Jessica Mah talks About How to Run A Business
Do you remember what you were doing when you were 15? Well, Jessica Mah precocious since childhood, was starting her first entrepreneurial venture. She graduated from school at just 15 and joined Bard College at Simon’s Rock. She graduated from the University of California, Berkley with a degree in Computer Science.
Jessica MahWhile her peers were thinking about job opportunities, Mah was thinking about expanding her entrepreneurial ventures. Jessica Mah is a dynamic young lady who has featured in the Forbes 30 under 30 list and also on the cover of Inc Magazine as the founder of inDinero- which is vetted as one of the fastest-growing companies in America.
inDinero which was created by Mah and her co-founder Andy Su, while they were in their Berkley dorm, strives to provide complete accounting solutions to companies. inDinero received the 1.2 million USD in funding from the prestigious Silicon Valley incubator Y Combinator and today it is a multimillion-dollar B2B accounting software company that employs hundreds of employees.
Her inspiration for starting inDinero was based on her own struggles with managing accounts and tax during her previous business ventures. Mah wants to help entrepreneurs better run their businesses. But it wasn’t always an easy journey for Jessica, but her sheer determination and grit to succeed is what fuelled her towards her current stature. But is Jessica all work and no play?
Jessica Mah, the CEO and co-founder of inDinero has myriad talent. She is a certified pilot and flies a single-engine airplane as well as a DJ by night. An active member of the Young President’s Organisation, Jessica is also an IRS Enrolled Agent. Finding it difficult to imagine?!!
Jessica is a role model for millions of girls worldwide. She has proven time and again that success doesn’t see gender or age and the ability to grow depends on learning from one’s mistakes and failures. The Voice of Woman is extremely honoured to present you the story of the enigmatic and charismatic young female entrepreneur Jessica Mah.
Learn about the secret of running a successful business and how integral is it to hire the right employees for the growth of a company.
Read on.
Many people fail to launch their own ventures successfully due to rookie mistakes and misinformation. So, what advice or tips can Jessica share in this case, being the founder/CEO of a successful company at such a young age?
Don’t venture out on your own! Get some people to back you. Create a team of amazing people who bring their own knowledge and experience to the table. You’ll have a higher success rate if you have an amazing team, and you’ll enjoy the process a lot more too!
What are the prerequisites that one must possess to start a business venture?
Have an idea that you can sell. If you can get people to support your idea, then you’re going to be in a great place.
What are the common mistakes that most people do while building their ventures?
You take forever to build a product and don’t bring it to market, or you create something that people don’t care about. You need to have a product that people want. Also, too many people try to do it by themselves. You need to build an amazing team. The entrepreneur should be focused on that strategy of the venture and staying at a high level.
Compatibility between co-founders is trivial for the success of any business, how do you and Andy Su manage your working style to become so productive?
We tried marriage counseling! Managing a company together as friends was really challenging. Getting another person to help us view things differently and communicate better was immensely helpful.
What are some of the key qualities you look for when hiring potential employees?
Passion and innovation! Knowledge and experience are great, but passion and innovation will get you further. If you love what you do, are self-motivated to continue doing it, and creative enough to come up with new, better ways of doing things. That’s a really awesome combination.
When most youngsters are clueless about their life choices, you were starting your business, what has been your inspiration in life?
Freedom! When I figured out how to start my very first business and the freedom that it allowed me — I was hooked. I have never wanted to work for anyone else. Running your own company gives you the ability to make the big decisions and run the business the way you want to. Having a business that it is successful allows you the freedom to structure your life the way you want to.
If you could tell something to your 19-year-old self, what would it be?
“You’ve got this! Take the big risks! Just go for it!” Life is crazy and constantly changing, but I will always tell myself to take the risk. Life’s too short to be dull. I want the most out of it
Most people associate success with age, how difficult is it being a young, female entrepreneur?
It can be really frustrating! Some people are just stuck in the stone ages. Anyone can be successful. Age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc. — none of that matters as long as you are willing to give it your all!
As a woman CEO, how do you promote gender equality and inclusivity in your workplace?
In my businesses we hire the best fit for the job regardless of gender, race, religion, or any other factor. Outside of my businesses, I’m part of female entrepreneur groups where we focus on building each other up and helping one another succeed. It’s really important to me to help people when I can
Please share a message through the Voice of Woman
Make sure you build an incredible sisterhood of allies and cheerleaders. Not just for when times are great, but for when you’re going through big challenges and struggles. You’ll be really happy and thankful to have them by your side.
