Jeff Sekinger Of Orca Capital On 5 Things You Need To Be A Highly Effective C-Level Leader Of A Fintech Company
An Interview With Kieran Powell
Employee Inclusion: Ensuring every team member understands their role in our mission.
The fintech industry is rapidly evolving, blending technology and finance in innovative ways. This evolution demands leaders who are not only tech-savvy but also adept at navigating the unique challenges of the financial sector. Effective leadership in this dynamic environment is crucial for success. What does it take to excel as a C-Level leader in a fintech company? What are the skills, mindsets, and strategies required to lead a fintech organization to new heights? As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Jeff Sekinger.
Jeff Sekinger is a notable financial expert and entrepreneur at the helm of three influential companies in the finance industry: 0 Percent, Orca Capital, and Nurp LLC. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Jeff began his business in Southern California, where he lived in an oddly shaped purple house dubbed “the Nurp” which would later serve as inspiration for the name of his algorithmic trading firm. The “Nurp,” a word that represents quantum growth through innovative and contrarian strategies, is where Jeff experienced a quantum shift in his personal, professional, and financial life. Jeff envisions this energy being carried forward in the company, now headquartered in Miami, FL. As the founder and CEO of 0 Percent, he specializes in offering financial education and consulting services, helping entrepreneurs to leverage low-interest debt for business expansion. Orca Capital, under Sekinger’s leadership, is a digital asset hedge fund managing substantial assets worldwide, reflecting his acumen in digital finance. Nurp LLC introduces a new era in Forex trading with its advanced algorithmic trading strategies and tools, designed to simplify trading processes and offer unparalleled market insights. Through these three companies, Sekinger is committed to transforming financial education, asset management, and Forex trading by introducing innovative solutions and empowering individuals and businesses with the tools and knowledge for financial success. His work across 0 Percent, Orca Capital, and Nurp LLC demonstrates a profound impact on the finance sector, emphasizing technology, education, and strategic growth. Jeff Sekinger is trendsetting the algorithmic trading sector, helping clients achieve financial independence.
Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?
My journey into entrepreneurship and financial empowerment began from a place of personal hardship. In 2017, I found myself drowning in high-interest debt that was crippling my credit score and my ability to move forward. Driven by a combination of frustration and necessity, I started to unravel the complexities of credit and financial management. Through self-education and determination, I not only improved my credit score but also liberated myself from debt, left my corporate finance job, and embarked on a new path that aligned more closely with my values and aspirations.
Realizing the transformative impact of my journey, I founded Zero Percent to extend this empowerment to others. The goal was simple: to help people navigate their financial struggles and achieve a fulfilling life, just as I had. This venture wasn’t about turning a profit, it was about transforming lives, including my own.
Throughout this journey, I’ve embraced numerous life lessons that have profoundly shaped my perspective and approach. I believe everyone has the potential to become who they want to be, and often, the resources needed are closer than we think. However, it starts with understanding what you truly value and aligning your pursuits with those values.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
“I was addicted to drugs for six years, and for the last four years, I was using every single day,” he says. “I was actively seeking help for several years, and I tried everything I could do personally. Toward the end, I considered a lot of things: methadone, ultra-rapid detox, and finally my mom found a rehab facility.
“The great thing about seeking help through rehab, is that it helps you develop as a person. What you need is that foundation of personal development before you do anything else in your life, and the rehab facility helped me solidify that foundation for me, in order to do what I’m able to do now.”
“I was obsessed with using, and I decided to change to obsession with using into business and reaching my potential. Now, I’m 100 percent obsessed with business and the team I’m building.”
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?
Innovation is in our DNA at Nurp, and we’re taking it to the next level. Our rapidly expanding team, now bolstered by top AI-focused quants and engineers, is on a mission to redefine the future of trading software.
Imagine having complex data analysis streamlined in mere seconds, predictive models so accurate they feel predictive, and a trading experience so personalized it’s like having your own AI-powered co-pilot by your side. That’s the goal of our cutting-edge work integrating the latest machine learning and advanced data science techniques into our products.
These aren’t just buzzwords — this is about transforming the way you trade. Picture workflows so intuitive they let you focus on what matters, insights delivered with lightning speed, and adapting to your unique needs. This is the future we’re building, and it’s coming sooner than you think.
The Nurp revolution has always been about putting powerful technology in the hands of investors. With our latest developments, we’re taking that to unprecedented heights. Stay tuned — the best is yet to come.
Thank you for that. Let’s now shift to the central focus of our discussion. The fintech industry is known for its fast-paced and ever-evolving nature. How do you lead your team through periods of significant change or disruption? What strategies do you use to maintain team morale and productivity during such times?
