Sarah Smith has a talent for building community. At the outset of her career, Smith took an active role in creating a network of potential clients, colleagues, and mentors by extending personal invitations to meet over coffee or lunch.

As Smith, a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley, came into her own, she wanted to create for other women the space and support that she had worked so hard to carve out for herself. In time, #BoldFemaleEnergy evolved into more than just a phrase or a mantra, but soon resonated beyond her original vision into empowerment and connection.

Over the last two years, Smith has brought #BoldFemaleEnergy to life through a series of curated in-person events, where women from diverse industries come together to share ideas, connect authentically, and support one another.

Smith, who holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from UAH in accounting, has always had a knack for numbers. What she has learned along her journey is that she also has a strong desire to help people in a more holistic way. The connections that come from #BoldFemaleEnergy light a spark not only in the attendees, but in Smith as well. Smith is built for people-centered work.

Smith recently held an evening event at Piper & Leaf at Constitution Park. The night was frigid outside, but the shop was abuzz with the hum of ladies engaged in good conversation.

At the close of the evening, Smith invited each attendee to share a goal they were working on in the new year. The ambitions and hopes touched on everything from small business ownership to parenting, from language learning to overcoming obstacles. Women who had been strangers two hours earlier were finding commonalities and providing a sounding board for one another.

“A successful Bold Female Energy event is one where women walk away feeling energized, inspired, and more connected than when they arrived,” said Smith. “It’s about creating a space where real conversations can happen, where we lift each other up, and where relationships—both personal and professional—can thrive. When women come together to share experiences, ideas, and laughter over coffee (or wine!), we create a powerful space where women become confident in all the rooms that they walk into.”

The aspirations and challenges that were shared that evening reflect a microcosm of the broader truths about women’s financial lives. Women frequently outlive their male counterparts and are more likely to take time away from paid work to care for children or for aging parents.¹ However, Smith often finds her female clients to be particularly adept at sticking to long term plans—an essential component of any investment strategy.

“Women are patient, thoughtful investors who focus on long-term growth rather than short-term noise, in my opinion,” observed Smith. “They take the time to research, ask the right questions, and make decisions that align with their goals.”

Smith is committed to creating financial plans for her clients—both men and women—that provide a clear picture of the path ahead. In service of this commitment, Smith attained her Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) certification last year.

The CPWA® designation is designed for advisors who serve high net worth clients. The CPWA® program covers advanced wealth strategies, estate planning, wealth transfer, behavioral finance, family dynamics, tax management, and legacy planning. Smith studied for the CPWA® exam through the Yale School of Management.

“I’m always looking for ways to stay informed and bring appropriate advice to my clients,” said Smith. “Earning the CPWA® was about sharpening my skills and striving to stay up to date on everything that impacts their financial lives. Wealth management is always evolving, and I want to make sure I’m delivering comprehensive strategies and insights to help my clients make confident decisions.”

In addition to helping others seek to attain financial freedom, Smith is motivated by the fact that her success has no ceiling.

“Every day when I wake up, my success is in my hands. I can’t control every outcome, but I can control my effort, my activity, and my mindset. My results so far of building my business is a direct reflection of my work ethic—built through consistency, discipline, and a commitment to the process. Long-term success isn’t about quick wins; it’s about showing up and doing the work every day,” said Smith.

Smith’s tenacious approach is paying dividends. In January of this year, Smith and her business partner Jeff English, Financial Advisor—known together as The Spring Group at Morgan Stanley—were named by Forbes as one of the Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams in Alabama for 2025.

Smith is generous in sharing credit, naming local corporate leadership as one of the keys to her success.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of incredible local leaders—both in the community and within Morgan Stanley. The leadership at my firm is deeply committed to investing in financial advisors, our businesses, and cutting-edge technology, giving us the resources to help us succeed,” Smith said.

In addition to the relationships she’s built at Morgan Stanley, Smith credits her connections in the community with shaping her journey through their mentorship and guidance.

“That’s why I’m so passionate about paying it forward—whether by supporting other women or mentoring young professionals—because I know how much it means to have someone believe in you and invest in your personal growth.”

When asked if there is just one piece of financial advice that she wishes everyone would follow, Smith’s answer is short and sweet: “Pay yourself first.”

It’s a straightforward response but one that gets at the very heart of what #BoldFemaleEnergy is all about—being intentional about your choices and investing in yourself.

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¹ Department of Labor Women’s Bureau: Issue Brief : Women and Wealth January 2025

2025 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (2025) Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams ranking awarded in 2025. Each ranking was based on an evaluation process conducted by SHOOK Research LLC (the research company) in partnership with Forbes (the publisher). This evaluation process concluded in March of the previous year the award was issued, having commenced in March of the year before that. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors paid a fee to SHOOK Research LLC, for placement on its rankings. This ranking is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each Financial Advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research LLC and may not be representative of any one client’s experience; investors must carefully choose the right Financial Advisor or team for their own situation and perform their own due diligence. These rankings are not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is not affiliated with SHOOK Research LLC or Forbes. For more information, see www.SHOOKresearch.com.

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