Sharely makes it easy for people to donate directly from their investment accounts to vetted non profits. Their goal is to close two major gaps in charitable giving: most donations still happen in cash even though most wealth sits in investment accounts, and only a small group of savvy investors understand the tax benefits of giving stock. Sharely is embedding philanthropy into the tools investors already use, from brokerage apps to robo advisors, so anyone can make tax-smart, values-aligned donations.
They needed more structure around their product function, and that’s something I naturally bring. I’ve been a founder and product lead for many years, so I could step in quickly with a clear approach. I also really connected with their mission and the team. They have a strong founder–problem fit, and that made it easy for me to align with where they want to go.
The main challenge has been speed. With limited funding, we always want to move faster on product development. The biggest win is that our core product is now production-ready, and we’re reaching out to pilot customers. It feels like we’re hitting an important turning point.
You need a lot of flexibility and a high tolerance for uncertainty. It often feels like operating in the fog of war, and I’m one of those people who actually enjoys that. In a startup, you wear many hats and jump into whatever fire is burning. In larger companies your role is fixed, but in a startup you spot the problem and you just go. I love that pace and the variety of challenges.
Practically, I’ve learned more about the fintech landscape, especially around building compliant API products. I’ve also picked up new ways to use AI and automation tools, including for social media lead generation. On a personal level, I’ve learned how to run my fractional business, manage client relationships and structure my time. It’s been incredibly rewarding.
I’ve worked in consulting and built my own startup before, so part of the motivation was wanting to give back. I’ve gathered enough hard-earned lessons to support other founders. Fractional work lets me contribute at both a strategic and hands-on level, which I really enjoy. It also gives me the freedom to work with multiple clients and manage my own schedule. I plan my time in blocks, which means I can balance client work, marketing and the occasional afternoon off when I need it.
We’re preparing to launch our product pilot and closing out our pre-seed round. If any angels or VCs want to speak with us, we’d love to connect. As Head of Product, my focus is guiding Sharely toward product market fit, meaning a compelling product, multiple paying customers and a repeatable sales funnel. We’re not there yet, but we’re on the path.
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