Women in fintech — Dusica Lukac

Who are you, what are you working on?

My name is Dusica Lukac and I am a proud owner of Stizzbuzz.com and DL Capital Partners ltd.

In addition, I am a member of Disruptive Disciples a global movement linking innovators and disruptors globally that was launched in Zug in Switzerland in 2017 and spreads around the globe. I am also behind the new initiative Crypto Hangover, helping blockchain ventures fair even better in very volatile market conditions. I am very much focused on Fintechs, their strategies and naturally M&A and fundraising when the time is right.

How did you end up working in fintech?

It came only naturally. I have been in Financial services for almost 20 years and was looking from the inside how great a need for change is. As I climbed on the corporate ladder and came to where I wanted to be I started looking for another challenge. It is not coming as a surprise that one of my first loves — tech married happily another one — financial services. The world of Fintech was my next choice.

What was the major challenge when changing from classic banking sector to fintechs?

Change of the mindset. That was crucial, after that everything was so natural. I needed to redefine what success is for me and move away from living within the corporate box and enjoying successes within this closed environment. Due to my philosophical nature, it was not so difficult, but if you are trying to replicate your corporate experience in a startup world you will experience a lot of pain and frustration. These two worlds despite being part of the business family, are very much different animals.

Top 3 tips for those who are planning a major carrier change

1. know yourself well, what is a major driving source behind your business success and what drives your decision-making process

2. get in it with an open eye and be ready to learn up and down not only from those above you

3. be aware of your competitive advantages but also disadvantages and work on them strategically

Did you ever feel you had to prove yourself more because you are a woman?

I was always aware of the obstacles women meet in the business arena. In the end, we are the new entrants, being educated and at the forefront for just a few decades. In that sense, being aware of it I have never lost a sleep over it. However, coming from the long line of strong women both educated, hardworking and persistent, I had good role models that I have to do what is right for me. I was lucky that I had no definition how it should look like, I just took a path and walked it. Have I encountered obstacles — yes! Have I managed to overcome the obstacles — yes! For me, it was always a matter of time and energy spent on something. One of my bosses thought me early to chose my own battles, so I was not wasting my energy on every single thing that bothered me. I focused my energies on the significant battles and strategized wisely. Like good old Roman generals! In my case that paid off.

Who or what inspires you?

People. Always people. I find inspiration in history, I am a big nerdy fan of history, and in people around me. I try not to cloud my mind with the mainstream media so I do not watch TV or read tabloids. I am fully focused on keeping my inquisitive mind fresh and open and letting it roam around us for the inspiration.

What is your love project at the moment?

Disruptive Disciples and Crypto Hangover. Both are in the preparation phase and they are coming soon with many great things planned.

What are you most proud of?

Being resilient and being able to stop when it is necessary to regroup and move on ahead.

I have won many awards in my career, most recent one I was nominated Best Fintech Consultant in CEE in 2018 by Wealth and Finance International in the UK, but all awards come and go, a personality trait that keeps us going stay. So I still vote for personality trait as my biggest asset and something I am most proud of. I am aware of it, and I am nurturing it.

What advice would you give to girls interested in fintech?

Just jump into the cold water and do it. Fintech is there for you like any other choice you might have. The world is changing, be aware of why you really react in that way to the provocations of the external world and just keep going. Don’t let yourself stay in the unconscious zone.

Chose wisely your fights, you are your biggest asset, and take good care of it.

Your guideline/motto

When things are not going well, stop, learn something new and then look into the belly of the beast with a fresh eye.