Slava Ivashkin, Velmie: Success isn’t just happy clients; it’s also a happy team

Please tell us about your career journey so far and what led you to founding Velmie.

My journey began over 15 years ago. Initially, I set out to create a local e-commerce venture—a sort of localised Amazon. At that time, we developed an e-commerce platform, and it was during this phase that I first met the core members of our current management team. Once the platform was up and running, the work required to maintain it gradually decreased, which led us to a crossroads. We had to decide whether to disband the team or find a new direction that would allow us to keep working together.

So, we started looking for other opportunities, and that was essentially the beginning of our software development house. In the early years, we worked on a variety of projects, but over time, we found ourselves increasingly focused on financial projects. We officially pivoted towards our current business model about five or six years into this journey.

Today, our company is a unique blend of product and service offerings, primarily focusing on serving clients in the financial industry. Reflecting on the past 15 years, it feels like we’ve just started. There’s still so much to accomplish, and I look forward to continuing this journey with the same drive and enthusiasm.

Being a CEO and entrepreneur, how do you find inspiration and motivation to take ideas and bring them to life?

Several sources fuel my motivation, similar to those of many business professionals. For instance, keeping up with industry news—especially developments around digital currencies, cryptocurrencies, and tokens—has a significant impact on my drive. When I see how these innovations have the potential to positively transform people’s lives, it keeps me inspired and engaged.

Another key source of motivation comes from reading business literature. This includes not only success stories, which are relatively rare but also stories of failure. Learning about the struggles and setbacks that others have faced provides valuable lessons and helps me see challenges as opportunities for growth.

Additionally, upcoming partnerships serve as powerful motivators. For example, our partnership with Unlimit offers an exciting opportunity to merge our products and services with theirs. I’m confident this collaboration will bring great value to our future clients, as they’ll benefit from a broader range of solutions. These moments of potential and collaboration remind me why I’m passionate about my work, and they continually renew my inspiration.

What is a day in the life of a financial services CEO?

My daily routine follows a structured pattern divided into two main blocks: people-focused work and paperwork. I typically start my day early, around 5:00 a.m., and head to bed by 10:00 p.m. Once the day begins, I organise tasks into these two blocks and rotate between them, punctuated by breaks for meals, exercise, and spending time with my family.

The people-focused block involves communicating remotely with team members, prospects, clients, and partners. During these sessions, I stay connected with various stakeholders, ensuring everyone is aligned and any concerns are addressed.

The paperwork block, on the other hand, includes reviewing operations, going over strategy, and occasionally evaluating specific units as we close out each month. This structured alternation between people-focused work and administrative tasks forms the backbone of my day. While every day has its unique demands, especially when travel or unexpected tasks come up, this basic structure provides a reliable framework that keeps me organised and productive.

What are your top 3 tips for professionals looking to delve into the world of tech?

I’d offer a few key pieces of advice for those looking to succeed in the tech industry. First, consider whether you’re genuinely excited by the tech world. A few years ago, there was a huge surge in demand, and many were eager to get involved. That hype has since died down, and now only the most capable and professional companies are continuing to thrive. If tech excites you despite the current climate, then it might be the right path for you.

Secondly, think long-term. While there are some quick success stories, they’re rare. Most tech companies experience a mix of small failures and successes over time. If you’re prepared to play the long game and face the ups and downs that come with it, tech could be a good fit.

Lastly, be ready to learn continuously. The tech world is constantly evolving, so staying informed and adaptable is crucial. If you’re comfortable with lifelong learning, you’ll be better equipped to keep up with the rapid changes in this field.

Of course, there’s more to consider, but if you’re passionate, committed to long-term growth, and open to continuous learning, you’re already well on your way to finding success in tech. Following what excites you is important because passion fuels motivation and helps you stay ahead in a fast-paced industry.

In such a fast-paced industry, how do you stay current and adapt to changes?

On a personal level, staying informed about changes in the world seems pretty straightforward—just keeping up with the news usually does the trick. However, on a professional level, staying ahead can be significantly more challenging. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but from our team’s experience, it takes time to adjust, especially as a smaller organisation.

Implementing change, whether it’s refining operational strategies or adapting to industry shifts, often requires careful planning. But when we’re ready to put these adjustments into action, it can sometimes feel like the world has already moved on. For us, it’s a continual learning process. We’re working hard to improve our response times so that we can implement necessary changes more smoothly and promptly. It’s a challenge we’re committed to tackling, and in time, I’ll have more insights to share about our progress.

Have you ever experienced moments of self-doubt or imposter syndrome? How do you overcome these?

Self-doubt and similar challenges are experiences that everyone goes through, both in personal and professional settings. I remember these feelings being much more intense when I was younger. It seems natural, especially when you’re starting out, to encounter moments of uncertainty as you seek experience and navigate new challenges.

When faced with self-doubt, leaning on past experiences is helpful. Reflecting on times when I faced similar challenges—and remembering that I got through them—helps reassure me that things will work out. I also recognise that time is a critical factor; even when a situation feels overwhelming, I know from experience that it often just takes some time to process and come out on the other side.

I think it ultimately comes down to a mix of experience, patience, and self-awareness. As you grow and get to know yourself better, these challenges don’t necessarily go away, but they do become easier to handle. Self-doubt and tough times happen more often than we’d like, but each experience adds to your resilience and helps you move forward.

How do you define success?

I believe that the definition of success evolves over time. What I view as success at one point may differ from how I see it at another. Right now, my definition of success is based on two main factors: happy clients and a happy team.

If a company has a portfolio of satisfied clients who share their positive experiences across various channels, it signals success to me. Equally important is having a team that is enthusiastic and passionate about our work, constantly contributing ideas on how we can improve. When clients and team members are truly happy and engaged, those rare moments where everyone feels satisfied represent success to me.

Of course, I know this definition may change as my perspectives and priorities shift over time. But for now, this is how I view success, and it feels meaningful to build a brand with such a strong focus on both client satisfaction and team well-being.