We’re excited to present the fourth feature in our new series – “FintekNews Celebrates #WomenInFintech“!
This week, we’d like to introduce you to
Holly Glowaty, co-founder of K+H Connection a women run consulting firm focused on Merchant Payment technology with special expertise in stored value products and services. The firm also produces Flourish: The Growth of Branded Currency Conference, and numerous events in conjunction with several Chicago-based partners, including Women in Fintech initiatives with FinTEx.
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Holly GlowatyTITLE:
Co-FounderCOMPANY:
K+H ConnectionWEB ADDRESS:
www.khconnection.com1) What does your financial technology firm offer?
We are an outsourced business development arm for payment technology companies that require integration with merchants/ retailers. We do this is 2 ways: 1. We make introductions to our network one by one in the traditional way. 2. We produce large scale conferences, monthly events and content to organically position our clients as subject matter experts.
2) What was the personal motivation for you to launch your firm?
We saw a lot of redundancies happening in the field due to people working in silos, and as natural connectors, we knew we could help advance our side of FinTech if we could just get people talking and sharing their knowledge more broadly.
3) As a female entrepreneur, do you feel any advantages/disdvantages in being female as you are seeking capital to grow & build your businesses?
We have not gone for a round of funding yet. We are trying to bootstrap it as long as we can. We have been in business since October 2015, and bootstrapping it has given us the opportunity to pivot and find our way. We are at a point now where we can roadmap where we see ourselves growing; which is exciting. There were some blind turns in all of this, so to see a clear path forward is a new experience for us!
4) Do you feel you are at a competitive advantage – or disadvantage – as a female fintech entrepreneur – or neither?
Given the political landscape in the US, I have felt this incredible ground swell of empowerment. So many women have felt the absolute need to come forward and put their stake in the ground, which is amazing. We have had the incredible opportunity to spearhead the development of a Women in Fintech group with FinTEx in Chicago and the response to this group has been overwhelming!
5) Do you feel there are more women starting financial technology companies than in other business sectors? If so, why or why not?
I don’t think so… but I can see that changing. This is still a widely undefined area of technology, so I think many women have not identified themselves as FinTech. But you see a lot of companies focusing on financial inclusion lead by women and women reach out to me all the time saying, “ I never thought of myself as FinTech, but I guess I am!”
6) Do you think the trend will continue where we will see more women in leadership roles in fintechs (Yes/No) and why?
YES! This is what excites me so much about working with women in this field! Women control more than half of all U.S. wealth. I think the first time I saw that stat was some time in 2015. We are standing on precipice of a major shift and women will want to guide what happens with all this money.
Holly Glowaty is Co-Founder of payment technology consulting firm K+H Connection and Flourish: The Growth of Branded Currency Conference. She has spent over a decade creating successful partnerships, events and content in the Chicago and Omaha areas.