Hey there!

This month, I’m diving into fintech for good and how the right solutions can drive real financial inclusion.

I had the chance to catch up with Jacqueline Birkel, Co-Founder & CEO of round.

A Simple Observation. A Big Impact.

The idea for round started at a nail salon in Chicago.

Co-founder and CEO Jacqueline Birkel, a fellow Chicagoan with a background in payments, noticed her nail tech accepting a tip through a peer-to-peer app. The balance sat idle, earning nothing and creating risk, while dramatically affecting financial stability. That moment revealed a bigger problem.

Beauty professionals lose approximately three weeks of income annually to payment processing costs (what they call "ghost services") and outdated financial tools.  Jacqueline knew she could use her fintech experience for good. That spark became round.

Round eliminates these fees through a surcharging model, allowing merchants to keep 100% of their service revenue while providing points redeemable for rewards that fuel their business. Setup takes minutes with no hardware or tech headaches. And this is just the beginning. Embedded banking and daily interest are on the way.

For too long, beauty pros and small business owners have been overlooked. Jacqueline, deeply passionate about using fintech to create better outcomes for everyday entrepreneurs, is leading round to change that.

Round’s core mission is that we're looking to democratize passive investing. Provide modern financial tools that honor their craft, protect their income, and finally give them the financial dignity they deserve.

I first met Jacqueline through 1871 and was immediately inspired. Warm and passionate about building fintech with purpose, her commitment to solving real problems and advancing financial inclusion came through loud and clear. Since then, every conversation is one of mutual support and genuine joy for helping others thrive.

Round is creating real impact for beauty pros and micro-merchants. And they’re just getting started. Check them out at round.dev.

Practical GTM Strategies: Want more time? Automate the Repetitive Stuff.

If you’re spending hours manually updating your CRM, chasing meeting links, or sorting leads from form fills… you’re not selling, you’re stuck.

The fastest way to reclaim your time is automation.

Here’s how to stop wasting hours on repetitive tasks and start using automation to work smarter:

1. Connect your tools
Use platforms like Zapier or Make to link your forms, email, and CRM. Eliminate manual data entry and keep everything in sync automatically.

2. Automate lead follow-ups
Set up workflows to route leads and trigger instant emails. No more letting hot leads go cold while you catch up on admin.

3. Streamline scheduling
Use calendar booking tools with built-in reminders. Say goodbye to the back-and-forth of scheduling calls.

4. Score and sort your leads
Build simple workflows that prioritize leads based on behavior or fit. Spend your time on conversations that actually matter.

5. Track the right data
Create a short weekly dashboard to monitor key metrics. No more digging for data, see what matters at a glance and take action fast.

Time is your most valuable asset. Spend it on the parts of sales that move the needle, not on busywork a bot could do in seconds.

Sales & Marketing Tips: Want Reach Reach? Talk to the Right Pain.

If you’re marketing to small businesses, generic value props won’t cut it. These founders aren’t buying “innovation.” They’re buying time, stability, and tools that actually fit their day-to-day.

Here’s how to connect with small business owners in a way that builds trust and drives action:

1. Lead with their reality
   Show you understand their work. Beauty pros, food vendors, freelancers. They want to know you’ve done your homework.

2. Ditch the fluff
   Skip buzzwords and over-engineered language. Speak in real terms: what it is, how it helps, what it costs.

3. Use examples that look like them
   Highlight other small businesses using your product. Social proof matters, especially in tight-knit communities.

4. Make it frictionless
   If your signup flow takes 15 steps, you’ve already lost them. Convenience is not a feature. It’s the expectation.

5. Respect the craft
   These are entrepreneurs with deep pride in their work. Don’t pitch like you’re saving them. Show that you’re building with them.

The takeaway? Your best marketing doesn’t just talk to the market. It speaks for them.

Partnerships & Collab Corner: Maven x HubSpot

Maven Advisory is now a certified HubSpot Solutions Provider.

 I’m excited to share that Maven Advisory is officially a HubSpot reseller. This opens the door to even more ways I can support early-stage fintechs and FI partners with tools that actually work for scaling sales and marketing.

 HubSpot brings the platform. I bring the strategy. Whether it’s CRM setup, RevOps automation, or building a real demand engine, I can now help clients go from chaos to clarity faster and more affordably.

 If you're building a GTM engine and want HubSpot to actually work the way you sell, this new partnership could be exactly what you need.

Where I’ll Be: June Events

June is packed, and I’m excited to connect with fintech and insurtech leaders who are building what’s next.

🗽 June 2–3 | New York City
I’ll be attending The Fintech Marketing North American Conference & Awards, where top marketers are being recognized for bold, data-driven work. Looking forward to celebrating the teams turning strategy into traction. (A dear friend is getting an award!)
Event Info →

🎤 June 11–12 | Charlotte, NC
I’ll be speaking at Fintech + Insurtech Generations (FIG), one of the premier innovation events for leaders in financial services, insurance, and tech.
Event Info →

Here’s where you’ll find me at FIG:

Panel | June 11 - 2:05–2:45 PM
Design to Win: Smarter CX & GTM for Growth
How fintech and insurtech leaders are using behavioral insights to build seamless customer experiences and GTM strategies that convert.

Workshop | June 11 - 3:00–3:40 PM
Go-to-Market, Go-to-Win
A practical session on building a GTM strategy that aligns with your customer, your product, and your growth goals. Ideal for startup and scale-up teams looking to move with focus and clarity.

If you're heading to either event, let’s connect.

 What’s Next?

• Tell Me What You Think: I’d love your feedback and comments. Hit “reply” and share your thoughts.

• Next Issue: Spotlighting a neobank that’s focusing on financial inclusion.

• In Every Issue: Practical GTM Strategies, Sales & Marketing Tips, and Partnership/Collaboration updates 

That’s it for this issue of Maven Mindset. If you’ve been searching for a strategic partner who’s not afraid to cut the fluff, look no further.

If this resonates with you, let’s chat! And if it was helpful, remember to share! ✌🏼🩷

Until next time,

Angi 

P.S. Hope is not a strategy.