#193 Navigating My First Fundraise as Group CFO with Vineta Bajaj https://open.spotify.com/episode/11eo7ZWSRIHL77o1p1kWtX

In this episode, we are honored to have Vineta Bajaj, the Group CFO of Rohlik Group and former executive at Ocado, as our guest. Vineta opens up about her personal and professional experiences across diverse environments, stressing the importance of owning one’s space and maintaining authenticity. Her insights are not only inspiring but also provide practical advice for navigating the complexities of leadership in today’s fast-paced business landscape.

Kevin enriches the dialogue by addressing the unconscious biases and challenges that female founders often encounter in fundraising and business operations. Kevin underscores the significance of personal development mentors like Michael Hipple, who play a crucial role in helping leaders transform challenges into opportunities. This discussion sheds light on the unique obstacles faced by women in the entrepreneurial world and offers valuable perspectives on overcoming these barriers through self-awareness and strategic thinking.

In the latter part of the episode, Vineta and Kevin pivot to the specific challenges associated with sustainable growth in the competitive online grocery market. They explore the demanding responsibilities of a CFO, particularly in formulating effective communication strategies with investors during fundraising efforts. Their combined expertise provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of balancing sustainable growth with the intricate demands of financial leadership. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to gain deeper insights into the multifaceted role of a CFO and the evolving dynamics of the online grocery industry.

Key topics covered include:

• Vinita Bajaj’s career journey from KPMG to becoming the Group CFO of Rowlett Group, an online grocery company in Europe
• The challenges of fundraising for an online grocery business in a difficult market, including Vinita’s personal struggles with preparing for the fundraise
• Tips for identifying and selecting the right investors for a growing business
• The financial restructuring challenges faced by businesses in the current environment, and the importance of emotional detachment in decision-making
• Vinita’s passion for empowering female founders and overcoming biases in the business world

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyBHBGqNa7s Links

• Vineta Bajaj on LinkedIn
• Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn
• GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps

• 0:10 – Introduction by Kevin Appleby, highlighting GrowCFO as a platform for finance leaders.
• 0:40 – Vinita Bajaj expresses gratitude for being invited to the podcast.
• 0:46 – Vinita shares her professional background starting from her accounting degree to her experience at KPMG.
• 1:14 – Discusses various roles and accomplishments at Kerry Group and subsequent career transitions.
• 2:12 – Vinita highlights her move to the UK, joining the company Catelogue, and her journey leading to becoming Group CFO at Rowlett Group.
• 3:39 – She elaborates on challenges faced in the current market and how their company has managed growth.
• 5:38 – Describes personal and professional challenges during the fundraising process.
• 8:26 – Talks about preparing for meetings with investors, focusing on understanding key business metrics.
• 10:07 – Discusses balancing precision with the broader financial picture when dealing with investors.
• 11:22 – Reflects on leveraging her team more effectively during the fundraising process.
• 13:10 – Shares strategies for identifying and selecting the right investors with the help of external financial advisors.
• 15:30 – Addresses the current difficult market conditions and consolidation within the industry.
• 18:09 – Discusses the importance of emotional detachment when making restructuring decisions.
• 21:03 – Vinita reveals her passion for mentoring and investing in small businesses, especially those led by female founders.
• 22:12 – Talks about personal experiences with sexism, racism, and ageism in her career, advocating for owning one’s space.
• 25:27 – Concludes with a powerful message about internal power and determination to succeed regardless of obstacles.
• 26:48 – Kevin Appleby wraps up the conversation, thanking Vinita for her insights.

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