Meet Seçkin Çağlın, the man of a mission with his dream team

Meet Seçkin Çağlın, 

the man of a mission with  

his dream team

He’s the co-founder of Cenoa, a simple and global super wallet to buy digital dollars and earn high yield. It enables you to protect your savings and build wealth from macroeconomic instability and inflation. In this piece, Seçkin and his co-worker Miray talk about  his journey, entrepreneurial mindset and Cenoa’s culture. 

Who is Seçkin Çağlın, what is his story behind Cenoa?

From his years in high school, Seçkin harbored aspirations of forging his entrepreneurial path.  This vision steered him towards pursuing a degree in Computer Science from one of Turkey's  most illustrious colleges. Upon graduation, he joined McKinsey, an environment ripe for  cultivating a nuanced understanding of strategic and methodical thinking. This invaluable stint at  McKinsey paved the way for his acceptance into the esteemed MBA at Stanford GSB, where he  refined his leadership acumen and further polished his expertise in people management. 

Post-GSB, Seçkin ascended the ranks at McKinsey, taking on the role of Engagement Manager. Subsequently, he assumed the mantle of CMO/CDO at Garanti Payment Systems, one of Turkey's  biggest financial institutions. There, he spearheaded the cards business, catering to an expansive  clientele exceeding 25 million, and concurrently managed the marketing and digital portfolios for  the conglomerate. His tenure at Garanti catalyzed his introspection into financial inclusivity,  fostering innovative solutions for the unbanked and underbanked populations devoid of capital  access. His personal journey, having grown up in similar environments marked by the perpetual  quest for financial security, deepened his connection with these challenges. 

The defining impetus for his entrepreneurial foray arose from recognizing the inherent constraints  of conventional financial institutions in addressing the age-old dilemmas of financial inclusion.  He advocated for a novel alternative one that would empower individuals with capital access and  shield their assets from external volatilities, be it inflation or political instability.

“Even taxi drivers started to queue up in front of currency exchange bureaus at the  end of the day to buy USD with their daily earnings in TRY… Families have become unable to  pay the tuitions of their kids as their salary do not increase in line with the inflation”

From a young age, driven by the desire to lead change using emerging technologies like  blockchain and stablecoins, he forsook his esteemed position at Turkey's leading financial  institution. He embarked on his entrepreneurial journey, aiming to safeguard and enhance the financial well-being of many. 

What is the most enjoyable part of being a founder for him?

Seçkin truly appears to have discovered his niche and passion. The very first thing that came out  of his mouth was a testament to his dedication and focus: “working for the problem space that  you picked and devoting myself to create solutions”. This statement alone speaks volumes about  his commitment and drive. 

To be candid, his enthusiasm and determination to address and resolve issues for millions of  people spanning continents, from the bustling cities of Turkey to the vast landscapes of Nigeria  and the vibrant streets of Argentina, is nothing short of inspiring. When you listen to him, there's  this underlying theme of inspiration that you can sense between his words. It's evident that Seçkin  is not just merely involved in this venture; he's truly dedicated to it. He deeply cares about the  domain he's in. Moreover, the sector he's chosen is not only intriguing but also burgeoning with  potential and opportunities. 

How have he picked his co-founder and formed his team?

Seçkin and Emre, both GSB alumni from Turkey, united over shared values and a common  leadership philosophy. Their aligned goals and complementary skills solidified their co-founder  partnership. In team expansion, mission alignment was paramount. They sought individuals who  not only fit professionally but were personally passionate about their vision, asking: "Are you as  excited about this problem as we are?”

Their team culture champions autonomy, envisioning a small group creating significant impact,  akin to a “Champions League” of professionals. Their recruitment approach balanced strategy  with heart, anchoring on shared mission, values, and vision. 

Miray, already acquainted professionally with Seçkin, was drawn to the team's collective  strengths and the meaningful problem they aimed to solve. Though aware of the nascent  technology and regulatory challenges, she believed in the team's resilience. For her, it was the  team's determination amidst adversity that truly stood out. 

What sort of skills stand out when we consider 

his leadership style?  

