As a child, I vividly remember standing in the lobby of my Credit Union while my mom handled her transactions, thinking, "One day, I'm going to work here." Fifteen years later, that dream became a reality. My opportunity came after a spirited debate with my sister about the ideal length of a PIN, which caught the attention of the branch manager, who offered me a job. That’s how I started working at Public Service Credit Union, later rebranded as Canvas Credit Union—an experience that profoundly shaped my understanding of money and personal finance.

Working there, I had the privilege of learning from remarkable leaders who challenged me and fueled my growth in unimaginable ways. The most rewarding aspect of my job was teaching others and helping them manage their finances. One memorable moment was when a woman told me, “Halley, after our conversation about budgeting, I slept through the night for the first time in years.” Knowing that I made a genuine difference in someone’s life was incredibly fulfilling.

After 18 months as a teller, I transitioned into the role of Learning Champion, where I onboarded and trained new tellers and loan officers. It was an amazing job that allowed me to collaborate with a diverse range of professionals—from executives and the VP of finance to the Fraud team and Credit Card portfolio manager. Each person imparted invaluable knowledge, and with every new insight, I kept thinking, "Why aren’t we sharing this information with more people?"

I began teaching a budgeting method to the new hires, and it quickly became the highlight of every course. On every feedback form, when asked, "What was your favorite part of the class?" the answer was always the same: BUDGETING.

Whenever I shared my dream of creating a budgeting class, the response was always, "I think I need to take that class." Not once did someone say, "I don't need that." The truth is, money problems are the leading cause of divorce and stress in the United States.

I dream of a world where people aren’t burdened by financial stress.

In October 2020, production for The Sticky Note Budget began.

Today, I’m an author, small business owner, course and content creator, and Certified Financial Education Instructor℠.