Advice for ambitious women in Fintech with funds, focus ventures and more

This October at Fintech Times is about the incredible women working in the fintech industry. With women still making up only around 30 percent of the workforce, it’s important to shine a spotlight on those working to make a change and pave the way for them to follow. Some influential women in fintech give their advice to aspiring women in the sector.

Eve Picking, Mariana Bulic, Melissa Frakmanand Chanelle Pattinsonshare their advice to aspiring women in the fintech industry.

Eve Picker, founder of Small Change

Be realistic about the pros and cons of building a business. I’ll start with a negative: You’ll probably have a tough time raising money. After all, only 2-3% of VC funding goes to women. You can let that statistic depress you, or you can keep going and refuse to give up. If you continue, you may well become a trailblazer for other women. And that brings me to another positive: It’s an amazing experience to build a business, especially one that is future-oriented and forward-looking. Fintech is the future and so are women.

Mariana Bulic, product owner at Zumo

I would advise them to be curious, ask questions and have a voice. It is important to learn as much as possible from the experienced people in the room, but they also need to instruct themselves; Knowledge is not magically given, especially in a field that is constantly changing – you have to work hard to catch up. In the end I would just say go for it and be a part of something great!

Melissa Frakman, CEO and founder of Emphasis Ventures

Roll up your sleeves and dig in. Map 5 fintech companies you admire or products you love using as a consumer and find ways to help their team, even start with a cold email if necessary. My career started with finding ways to support the launch of Asia’s first handheld mobile ATM as an intern, and years later, I still refer to some of those early learnings when leading investments in digital fintech apps today.

Chanelle Pattinson, Co-Founder and Chartered Financial Planner at Money Means

Be yourself. So incredibly simple, but I spent so long trying to “fit in” in the world of finance and fintech. As soon as I started being myself, my career accelerated faster than it ever has. Also, say yes to opportunities, you never know where they may lead.