Seçkin's leadership uniquely combines strategic insight with deep empathy. With a background  in consulting, he excels in structured problem-solving. Miray highlights Seçkin's ability to ask the  most pertinent questions, underscoring his critical thinking. He challenges ideas to align them  with company goals, not just for the sake of debate. 

Beyond his analytical skills, Seçkin is keenly attuned to the emotional aspects of leadership.  Possessing a high EQ, he doesn't dictate but persuades, valuing the perspectives of others. He's  hands-on when needed, trusting his team and ensuring flexibility. His experience at Garanti has  further sharpened his managerial skills, emphasizing effective resource allocation. 

When we asked, Seçkin also mirrored Miray's observations. He champions servant leadership,  always prioritizing his team's well-being and growth. He values strategic alignment but grants his  team execution autonomy. In all, his leadership is a blend of strategy and empathy.

What is the most prevalent challenge that he faces and

 how does he solve it?

The most prevalent challenge Seçkin consistently grapples with is striking the right balance  between focus and prioritization. While his team embodies a hustle-driven ethos, they often find  themselves casting a wide net, conducting numerous trials, and unfortunately making mistakes  along the way. Seçkin candidly admits that out of the many targets they set, only half tend to be  realized by the end of the quarter. A significant factor in this dynamic stems from the team's past  experiences at mature tech companies where resources were more abundant. Now, with a more  limited tech workforce, the need for judicious target-setting and focused execution becomes  paramount. Seçkin acknowledges their tendency to overshoot, often setting overly ambitious  goals. Even though every month they remind themselves to be realistic, old habits die hard,  leading to occasional stress and confusion within the team. However, the silver lining lies in their  self-awareness. They recognize this challenge and are proactively working to refine their approach, striving for a balance between ambition and achievable goals. 

How does he communicate, instill his vision and build the company culture?

Seçkin emphasized the foundational role of culture and values. From the very inception of the  company, Seçkin, along with his co-founder, prioritized aligning on these core values, ensuring  they were in sync. This alignment was extended to their technical co-founders and was a pivotal  criterion in their hiring process. For him, rituals play a crucial role in reinforcing the company's  ethos. Regular meet-ups every two months serve as a touchpoint for the team, and each team  meeting commences with a reiteration of the company's vision and mission statement. This  commitment to the core beliefs is evident in all touchpoints, right from hiring processes to their  internal communication platform, where the vision prominently resides at the top. 

Miray's perspective adds another dimension to understanding Seçkin's approach to company  culture. She believes that everything within the organization, especially communication, reflects the culture. Seçkin's method of communication, characterized by preparedness and the provision  of clear guidance, speaks volumes. His openness to change and adaptability, especially when  presented with convincing arguments, sets a tone of mutual respect and collaboration. The  emphasis on building "dream teams" and attracting top talent underscores the importance of  their cultural foundation. In sum, Seçkin's leadership, combined with the team's collective efforts,  has crafted a culture that's both aspirational and grounded. 

What is the biggest tip that he would give his past self?

If Seçkin were to offer advice to his younger self, especially during his formative GSB years, it  would be steeped in the essence of embracing risks and listening to one's heart. He reflects, "In  those days, I often found myself bound by over-analysis, trying to make the 'perfect' decision.” 

He'd urge his younger self to step out of that comfort zone: "Follow your heart, chase what excites  you, and always think long-term. Don't be held back by the notion of 'wasted years' or by self imposed timelines. Being brave is not about making rash decisions; it's about embracing the  potential of the unknown. Don't be in a rush to meet life's milestones. Contrary to some beliefs,  life doesn't culminate at 35, and there's no mandate to amass wealth or retire by then." 

“There comes a time in every life when the past recedes and the future opens. It’s that  moment when you turn to face the unknown. Some will turn back to what they already know.  Some will walk straight ahead into uncertainty. I can’t tell you which one is right. But I can tell  you which one is more fun.”

Drawing inspiration from a quote by Philip Knight that resonated with him during his GSB days,  he'd underscore, "Opt for the unknown door. It's the paths less treaded that often lead to both  happiness and success. What we perceive as 'risk' today can shift tomorrow. It's all relative. So,  challenge your conceptions, and remember that with greater risk often comes greater reward."