Back to all news
To start simple – how would you introduce yourself?
Hi, I’m Karin, and at Finby I’m responsible for everything related to our clients – whether it’s account management, sales, or marketing. I genuinely enjoy seeing our partners satisfied.
How did your journey at Finby begin?
It started almost 10 years ago in a customer support role. Of course, starting at a new company is always challenging, especially while you’re figuring out what your role involves. But I’ve never been bored—there’s always been something new to learn, and that’s still true today.
What has been the biggest change for you personally since stepping into the CCO role?
I wouldn’t say anything changed dramatically overnight, but the growing level of responsibility is definitely something I became more aware of over time – especially from the moment I was no longer responsible just for myself, but also for the results and performance of others.
If you had to explain what you do to a friend outside of fintech, what would you say?
I usually tell my friends that we’re the reason why online payments feel so smooth – and why their money disappears from their accounts a bit faster 😊
The company went through a major rebrand to Finby – what changed from your perspective?
Definitely the colors and design. But even with a modern look and a new name, we’re still the same reliable team our clients can count on. From my perspective, it’s always important during changes to preserve stability in terms of values and direction.
“Temporary discomfort is a small price to pay for long-term growth. Anyone who wants to grow in their career needs to be interested in topics beyond their current job description.”
Looking at where Finby is today, what are you most focused on in the near future?
It’s important to me that our portfolio of satisfied clients continues to grow, while also supporting the world of modern e-commerce payments. I’m glad when we can provide solutions that help businesses grow in a healthy way and expand internationally – this is definitely an area where I see a lot of future potential.
Which part of your work is the least visible from the outside?
Many of the discussions we have internally across departments aren’t something you can directly report on or measure as a result. They’re not visible externally either, but they often influence the direction we take as a business. So, what may seem invisible at first glance is extremely important.
Which part of your job do you enjoy more than you originally expected?
I’m naturally someone who avoids potentially conflict-heavy situations. But constructive discussions where different perspectives are presented can be valuable. So even though it surprised me, I now enjoy voicing my opinion even when it doesn’t align with the majority, it often leads to growth, whether in business or personal perspective.
What kind of people do you work best with?
I like working with direct people who aren’t afraid to say when something doesn’t feel right, but who can also acknowledge positive things. In a work environment, it’s worst when you must guess what someone really means. I’ll always choose honesty over vagueness and fancy metaphors.
Who do you turn to when you need a second opinion?
When it comes to work topics, it depends on the area – I naturally reach out to the person who’s an expert in that field. I also really appreciate that my manager David, our CEO, always makes time to discuss any topic. It helps me clarify priorities and gain a different perspective, even on things I thought I already had figured out. Because nothing is ever as black and white as it may seem.
What do people think is simple about payments but actually isn’t?
The average consumer often just sees that they clicked once, and everything went through successfully. But the massive ecosystem behind technical integrations would probably surprise a lot of people. I’m sure of that, because even after almost 10 years in the industry, I still sometimes feel like Alice in Wonderland during certain technical discussions.
What do you enjoy or find most motivating about your work?
If I had to describe my ideal day, it’s one spent entirely with our clients. That’s when I learn the most and really understand what matters to them. It helps me identify what’s important on our side and where we should move forward as quickly as possible. Every business is different, so the discussions are always varied. My favorite moment is when we can provide a solution to something that’s been troubling a client – and in doing so, support both their growth and ours.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to grow into a similar role?
Be curious and always ask questions when you don’t understand something – even if you feel like it might sound silly. Temporary discomfort is a small price to pay for long-term growth. Anyone who wants to grow in their career needs to be interested in topics beyond their current job description. Because if we stay strictly within our defined box, we’ll never go beyond it.