Leadership during change is all about clarity and vision. I focus on communicating the ‘why’ behind changes or disruptions, aligning them with our broader mission. We keep morale high by setting clear milestones and celebrating achievements, large and small. For instance, hitting key targets might mean team rewards or retreats, which help in maintaining engagement and a sense of accomplishment.
How do you come up with goals for your area of responsibility within the organization?
Goal setting at my level is about aligning with our long-term vision while being responsive to the market and our operational capabilities. I collaborate closely with various department leads to ensure that the goals are ambitious yet achievable, pushing the boundaries of what we think is possible while ensuring they contribute meaningfully to our strategic objectives.
How do you manage reporting to your board?
Clear, concise, and data-driven reporting is key. I focus on highlighting not only our successes and challenges but also the strategic decisions behind our actions. This approach ensures transparency and fosters a trust-based relationship with the board, facilitating more informed discussions and decisions.
Do you have any specific strategies that you use to manage your teams?
Yes, one effective strategy is fostering a competitive yet collaborative environment where innovation thrives. For example, we often run internal competitions for the best customer improvement idea, which not only enhances our services but also builds a team spirit focused on continuous improvement.
Fintech companies often disrupt traditional financial services by focusing heavily on customer experience. Can you describe a customer-centric initiative you spearheaded at your company and the impact it had on your business?
A key initiative was the overhaul of our customer support system, integrating AI to handle initial inquiries which allowed our human team to focus on more complex issues. This reduced response times and improved customer satisfaction scores significantly, reinforcing trust and loyalty among our users.
Decision-making in fintech involves assessing various risks, including technological, financial, and security risks. How do you approach risk assessment in your role, and can you give an example of a tough decision you made that involved a significant risk?
Risk assessment is about balancing potential benefits with the possible downsides. A significant decision involved shifting our data storage solutions to a more secure but costly cloud service. This move was risky due to the initial financial outlay and the operational shifts required, but it greatly enhanced our data security and compliance posture.
Based on your experience and success, what are the “5 Things You Need To Be A Highly Effective C-Level Leader Of A Fintech Company?” How have these 5 things impacted your work or your career?
1 . Integrity: Committing to transparency and honesty, which builds trust.
2 . Vision: Clearly articulating where the company is headed and why.
3 . Employee Inclusion: Ensuring every team member understands their role in our mission.
4 . Performance Standards: Maintaining high standards and accountability.
5 . Living the Values: Personally embodying the company’s core values in every action.
Looking ahead, what do you believe are the key trends that will shape the future of the fintech industry? How are you preparing your company to adapt to these trends, and what role do you see your leadership playing in this adaptation?
The fintech industry will be shaped by several key trends. First, technology and regulatory changes will further democratize access to financial markets. Second, user experience will be paramount, with a focus on intuitive mobile platforms. Third, fractional ownership and lower barriers to entry will expand access to investing.
To adapt, our company is prioritizing product innovation. We’re leveraging AI and machine learning to enhance our offerings. Our newly redesigned chat tool provides 24/7 customer support, exemplifying our commitment to user experience.
As a leader, I champion customer-centricity and innovation. My finance and technology background, along with Nurp’s Leadership Team, enables me to make strategic decisions benefiting customers. I foster a culture where the team feels empowered to experiment with novel solutions. This leadership approach will be crucial in navigating the evolving fintech landscape and continuing to deliver professional-grade trading software to Main Street.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
Imagine an education system designed for the 21st century, not the industrial age. A system that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. That teaches students financial literacy, entrepreneurship, civics and adaptability. Where technology democratizes access to quality learning, irrespective of zip code or income.
This is the revolution our children deserve. Because the stakes are high — without change, we’ll face stagnant wages, rising inequality, and a skills gap that threatens our competitiveness.
Transforming education won’t be easy. It demands difficult policy reforms, new curriculum, and business leaders providing mentorship and real-world experiences. But the potential is immense — a new era of prosperity and opportunity fueled by the world’s most prepared workforce.
If you’re ready to be part of this change, here’s some thoughts on the road map::
- Parents and Educators: Demand better from your schools. Seek out innovative programs and be willing to pilot new approaches.
- Business Leaders: Offer internships, mentorship, and real-world projects to help students build relevant skills.
- Policymakers: Champion reforms that prioritize 21st century skills over rote memorization.
Together, we can create an education system that prepares students to thrive, not just survive. The future of our nation depends on it.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
@jeffsekinger on Instagram, and www.nurp.com to connect with the Nurp team!
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
About The Interviewer: Kieran Powell is the EVP of Channel V Media a New York City Public Relations agency with a global network of agency partners in over 30 countries. Kieran has advised more than 150 companies in the Technology, B2B, Retail and Financial sectors. Prior to taking over business operations at Channel V Media, Kieran held roles at Merrill Lynch, PwC and Ernst & Young. Get in touch with Kieran to discuss how marketing and public relations can be leveraged to achieve concrete business goals.
