Waimarie Marks, CEO of Hatch
My first ever job was as a muffin toaster at McDonald's.
The first job on the career ladder was as a call analyst at IRD. I liked the variety of analysis completed and the group of people I worked alongside.
I have always been a problem solver and the first job enhanced this by teaching me adaptability while remaining practical.
I remain curious. My early career definitely taught me to keep focusing on solution finding. Even today, I won't back down from a challenge. I love to find was to solve problems and create new opportunities.
Coming back to New Zealand was a big deal and difficult. New Zealand is not a great place to come back an establish a career. I was often told I didn't have relevant NZ experience but recruiters and companies didn’t bother to understand what I had learnt overseas. We need to be better here!
I was 38 when I realised I wanted to be CEO. I didn’t necessarily think I would actually become one but at the same time, I was close enough that it didn’t seem too far off. But until my mid to late 30s, it had never really been on my radar.
It was definitely a case of right place, right time, which helped me land my first CEO job.
I had eleven different job titles before that - and probably many different hats within each role as I moved around. I worked across multiple industries too - government, high end retail, financial services, and an IT start up.
Being CEO is definitely not as glamourous as people may think. I did feel like I inherited more kids :) But I have slowly found a way to continue to step up into my role.
Top tips for first time CEOs: those people who you think should know...they really don't… And don't be a dick, because there are enough of those people around already!
Trust yourself and back your decisions. You will go far because you can adapt and pivot when you need to.
Find your people and your purpose. They don't have to be in the same place, but you need both to go far!!!
I truly believe Hatch (a retail investing platform) has a role to play in ensuring the financial security and well-being of New Zealanders for generations to come. And my purpose is that I want to be leading that journey.
