I would say the members of our advisory board. They have all had successful careers in finance and technology and share our vision for the future of democratizing investing in private markets. They inspire me to do what I’m doing.

I’ve long been interested in the topic of capital formation and its role in helping startup companies to get off the ground, create jobs and help the economy expand. My background was in medical research, which is very structured, but when it came time to raise capital, I discovered it was just the opposite – chaotic, emotional and inefficient. In terms of providing capital to startup companies – the lifeblood of innovation – the mechanics that make capital markets work were absent. So I asked, how can we make this work better?. Provisions of the JOBS (Jumpstart our Business Startups) Act that went into effect in 2016 eliminated some of the regulatory constraints and inspired us to develop this online tool to address the problem, so we founded Netcapital.

At Netcapital, we are motivated to solve problems. It would be better for the economy if capital markets, and in particular private markets, operated in a way that is more accessible to the average investor, and not just the ultra-wealthy. What motivates us is helping entrepreneurs and investors to access this asset class.

My biggest challenge has been in building the right team. As a leader you have to trust the people around you to do the job you hired them for and then move forward at the speed of trust. You can’t micromanage when you’re starting a business. It’s a constant challenge, but we wouldn’t be where we are without the team we have. Our progress is a testament to our team.

I have been surprised by how many people care about the space we are in. What we do touches so many aspects of financial services: banks, broker dealers, RIA's, investment platforms, etc.., and each with a different vantage point on the private capital markets. I learn every day from others as we continue to grow Netcapital and as others learn about us, I learn from them.

I would have loved to meet Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher. I find his philosophy on life, problem solving, and personal resolve to be particularly inspiring and helpful. I would have loved to learn more from him on his life and his own challenges.

That’s when we hold our whole staff update meeting. It’s a great chance for everybody to get an update on the business and what each of us has accomplished, and to generate excitement about what we’re doing.