The Fintech Playbook

In today’s episode, we speak with Cristina Crespo, a woman whose childhood in Puerto Rico inspired a lifelong love of technology and helping others. Although she originally wanted to be a doctor, Cristina later found herself as the VP of Product at Paytient - a Healthcare Fintech company that helps people better access and afford care. We’ll hear first-hand how Cristina and her team prioritize customer needs, work cross-functionally, and build products that help users at some of the most critical moments of their lives. 

SummaryNick Lapworth shares his journey in the fintech industry, from starting his own company to joining Financial Finesse and launching the Virtual Financial Coach project. He emphasizes the importance of building a product with a marketing mentality and creating a self-serve experience for users. Nick also discusses the need for diversity in the fintech industry and the role of curiosity in his success.TakeawaysBuilding a product with a marketing mentality can lead to a self-serve experience that drives user engagement and business growth.Looking outside of the competitive set and exploring other industries can provide new perspectives and innovative solutions.Diversity in thought and experience is crucial for the success of fintech companies.Curiosity and a desire to understand how things work can propel a career in the fintech industry.

SummaryIn today’s episode, we’re going to delve into an inspiring journey with Mitch Pangallo, a guy who found his niche in sales and finance somewhat unexpectedly. Growing up in Northern Kentucky, Mitch’s childhood was shaped by family influence, notably his dad, who instilled in him a love for Excel. His early exposure to excel in such a unique way played a crucial role in his career trajectory, as an accounting major and entrepreneur and later as the Director of Sales at Forecaster - an FP&A solution for startups. At Forecastr, Mitch has scaled the inbound funnel from $100k to $2.5M in ARR in less than 3 years. His story offers invaluable insights for anyone looking to make their mark in the FinTech space.TakeawaysFinancial modeling and data-driven decision-making are crucial in sales and growth strategies.Founders should set up systems before hiring sales and marketing professionals.Doing things that don't scale and optimizing later can lead to success.Financial sustainability and profitability should be prioritized in startups.

Monarch MoneyIn today's episode, we're diving into one of the biggest stories of the past year in consumer fintech. Join us as we unravel the strategic masterstroke executed by Joyce Lin and the forward-thinking team at Monarch Money. Picture this: you wake up one morning to the news that your biggest competitor, and the original leader in personal finance, has decided to close its doors for good - not due to lack of traction or cash, but because leadership wanted to focus elsewhere. That’s not exactly what happened to Joyce, Chief of Staff at Monarch Money, but it’s close. In November 2023, Intuit announced that it was shutting down Mint. The #1 most downloaded personal finance app, which Intuit acquired back in 2009 and reportedly had 3.6 million monthly active users in 2021, would no longer be available in March 2024.This was a huge boon for the team at Monarch. If you're unfamiliar, Monarch is a personal finance application and budgeting app, very similar to Mint. They bring together everything you need to manage your finances effectively, allowing you to track all of your account balances, transactions, and investments in one place. The company is incredibly mission-driven and has always made a point of meeting its customers where they are. And, from the early days when Val Agostino, Jon Sutherland, and Ozzie Osman first launched Monarch in January 2021, that’s been a fairly unusual channel – Reddit. When rumors of a shutdown started to swirl in Mint subreddits in the Fall of 2023, Joyce and the team had time to devise their strategy and quickly launch into action by the time the low-key announcement was posted on Intuit’s blog in November.This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thefintechplaybook.substack.comTakeawaysBe honest with yourself, understand your strengths and weaknesses, and have a growth mindset.Engage with customers and solicit feedback to build a customer-centric product.Be present where your customers are, whether it's on social media platforms or in specific communities.Support and uplift underrepresented groups in the industry and encourage diversity and inclusion.Partner with others, seek support and knowledge sharing, and build strong relationships in your career.

About Austin:👋 Greetings! I'm Austin Carroll, your guide through the ever-evolving world of financial technology. With a rich history in product marketing, I've sharpened my skills at top companies like Brex, Capital One, and Mercury. Not just a marketer, I'm also an accomplished author and now, excited to embark on my 3rd podcast journey.The Podcast's Mission:Why dive into this podcast? It's all about uncovering the untold tales of fintech. Join me as I engage with industry trailblazers, digging into their unique success stories. This podcast isn't just about the big names; it's a platform for the myriad voices and visions shaping fintech innovation.Exploring the Fintech World:From navigating regulatory mazes to seizing cutting-edge trends and transforming customer interactions, this podcast is your front-row seat to the ingenious methods that are driving growth and transformation in fintech.A Deep Dive into Strategy:Our journey together will take you behind the scenes of top-notch product launches, marketing marvels, and sales tactics within fintech. This isn't just storytelling; it's a masterclass aimed at equipping you, our listeners, with the knowledge and inspiration to excel in your fintech endeavors.Your Role in Our Community:As this podcast takes its first steps, your support is invaluable. Share the journey with your colleagues, spark discussions in your digital communities, and if we've earned it, leave us a glowing 5-star review. Your engagement is not just appreciated – it's essential. 😊This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thefintechplaybook.substack.com