Q & A with Samir Goel:

1. City of residence: NYC

2. Place of birth: Schenectady, New York

3. In under five sentences, define your business: Esusu is mobile platform that empowers our users to save more, build credit, and manage cash flow through a digitized rotational savings product. Rotational Savings (ROSCA) is system that has been practiced for generations across Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America to help communities build wealth together. It works simply: people form groups, they pool their money together, and they take turns withdrawing this group pot to make big ticket purchases ranging from education to launching a business to unexpected medical expectancies. Esusu’s digital adaption makes this system more secure and accessible while helping people build credit and financial identity in the American financial system. Our vision to generate equitable financial access for everyone.

4. What social or environmental impact is your business making? Esusu is building a pathway to financial access and opportunity for typically marginalized communities. We predominately work with immigrant, minority, and student communities to help them go from establishing a financial identity to building strong financial position.

5. What is the best part about your job and the work you’re doing with Esusu? Why? Both Abbey (my co-founder) and I are driven by impact. That’s what gets us out of bed in the morning and the most rewarding part of this work. Beyond that I love having a different challenge to solve everyday and the fact that every day looks a little different. I feel like I’m at my best when I’m just thrown into the fire and conversely feel at my worst when I’m complacent. The challenge, ups and downs, and lifestyle flexibility are some of the best parts.

6. What book(s) are you currently reading? I’m juggling a few books including Originals by Adam Grant, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, and The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis. I recently read ‘Power of Habit’ and re-read ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’

7. Quote you (try to) live by? My usual go-to fav. quote is: “The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.” – Sarah Ban Breathnach

Another one I like is: ” Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

8. Using one word, how would you describe yourself? Connector

9. What is one random fact that most people don’t know about you? I’m a huge baker. I love cooking in general but especially making desserts. I hope to make a cookbook sometime.