How long have you been with Goji? What is your role at the company?
I have been at Goji for seven Months. I am the Head of Operations.
What initially interested you about Goji? What do you enjoy about working here?
I loved that Goji was a start up in its scale up phase and I loved the idea of being part of that kind of journey again. Goji is my fourth start-up and has proved that no start-up is the same. There are nuances to organisations that vary in size and stage and Goji’s current state upon observation and research appeared to be a sweet spot for me; something I was familiar with, a product I could completely get behind, and a team that I knew I could add value to.
Give us the inside scoop – what are some unique aspects of working here?
Everyone is brought into the business and personally wants it to succeed. This means that everyone is working super hard and rowing in the same direction with one common goal. I think this is really refreshing to see as at times it can be difficult to hire people that have this kind of “strive for excellence” work ethic and values.
Where did you work prior to joining Goji? How has this shaped your role here?
Before Goji, I worked for a bank that specialised in commercial mortgages, business accounts, and deposits. We also went through an intense process of acquiring a loan book. Joining the bank quite early on in its build phase really helped me understand the importance of strategy, contingency planning, and People Management. Again, my colleagues and I all wanted to be market leaders and were on the journey together and I think this culture of teamwork and being passionate about disrupting the industry taught me a lot in the management space. I hope that I can continue to build on the things that went well, whilst also learning from and avoiding some of the more challenging factors.
What has your experience been like with working on your team?
I really enjoy working with my team. I think everyone has their quirks and differing interests, and everyone brings something different to the table. I really admire that there isn’t a “type” of person in any of the three sub roles within Operations (Enterprise, Core, and Payments). Goji has done a great job of diversifying ability, seniority, and capability. Everyone brings something to the table and where someone lacks, someone else makes up for. I believe that this is the definition of teamwork – no egos, supporting the wider goal, and getting the job done.
What was your dream job as a child? Tell us a bit about your journey to where you are today.
As a child, my dream job was to be a published author. I knew this from quite an early age because my grandmother bought me a writing set with return address stickers and a fountain pen and I loved writing to her, receiving a letter back, and journaling.
I began my career managing a retail store and later developed a strong interest in banking and finance as I enjoyed the payroll and forecasting element. After purchasing my first investment property, I fell in love with the mortgage process. As a result, I started a blog to help first-time buyers and shift my career into retail banking. My passion for mortgages grew, and I specialised in various types of lending, including unsecured, secured, bridging, residential, buy-to-let, and commercial mortgages. I've worked as both an advisor and an underwriter, been self-employed, managed teams, and overseen pricing, legal panel management, and risk.
Above all, my passion is helping people—customers and colleagues alike. I strive to create a work environment where everyone feels they can bring their whole selves without fear of judgement. We spend so much time with our colleagues, and it's essential that the work environment supports well-being.
What would you do if you had unlimited free time?
If I had unlimited free time and no kids, I’d read, write a self-help book, and get massages on loop!
If I had both unlimited free time and money, I’d travel to each continent with my kids, give them a bit of interactive learning, and introduce them to the world of differing cultures in the flesh!
Any fun projects on the horizon? What are you and your team up to next?
Yes! We are onboarding new clients, supporting existing clients, and gearing up for a mindset workshop in the coming weeks. The fixed vs. growth mindset has always intrigued me. I believe that your mindset is a key factor in determining your performance and success in any field or challenge.