Breaking the corporate mould: The case of starting your career at a startup

“We’re still incredibly focused on the results, we move at a fast pace, and we prioritise skills, merit, and talent above everything else.” – Chee Cui Xia, Chief of Staff, MoneyHero Group

As graduation season approaches and the job market faces global uncertainties, the path less travelled—joining a startup—might seem daunting. However, for Chee Cui Xia, Chief of Staff at MoneyHero Group, it was a decision that not only shaped her career but also led her to become the youngest Chief of Staff within the company.

Her journey with SingSaver, which became part of the MoneyHero Group, offers invaluable lessons for Gen Z and millennials navigating their early careers in a dynamic economic climate.

The allure of the startup: A vision-driven start

Straight out of the National University of Technology (NTU) and UC Berkeley, Chee was on the hunt for something “fast-paced, meaningful, and hand-on.” This desire led her to a pivotal two-hour interview with Rohith Murthy, the Founder of SingSaver, a then-small startup in its second year.

“He shared his vision for SingSaver and his own story of leaving a banking job to start his own company. I felt excited by his passion and vision, and I knew right away that I wanted to be part of this journey,” Chee told HRM Asia. The company’s mission—“to empower people in Singapore to make smarter personal finance decisions”—resonated deeply with her.

Choosing a startup over a more stable corporate route was a deliberate choice for Chee. She saw an immediate opportunity to gain “hands-on experience quickly, take on real responsibilities early, and directly impact people’s financial wellbeing.” Unlike larger organisations, she knew she would gain “immediate exposure to senior leaders, learn multiple aspects of running a business, and work in an environment where skills and ideas were valued above hierarchy.” This initial leap of faith, she said, was “a meaningful and impact start to my career.”

Evolving culture, enduring ethos

From a tight-knit team of five or six in its early days, SingSaver, now part of the wider MoneyHero Group, has undergone significant expansion. Yet, Chee emphasised that the core ethos remains steadfast. “Our initial ethos remains unchanged, and our culture is still as tight-knit as it was a decade ago,” she noted.

Growth has naturally brought about the need for more structured operations, including “clear and structured communication, disciplined processes, and organised cadences.” Building strong teams, effective hiring, talent development, and long-term strategic planning have also become paramount. Despite these evolutions, Chee highlighted the constants: “We’re still incredibly focused on the results, we move at a fast pace, and we prioritise skills, merit, and talent above everything else.”

Crucially, the commitment to employee growth remains a cornerstone. “No matter what the designation is, exposure and opportunities to rapidly learn new skills have remained central to our DNA,” she affirmed. “The startup spirit, where you constantly take on new challenges, remains very much alive.”

As the youngest Chief of Staff within the MoneyHero Group, Chee acknowledged the potential for age-related challenges. However, she credits SingSaver’s foundation of mutual respect for fostering an environment where she can thrive. “The inclusivity that we have built has ensured that I can collaborate across teams and functions efficiently,” she explained.

A key aspect of her leadership approach has been sharpening her communication skills to garner stakeholder buy-in. “This has been crucial in my role, both internally—ensuring clarity, alignment, and efficiency across larger teams—and externally, clearly articulating our purpose, vision, and value proposition to the market, investors, and customers,” she stated.

Her role involves close collaboration with various departments, driving organisation-wide priorities from product development to marketing. “We are focused on achieving scale, accelerating growth, and driving sustainable profitability for our shareholders and organisation,” Chee explained. This necessitates making “tough, thoughtful decisions that balance short-term impact with long-term success, while preserving our agility and entrepreneurial spirit.”

Navigating early careers: Chee’s advice to the next generation

In today’s uncertain job market, Chee offers three key pieces of advice for Gen Z and millennials:

• Choose your environment wisely: “Find companies and leaders who genuinely value merit, skills, and diverse perspectives. I am fortunate at SingSaver and MoneyHero Group because leadership opportunities are always based on what you have delivered.”
• Actively seek opportunities: “Do not wait for opportunities—actively seek them out and be willing to take risks. When I first joined as a business analyst, it felt challenging and unfamiliar, but taking that leap of faith has shaped my career significantly.”
• Building a strong network: “Build a network of supportive mentors and colleagues. Having role models who you trust and who understand your strengths and ambitions makes a huge difference.” As an introvert herself, she encourages others to “step out of their comfort zone, ask questions, share ideas, and be proactive.”

Continued motivation and personal growth

Chee’s journey with MoneyHero Group has been transformative, both professionally and personally. Professionally, she has gained invaluable experience in managing multicultural environments across multiple markets. Personally, the company’s mission has had a profound impact on her own financial literacy. “I purchased my first credit card and multiple travel insurances through our own platform, and these insights have allowed me to better manage my finances more responsibly,” she shared. This direct experience reinforces the value of their offerings, motivating her to “deliver impact through my work.”

After a brief hiatus and return to the group, Chee finds renewed motivation in working alongside mentors who shaped her early career. Now, as Chief of Staff, her priority extends beyond the group’s mission to empower others financially. It is also to “facilitate the same positive experience and environment I had to thrive professionally and grow personally,” she concluded.