Welcome back to the “Life at SAPI” series! We’re excited to continue sharing the experiences of our amazing team members, who bring their unique perspectives and skills to help drive our company’s success.

In this edition, we’re thrilled to feature Belen Martinez, a Product Strategist at SAPI. Get ready to gain a deeper understanding of Belen’s workday at SAPI and learn more about her life at SAPI.

What’s your name and what’s your job title?

My name is Belen and I’m a Product Strategist at SAPI.

Where in the world do you work?

In SAPI’s HQ offices in London, UK.

How long have you worked at SAPI?

It has been almost 3 months now.

Daily Routine

What is a typical day for you in your role? Can you walk us through your daily routine?

As part of SAPI, my responsibilities span diverse areas, primarily focusing on collaborating with our product and engineering teams while exploring market trends and strengthening our product and partnership landscape. No two days are the same, but I thrive on maintaining a prioritised to-do list that ensures clear objectives and effective progress. To start my day, I immerse myself in fintech news from the UK, Europe, and around the globe, allowing me to stay informed and attuned to the evolving landscape. I then dive into emails and Slack messages, reviewing priorities and adjusting them as new tasks arise. Whether working remotely or in our office (which I enjoy going to two to three days a week), personal connections and face-to-face interactions with my team members foster collaboration, project alignment, and a sense of unity.

What do you do outside of work to recharge or decompress? 

I love staying active- physically and mentally. Each day begins with exercise, whether it’s a morning run, cycling, or a yoga session. This energises me and ensures I’m ready to tackle challenges head-on. Additionally, I enjoy pursuing external interests that expand my skill set. Currently, I’m engrossed in a full-stack coding boot camp on weekday evenings and full-day sessions on Saturdays.

About SAPI

What makes you proud to work at SAPI?

What sets SAPI apart is our commitment to efficiency, constant project reviews, and meeting deadlines, all powered by innovative digital tools that optimise our processes. The true magic, however, lies in our incredible team. We are a group of smart individuals hailing from various backgrounds and cultures, generating a harmonious blend of ideas, respect, and understanding. Collaboration and our proactive approach aid us in finding creative solutions and thinking outside the box. Moreover, the relevance of our product in the market, coupled with its flexibility to adapt to different partners, makes a vital service that remains resilient even in challenging economic times.

How do you collaborate with other teams and departments within SAPI?

At SAPI, we have a great collaborative culture! We believe in being approachable and encouraging open communication among teams and departments. When working on a project, it’s always a good practice to involve multiple people for review. This way, we can gather different perspectives, ensure we consider all possible angles, and make sure everything is clear and nothing is missed. Collaboration is ingrained in our startup nature, and everyone is expected to contribute their unique insights and support each other in various projects.

What do you look forward to most in SAPI’s future?

Our vision includes forging numerous partnerships and facilitating live loans with merchants in multiple markets. This expansion journey will allow us to delve into the intricacies of regulations, compliance, and loan operations, enabling us to refine processes and elevate customer experiences. We eagerly anticipate the insights gained from these endeavours and the positive impact we’ll make in the industry.

Career Advice

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in pursuing a career in your field?

For those intrigued by the fintech field, this is what I recommend:
1.    Stay informed: Immerse yourself in relevant content, be it daily fintech newsletters, thought-provoking opinion articles, or listening to podcasts on expert conversations on market trends.
2.    Nurture your network: Networking opportunities to build connections that can offer diverse perspectives, creative problem-solving, and potential future collaborations.
3.    Embrace continuous learning: Invest in your professional growth through online courses or other avenues. Staying ahead of the curve will help your career grow!

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If you’re interested in joining our talented team and being a part of our company’s mission to make a difference, we invite you to explore our open positions. At SAPI, we value diversity, collaboration, and creativity, and we’re always looking for passionate and driven individuals to help us drive our company forward. Thank you for following our “Life at SAPI” series, and stay tuned for our next instalment featuring another one of our amazing team members.