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The Short Cut:
A quick fire chat about working life with Anna Tsyupko
At the heart of the Nurture Network is the power of sharing experiences. From breakthrough career moments, to best ever advice, how to deal with stress and the women that inspire them.
The Short Cut designed to bring you a snapshot of our members’ working lives. Today we’re speaking to Anna Tsyupko, Chief Operating Officer at tomato pay
Tell us about your breakthrough career moment
Being asked to take over and pivot a Fintech start-up at the age of 23! It’s been an absolutely rollercoaster pushing me out of my comfort zone over and over but also showing me that so much more is possible than what I had dared to envisage before that.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever had?
“Take responsibility for your actions, not somebody else’s reaction.” We can’t control how other people will react and their reactions will be driven by lots of factors. So, there is no point in assuming responsibility for strong, negative, etc. reactions. What we can do, however, is take responsibility for our actions and make sure we act with the best of intentions and authentically.
Have you ever felt held back as a woman in business? How did you respond?
I’ve felt quite invisible in certain male-dominated client meetings where, even though I was more senior than my male colleagues, the clients would address all their attention to them rather than myself. One of my male colleagues actually found a solution – every time the client would look at him rather than me, my colleague would shift his gaze to me, thus directing the client to do the same.
How do you protect your mental health in moments of pressure?
I keep a 5 minute journal which allows me to set a daily intention and to define three things (all under my control) that would make my day amazing – this feels hugely empowering and shifts the mindset from feeling like things happen to you to being in control.
Do you have any hobbies to keep you busy in your spare time?
I’m a personal development junkie so always on the lookout for new books, techniques or practices to help me feel more in charge of my own life and well-being. I also love the theatre and live music performances so trying to go as often as I can!
I feel empowered when…
…when I’m in flow – doing something that plays into my natural strengths and requires just the right balance of concentration and relaxation.
The world would be a better place when…
…. everyone makes a conscious effort to be kind, considerate and open-minded.
The woman everyone should (and most probably does) know about…
….Angela Merkel. I admire her strong and steady leadership – letting her work and actions speak for her.
The woman who empowers me the most is…
…. my coach Carmen Cordiviola. After speaking to her I feel like nothing is impossible and that I have a lot more power than I think I do.
Where is your favourite place in the world?
My family home in the south of Spain – there’s no place that’s more calming, serene, and familiar to me.
