Meet Carlington Bent

We were lucky to catch up with Carlington Bent recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Carlington, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience isn’t something I woke up with one day. It was born out of necessity, built from moments when I felt like life was pulling me under, and I had to fight to rise above.

I grew up watching my family face financial challenges — the kind that force hard choices and leave you wondering how to make ends meet. We didn’t have a financial safety net or wealth to fall back on, but what we did have was hope, determination, and an unwavering belief that things could get better if we worked hard enough. I saw my parents make sacrifices to give us better opportunities, and that planted a seed in me — a seed of persistence and grit.

I’ve faced my own share of setbacks. Early in my career, I made financial mistakes. I struggled with managing debt, navigating complex systems, and understanding how to make my money work for me instead of against me. At times, it felt overwhelming, but I refused to let it define my future. Instead, I turned those experiences into lessons. I immersed myself in financial education, earned certifications, and sought out mentors who helped me grow both personally and professionally.

What fuels my resilience today is the desire to help others avoid those same struggles. I want to be the guide I wish I had when I was starting out — someone who empowers individuals and families to take control of their financial futures.

One of the defining moments in my journey was when I helped a family who thought they were destined to live paycheck to paycheck. They felt trapped. I worked with them to build a personalized plan that aligned with their goals, educated them on financial strategies, and gave them the tools to create lasting change. Watching them go from barely surviving to thriving was a profound reminder of why I do what I do.

I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back from hardship. It’s about taking what you’ve been through and using it as fuel to push forward — stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever. It’s about knowing that every setback holds a lesson, and every challenge is an opportunity to grow.

My resilience comes from my story — from humble beginnings, hard lessons, and the unwavering belief that financial freedom is possible for anyone willing to do the work. That’s the heart of Financial Paths — empowering people to build their own resilience, take control of their financial journey, and create a future they’re proud of.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Empowering Financial Freedom: The Mission Behind What I Do
I’m a financial coach and representative who is deeply passionate about helping people transform their relationship with money. I run a financial coaching business with a simple, yet powerful mission: to empower individuals and families to take control of their finances, achieve financial freedom, and create a future they’re proud of.

For many people, financial literacy feels intimidating, confusing, or even overwhelming. I’ve been there myself — struggling to navigate financial systems, feeling stuck, and not knowing where to turn for guidance. That’s why I’m so passionate about making money simple and empowering people with the knowledge and tools they need to make confident financial decisions.

What excites me most about what I do is seeing the transformation in my clients’ lives. I work with individuals from all walks of life — young professionals just starting out, families trying to build wealth, and even retirees who want to make sure their legacy is protected. Every client comes with a unique story, and every success feels like a win for both of us. Whether it’s helping someone finally pay off debt, plan for retirement, or achieve a lifelong financial goal, those moments of realization — when someone sees that financial freedom is within reach — are truly the most rewarding part of my work.

One of the things that makes my approach special is that I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all financial advice. Everyone’s financial path is different, so I tailor my coaching to meet people where they are in life. It’s not just about crunching numbers; it’s about helping people understand the emotional and psychological side of money, too. I help people shift their mindsets from scarcity to abundance, from fear to confidence, and from confusion to clarity.

What’s New for Financial Paths?
Right now, I’m expanding my services to reach more people who need this guidance. I’m thrilled to be launching new virtual workshops that make financial coaching more accessible for busy professionals and families. These workshops will cover essential financial topics — from budgeting and investing to retirement planning and wealth-building strategies — in a way that’s easy to understand and actionable.

I’m also in the process of publishing a book through Amazon KDP that’s designed to help people create their own financial paths to freedom. It’s a practical guide full of real-life insights, step-by-step strategies, and empowering advice to help people take control of their financial futures holistically. I’m excited to share this resource and continue building my brand in ways that serve a growing community.

At the core of my brand is a deep belief that everyone deserves financial freedom. At Financial Paths, we firmly believe that financial freedom is a right for everyone. Regardless of your background or current financial situation, we believe change is within reach. Our mission is to guide, coach, and cheer you on as you embark on a holistic journey to a more secure and fulfilling financial future, recognizing that true financial well-being encompasses all aspects of your life—mind, body, and spirit.

I hope this aligns well with your brand’s vision! Let me know if you need any further adjustments. If there’s one message I want readers to take away, it’s this: Financial freedom is not out of reach. It starts with understanding, taking small steps, and staying consistent. It’s not about how much money you have — it’s about what you do with it. And I’m here to help people realize their potential and build the life they’ve always dreamed of.

Thank you for allowing me to share my story. If anyone would like to connect or learn more, I’d be happy to help them start their financial journey with confidence.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back on my journey, I’ve found that the three most impactful qualities that helped me succeed were resilience, curiosity, and empathy. These qualities not only shaped my career in financial services but also helped me grow as a person and connect more meaningfully with the people I serve.

1. Resilience: Embracing Setbacks as Growth Opportunities
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that resilience is built during the hardest moments of life. There were times when I felt like I was failing — personally and financially. Early in my career, I made financial mistakes, faced rejection, and felt stuck. But what I’ve come to realize is that every setback is a setup for a comeback.

