Ever wondered what it’s like to be the financial backbone of a tech startup?
Join us as we sit down with Eniolaoluwa Oluwole, a key member of Sycamore’s Finance Team, to get a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges, rewards, and unique insights from her role.
What exactly do you do here at Sycamore?
At Sycamore, I work closely with the Finance Manager and am responsible for a range of tasks, including Financial Statement Preparation and Analysis to Budgeting and Forecasting, Compliance and Relationship Management. As well as any tasks assigned to me by the Management.
How do you keep up with financial trends to ensure you stay on top of your game?
To keep up with financial trends, I Google a lot and have Google alerts set up for certain industry keywords. I also surround myself with like-minded people who love to share information, follow the news (but not too much, as it can get depressing) and follow industry leaders on social media.
Additionally, I do research for the Morning Market Meeting by SIML and watch a lot of videos explaining events in the finance space.
I was hoping you’d mention the Morning Market Meeting by SIML, can you tell us a bit about that?
The Morning Market Meeting by SIML is a fantastic opportunity to learn from finance experts and engage in insightful discussions. I was thrilled and honored to be approached to share commentary on the Top Economic Stories happening around the world with a special focus on Nigeria.
By 9 am every Tuesday (for Sycamore staff only) and Thursday (for the public), we gather to discuss economic news, analyze markets, and share investment insights. We start with a fun trivia quiz to warm up, followed by a deep dive into the market. Gbenga Magbagbeola, the Managing Director of Sycamore Investment and Asset Management Ltd (SIML), shares his expert analysis and recommendations on everything from stock markets to fixed income.
Lastly, we discuss top economic stories from around the world and a couple of us Styizens run commentaries then the whole group discusses their implications for investors. If there are any questions about the economy, we also give easy-to-understand answers.
Working in Finance seems like a pretty heavy obligation. I have a little headache just thinking about it. How do you unwind and relax?
To unwind, I touch grass a lot. I prioritize spending time with loved ones as much as I can and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. Working in finance can be isolating (just you and your laptop against the world), so I make sure to disconnect and recharge. I also rewatch some of my favorite movies and shows, hold mini-concerts by myself and indulge in good food.
In essence, I try not to take life too seriously. It’s important to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life. I’ve learned the hard way that letting your job consume you can lead to burnout. Remember, we save spreadsheets, not lives.
I love it! What would you say is your favorite part about working at Sycamore? And why do you think it’s important to build the Sycamore product?
My favorite thing about working in Sycamore is my people. They are real keepers, ready to roll up their sleeves to help you get the help you need when you need it. It has been beautiful to see our relationships blossom over time, said the once antisocial Sytizen.
I also think that Sycamore’s product is her Sytizens, even more than the awesome product offerings to customers. Before potential customers even download the app, they interact with Sytizens. These interactions can be the deciding factor in whether they become customers.
Even after Sytizens leave Sycamore for one reason or another, they carry the Sycamore spirit and values with them. That’s just as valuable as any product or service we offer.
That’s an interesting take and was so beautiful to hear. If you weren’t working in Finance at Sycamore, what would your dream job be?
I’d either be a pathologist slaving away in some lab or a product/project manager in tech or mining. I find both ends of the spectrum very intriguing.
Consider my mind boggled! Now to the final question, do you think people who work in finance are actually great at managing their own finances? Or is it just a job for most?
This one is very deep. I think many people in finance are great window dressers. We spend a lot of time making everyone’s finances look great so that we forget our own. We have the knowledge and can “lamba” our way out of being financially responsible. Even lying to ourselves sometimes.
Those who are actually great at managing their own finances have learned from their personal experience or those close to them, the consequences of not being on top of your finances. We are the ones that intentionally apply the knowledge we have gathered.
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