tracking your cash flow.

Contribute to Your Retirement Plan

If your employer offers a 401(k), especially one with a match, take advantage of it. “That’s free money,” she reminded me. Don’t let fear or confusion keep you from starting.

Build an Emergency Fund

Unexpected expenses will happen. Whether it’s car repairs, renter’s insurance, or a surprise medical bill, having a cushion means you won’t need to rely on high-interest credit cards.

Protect Your Assets

It may not feel urgent now, but life insurance, disability insurance, and basic legal documents like a healthcare power of attorney are critical for protecting your future.

Michelle knows this sounds like a lot. And it is. But she also knows that once you start educating yourself, it gets easier. She recommended tools like Investopedia and encouraged young women to ask questions, seek support, and read or listen to anything that builds their confidence.

Her Advice to Her Younger Self? Relax and Stay Open

Looking back, Michelle said the one thing she’d tell her younger self is to “relax.”

“You don’t need to have every step figured out,” she said. “Life has a way of working out, especially if you stay open to new experiences and trust your instincts.”

I loved this reminder.

You don’t have to map your entire life at 22. But you do have to start showing up for yourself. Learn the skills. Build the habits. Ask the questions. Pay yourself first. Trust your path.

And never forget: your dream job might not look like a dream at first. But it will feel like home when it’s right.

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