Snehal Fulzele of UPTIQ
An exclusive Tech Tribune Q&A with Snehal Fulzele (founder and CEO) of UPTIQ, which was honored in our:
Tell us the origin story of UPTIQ – what problem were you trying to solve and why?
We saw two opportunities in the wealth management space. First, financial advisors are under increasing pressure to offer holistic wealth management services to their clients. And second, financial advisors might not have the knowledge or experience to offer a holistic service efficiently. We developed UPTIQ to turn financial advisors into lending experts, adding an arrow to their quiver and elevating their ability to serve ALL of their clients’ needs. We started with a lending platform because our team’s background is in lending and underwriting. We know the system inside and out.
What was the biggest hurdle you encountered in your journey?
The unfortunate truth is that as entrepreneurs and business leaders, most of your time will be spent on “fixing” broken aspects of your business. You will not focus your time on what’s working.
It took me a while to develop the art of zooming out and resetting every now and then, as opposed to fighting fires all the time. Such strategic thinking made me a better decision-maker even when I had limited information.
What does the future hold for UPTIQ?
We intend to add features and developments such as alternatives, deposits, and insurance to our platform to further elevate advisors’ holistic capabilities. We want to be a partner to financial advisors, elevating their ability to work intelligently and efficiently, ultimately supercharging their growth.
What are your thoughts on the local tech startup scene in Plano?
I recently read that Plano is in the top 5 cities for startup formation, and it makes sense. Plano has a strong economy with low unemployment, exceptional job growth, and a steady stream of new graduates. Then you add in projects like the conversion of SMU’s Plano campus into a tech hub that will attract additional talent. Owning and operating a business is more affordable here, with lower taxes and business regulations. Plano has a strong entrepreneurial culture and community as well as a vibrant culture overall.
What’s your best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
That leaders eat last. In an era where your ambitious colleagues have plenty of opportunities in front of them, you will need to provide strong leadership, which typically translates down to creating an environment of accountability and excellence to pursue a shared vision. In that pursuit, make sure that you lead from the front and always serve your colleagues first and think about yourself last.