Resilience means refusing to give up, learning from your mistakes, and finding new ways to move forward. It’s about shifting your mindset from, “Why is this happening to me?” to “What can I learn from this?”

Advice:
If you’re just starting out, embrace challenges as part of the process. Things won’t always go as planned, but that’s where the real growth happens. Surround yourself with people who inspire you, and remember that your journey is unique. The key is to keep going, even when it gets hard.

2. Curiosity: A Lifelong Commitment to Learning
I’ve always been curious about how things work — especially when it comes to money. In the beginning, I didn’t know how to manage finances or make smart investments. But instead of feeling defeated, I dove into learning. I asked questions, sought mentors, earned certifications, and continuously educated myself.

The world of finance is always evolving, and what I’ve found is that staying curious opens doors to opportunities you didn’t know existed. The more I learn, the more I’m able to help others make informed decisions about their financial futures.

Advice:
Never stop learning. Whether it’s reading books, taking online courses, or finding a mentor, every bit of knowledge you gain will give you more confidence. And don’t be afraid to ask questions — even if you feel like you should already know the answer. Curiosity is a superpower that will keep you growing.

3. Empathy: Building Genuine Connections with People
Financial services is about more than numbers — it’s about people. One of the most important skills I’ve developed is the ability to truly listen and understand what people need, want, and fear when it comes to their finances.

Empathy has helped me build trust with my clients and guide them through emotional financial decisions. Money is deeply tied to emotions — whether it’s the stress of debt, the hope of building wealth, or the fear of uncertainty. When you approach your work with empathy, you’re able to meet people where they are and help them in a way that feels personal and meaningful.

Advice:
If you’re starting your career, focus on listening more than you talk. Understand that everyone has a story, and their financial journey is part of it. Empathy will help you build lasting relationships, both personally and professionally. And at the end of the day, it’s the relationships that matter most.

If I had to sum it up in one message, it would be this: Resilience will keep you going, curiosity will keep you growing, and empathy will keep you grounded. Those three qualities have been my compass, guiding me through challenges and helping me build a meaningful career.

For anyone starting their journey, my advice is simple: Keep showing up. Whether you feel ready or not, whether you succeed or stumble, keep showing up. Over time, those small steps will add up to something incredible. And remember — every experience, whether good or bad, is part of your story. Embrace it all.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

I’ve learned that feeling overwhelmed is part of life — especially when you’re striving to grow, build something meaningful, or navigate uncertainty. It’s something I’ve faced many times, both personally and professionally. But I’ve also learned that it’s not about avoiding overwhelm; it’s about learning how to respond to it.

One of the most overwhelming times in my life was when I made a major career shift into financial coaching. I was juggling certifications, building my business, and trying to balance my personal responsibilities. There were moments when I questioned whether I could handle it all. But during those moments, I found clarity through a simple strategy: pausing to reset, reflect, and realign my priorities.

Here’s what works for me when I feel overwhelmed:

1. Pause and Breathe
The first thing I do when I feel the weight of overwhelm is pause and take a breath — literally. It sounds simple, but when you’re overwhelmed, your mind is racing, and your emotions can spiral out of control. Taking a moment to step away, breathe deeply, and ground yourself can help reset your perspective.

Advice:
When you feel overwhelmed, give yourself permission to pause. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, that break can help you shift from reacting emotionally to responding thoughtfully.

2. Break It Down into Small, Actionable Steps
Overwhelm often comes from looking at the big picture and feeling like there’s too much to do. I’ve found that the best way to combat this is to break things down into small, manageable steps.

When I first started my business, I felt paralyzed by all the things I thought I needed to do immediately — build a brand, find clients, manage finances, and so on. But I realized that progress doesn’t happen all at once. It happens one step at a time.

Advice:
When you feel stuck, ask yourself: What’s the next small step I can take? Focus on what you can do today — even if it’s something small — and trust that those small steps will add up over time.

3. Reconnect with Your “Why”
Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself of my purpose — why I started this journey in the first place. For me, that “why” is helping people achieve financial freedom and peace of mind. Remembering that I’m doing this work to make a difference helps me push through difficult moments.

Advice:
Take time to reconnect with your “why.” What’s driving you? What’s the bigger purpose behind your goals? When you have a strong “why,” it becomes easier to push through overwhelm because you know it’s worth it.

4. Give Yourself Grace
Finally, I’ve learned to be kind to myself. In the past, I used to push myself to the point of burnout, thinking that I had to do everything perfectly and all at once. But I’ve realized that progress, not perfection, is what matters.

Advice:
Give yourself grace. You don’t have to have it all figured out today. You don’t have to be perfect. It’s okay to take a break, ask for help, and prioritize your well-being.

Feeling overwhelmed is a natural part of growth, but it doesn’t have to stop you. By pausing, breaking things down, reconnecting with your purpose, and practicing self-compassion, you can turn those overwhelming moments into opportunities for growth.

Remember, even when it feels like too much, you’ve already come farther than you realize. You’re capable of more than you think — one step at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thefinancialpaths.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_financialpaths/
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