What was your inspiration to start your own enterprise?
I saw an opportunity for developing and training next generation leaders, and what was defined as a “good leader” traditionally no longer applies in today’s day and age with the rapidly changing world. I saw there was opportunity to do things differently – for example, I incorporate AI and chatbots in my training rather than shunning away from the latest technologies.

I believe there is so much potential in young people today. What I see around me is a generation of next leaders who want to make a difference and who believe in a better tomorrow. So for me the question arises: How can I help them do that? That’s my purpose, support the leaders of tomorrow because quite frankly: the world needs better leaders. And that’s what Tomorrow College stands for.

Was there a time in this entrepreneur journey you felt like giving up and how did you overcome the challenge?
I go through many ups and downs like everyone else, but I do believe that once you’ve tasted entrepreneurship, you will never want it any other way.

I do admit there were times I felt overwhelmed, as I face new challenges each week. When I start to question myself on my decision – then I get connected with my friends, especially those working regular jobs. During our coffee catch-ups, we do check-in on each other and share our work updates. When they start talking about the usual pain-points in a corporate role – the bureaucracy, lacking customer-centric focus and the rigidness, then I get the moral boost and tell myself, ‘’Anna you made the right decision to be an entrepreneur! Now be creative and think of how you can tackle the problem at hand.”

Apart from the coffee catch-ups, I do look back at what gives me the energy – the purpose on why I chose to do this. I feel there is a need for better leaders and I see that what I’m doing has an impact on the society. So recapping the purpose of your journey helps to keep you going and overcome the challenges you face.

What does a normal week look like for you?
As an entrepreneur every week is so different and I can never compare it to my corporate days. Some days, I’m conducing the seminars/programmes, while other days I’m busy preparing the materials for the training. Normally, I do not use any existing materials, training guides, I draw up my own lesson plans, related materials and brainstorm ideas on how I can run the programmes with the support of new technologies in the market. There will also be lots of travelling around the globe, meeting clients and partners.

With many things going on – I always aim to strike a balance. As a mum of three, it’s important to spend time with my children and do some sports to keep me fit and stay active. The beauty of being an entrepreneur is the flexibility. I can decide to spend time during the day with my family and follow-up on work whenever it fits our family schedule.

I believe it is all about managing a good work-life balance.

Your leadership approach or philosophy?
To be honest, I have a very lean team and not many are on our payroll. However, where I embrace my leadership is when I work closely with partners and clients – where I get to lead.

The leadership style I like to role model is ‘’less about knowing and all about learning.’’ I feel it is important to be clear on what you know and what you don’t. If you don’t know, it is okay to say so and allow yourself to find ways to learn to do it.

Traditionally, we have been made to think that leaders should know all the answers and give the full direction. In today’s context with rapid changes around us this is no longer applicable. Even today, we have seen how some strong leaders choose to give direction on matters they don’t know and how it has costed the business and even lives.

I feel the world needs more open and transparent leaders who embrace what they do not know. It should not be seen as a sign of weakness or lacking leadership ability, but rather as a  sign of courage, trustworthiness and transparency.

Advice for young women following in your footsteps?
I would say: go and become an entrepreneur as soon as you can!

Personally, I felt the corporate world has failed women, especially the ‘working mothers.’ As an entrepreneur you have the flexibility to manage your schedule and explore your ideas, not to opt out, but to lean in on your own terms. Women are naturally good at multi-tasking so create your own path and do it your way!

In the dynamic world of financial technology, innovation and adaptability are key ingredients for success. One individual who embodies these qualities is Mona Zoet, the founder and CEO of RegPac Revolution, a pioneering end-to-end global regulation technology (RegTech) ecosystem builder and knowledge-sharing platform. With over two decades of experience in the Financial Services Industry, Mona has navigated the complex landscapes of legal compliance, risk management, and corporate banking before venturing into entrepreneurship.

Navigating Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles
Like any entrepreneurial journey, Mona's path was not without its challenges. In the starting stages, the company faced the dilemma of resource constraints and the complexity of operating in a budding Fintech landscape. However, Mona's resilience and strategic thinking came in handy. Instead of spreading efforts too thin, she made a crucial decision to streamline the business and focus on the regulatory technology domain, leveraging her background and passion.

Reflecting on the difficult moments, Mona emphasises the importance of resilience. The entrepreneurial journey, she notes, is a roller coaster ride that requires creativity and a go-getter mentality. Being bootstrapped, the team had to be resourceful and multi-task to keep the business afloat. Overcoming challenges became a source of great achievement and motivation, reinforcing the value of ownership and self-driven success.

Leadership Philosophy: Proactive, Charismatic, and Creative
Mona's leadership approach is characterised by a proactive and charismatic style. She believes in working hard and playing hard, emphasising the importance of exploring one's creative side, especially in the constantly evolving world of entrepreneurship. Finding a niche and differentiating oneself from others is crucial, a lesson Mona learned from her experience in the regulatory space.

A Day in the Life of an Entrepreneur
Mona shared her workdays are far from ordinary, often involving travel and a mix of professional and personal responsibilities. Starting with a morning run and family commitments, she dedicates time to emails, client calls, and meetings. Juggling these tasks alongside parenting responsibilities and frequent travel, Mona exemplifies the demands and rewards of an entrepreneurial lifestyle.

Advice for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs
For young women aspiring to follow in her footsteps, Mona offers valuable advice. She suggests gaining exposure to corporate life first: developing social skills, and understanding industry dynamics. While acknowledging the emergence of young entrepreneurs in the tech sector, highlights the importance of corporate experience in avoiding pitfalls.

Mona encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to consider starting their journey with co-founders. This collaborative approach allows for shared ideas and mutual support during challenging times. Being a go-getter, creative, and resilient is essential, along with having some capital to invest initially. She emphasises that success in entrepreneurship requires time, dedication, and the ability to secure buy-ins from potential investors.

In conclusion, Mona's entrepreneurial journey serves as an inspiring tale of resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of innovation in the dynamic realm of financial technology. Her commitment to addressing industry challenges through RegTech highlights the transformative power of entrepreneurial vision and determination.