May 21, 2024
Peter Ho sat down with Erin Papworth, the founder of Nav.it, a financial wellness platform aimed at reducing financial stress for individuals and employees. Papworth, a seasoned entrepreneur with experience managing multi-million dollar programs, shared insights into the challenges and triumphs of building a startup. She discussed the transition from working in large organizations like Johns Hopkins, Doctors Without Borders, and the United Nations to starting a company focused on improving financial health.
One of the main themes that emerged from the conversation was the role of financial stress and how it impacts individuals and organizations. Papworth highlighted the importance of addressing foundational financial needs, such as managing cash flow, reducing debt, and building emergency funds. She emphasized the interconnectedness of financial and overall health outcomes, noting that financial stress can lead to reduced productivity and higher healthcare costs for employees. Through Nav.it, she aims to provide a holistic solution that helps employees reduce financial stress and improve their financial wellness.
Another key point that Papworth emphasized was the challenge of fundraising and the disparities faced by female founders in the venture capital space. She highlighted that only a small percentage of venture capital funds are directed towards female-led startups, and navigating the fundraising process with biases and structural barriers can be daunting. Papworth shared her experiences and offered insights into the strategies and approaches she has employed to navigate the male-dominated space.
Based in the Pacific Northwest, Nav.it operates with a remote team spanning across the country.
Chapters
00:00:46 - Erin Papworth: From Managing Million-Dollar Programs to Founder
00:03:14 - Managing Transition from Large Organizations to Financial Health Startups
00:07:22 - Financial health at work: Nav.it subscription model
00:09:20 - Tips for improving financial health
00:11:20 - Optimizing employee benefits for employers
00:13:59 - Maximizing 401k Participation: Use financial advantages efficiently
00:17:42 - The power of data in financial advice
00:20:36 - The market for financial wellness companies
00:23:44 - Challenges for female founders in the start-up world
00:26:27 - Challenges for female founders in the start-up world (Cont'd)
00:28:53 - The remote model for efficient work: A look at our distributed location
00:30:20 - Focusing on Employee Financial Wellness Benefits
00:32:48 - Books recommendation
00:36:04 - The challenges of integrating AI and wrap up
Books Mentioned in this Episode
Debt: The First 5,000 Years by David Graeber
https://www.amazon.com/Debt-First-5-000-Years/dp/1612191290
Dear Female Founder: 66 Letters of Advice from Women Entrepreneurs Who Have Made $1 Billion in Revenue by Lu Li
https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Female-Founder-Letters-Entrepreneurs/dp/0995608105
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