It’s an interesting conundrum that most people recognize their passion only during or after their professional education. Not many people get to accomplish a professional degree tailored to complement their time-tested passion. Natallia Simkina, the Founder & MD of SEKI Consulting, one of the fastest-growing Administrative, Financial and Corporate consulting services providers in Hong Kong, had an interesting professional journey in this regard. Natallia kick-started her professional career as a model based in Japan. She later moved to Hong Kong to further her horizons, with little knowledge that her life was about to take a surprising turn.
In Hong Kong, Natallia was coincidentally surrounded by people working in the financial sector. Her friendships ignited her interest in the field and led her to take her first job as a Relationship Manager at a brokerage firm, where she realized the immense value of hard work and financial knowledge in helping individuals achieve their life goals. This first-hand experience drove her to wonder how the same principles could be applied to assist companies, particularly in the F&B industry, which is often driven by a passion for food and hospitality but lacks expertise in financial management.
This realization was another turning point in her life, as she went on to complete her Master's in International Banking and Finance from Edinburgh Napier University. With deep-rooted knowledge and first-hand experience at her side, Natallia established her own firm, SEKI Consulting, to bridge the gap in the F&B industry. SEKI offers a wide range of services, from Company Incorporation to Secretarial Services, Bookkeeping & Accounting, and HR Management. She had perfect timing with her venture, as many businesses in the F&B segment that excel in creating exceptional dining experiences were struggling with financial management in the technology era, which is crucial for long-term success.
Lend your ears to Natallia; she reminisces, “My time at the University of Hong Kong was transformative in shaping my career success. The institution empowered me with a comprehensive understanding of financial principles and their practical applications in driving business growth. I learned how to accurately assess a company's financial health, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies to optimize operations and profitability.” She adds, “Moreover, the university provided an invaluable networking opportunity, enabling me to learn from and collaborate with peers who shared similar aspirations. This exposure broadened my perspectives and equipped me with the necessary skills to navigate the ever-evolving business landscape.”
Cut to the Present
Today, one of the Young Turks in the industry, Natallia’s roles and responsibilities are multifaceted—she is the CFO of a restaurant group and also a lifestyle firm while serving other clients of SEKI Consulting. She has carved her niche as a problem-solver, addressing financial emergencies and guiding top management on all financial matters. This involves analyzing financial data, identifying potential risks and opportunities, and developing strategies to enhance profitability and ensure long-term sustainability.
Another aspect of her management and leaderships skills is her clutch while coordinating with various stakeholders, including investors, lenders, and regulatory authorities, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and maintaining transparency in reporting.
By leveraging her deep-rooted financial expertise and first-hand strategic insights, Natallia plays a pivotal role in driving company growth, optimizing resource allocation, and maximizing shareholder value.
“My journey as a business leader in Hong Kong has been challenging yet rewarding, marked by perseverance, hard work, and significant accomplishments. It has been a path paved with blood, sweat, and tears but also with milestones that have allowed the companies I work with to grow and thrive. Through this journey, I have achieved not only professional goals but also gained invaluable lessons and experiences that have shaped my approach to leadership and decision-making,” Natallia adjoins.
Being a Unique Leader
Natallia’s special skills are the product of her extensive experience and deep-seated proficiency in financial tools and analysis. What distinguishes her, however, is her innate ability to grasp the motivations and ambitions of the individuals and entities she engages with.
This understanding enables Natallia to tailor each approach with a pragmatic outlook, ensuring that investment strategies and action plans harmonize with the organization's fundamental mission and goals. She excels at synthesizing discrete data points into the larger strategic context, crafting comprehensive investment plans that serve immediate needs while also addressing long-term objectives.
Natallia is driven by a leadership philosophy that revolves around empowering her team by articulating a clear vision of the end goals while meticulously navigating the complex details integral to the collective endeavor. She firmly believes that genuine motivation emerges when team members recognize the broader objectives they are striving towards and see how their individual efforts contribute to the collective aim.
By nurturing this comprehensive view, Natallia fosters an entrepreneurial mindset among the SEKI Consulting team, encouraging them to internalize the organization's aspirations as their own, thereby propelling the company toward exceptional achievements through steadfast commitment and zeal.
Measured March to the Future
Going forward, Natallia has defined clear business objectives for SEKI Consulting. One is to markedly scale SEKI’s business operations while adhering to the company’s foundational principles of quality, efficiency, innovation, and customer satisfaction. The company has set a target to increase its customer base by 56 percent within a year, breaking into new domestic and international markets. A pivotal element of SEKI’s expansion strategy is to extend its service offerings across the Asia Pacific region, with a focus on Singapore and Thailand.
The company also intends to harness technology to refine its operational efficiency and elevate the customer experience. This will involve developing a proprietary Business Management Platform that will seamlessly integrate with the cloud-based applications and can be utilized for daily service provision. Such advancements will not only streamline the company’s processes but also enhance its data analytics capabilities, enabling more tailored services for our clientele.
Surround yourself with a supportive network, embrace lifelong learning, & never lose sight of your passion
To facilitate this ambitious growth, Natallia is keenly focused on cultivating a robust and agile team. This encompasses not only the recruitment of exceptional talent but also a commitment to the continuous professional development of SEKI’s existing staff, ensuring their evolution in tandem with the company's progression.
Natallia adds, “Additionally, we are in the process of developing a proprietary platform. Currently, we operate a nearly paperless company, utilizing various cloud-based applications for all aspects of our client's business management needs, including billing, document uploads, bookkeeping, customer relationship management, and inventory management. Our goal is to create a unified platform that consolidates access to these disparate applications, thereby streamlining our workflow and enhancing efficiency.”
On a personal front, Natallia’s plan is anchored in achieving significant professional and personal growth over the next five years. She is committed to enhancing her competencies, broadening her knowledge base, and making a substantial contribution to the organization.
On a closing note, Natallia’s message to budding entrepreneurs is simple. She says, “Embrace the leap of faith. True value and success lie in providing solutions that address real needs. As long as you are committed to delivering value, people will recognize and appreciate your efforts.
However, remember that entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. Take the time to breathe, recharge, and maintain a balanced perspective. Resilience and perseverance will sustain you through the inevitable challenges that lie ahead. Surround yourself with a supportive network, embrace lifelong learning, and never lose sight of your passion.”
Natallia Simkina, Founder & MD, SEKI Consulting
An MS in International Banking and Finance from Edinburgh Napier University, Natallia possesses deep-rooted knowledge and first-hand experience in the financial segment, especially in the F&B industry. Her firm, SEKI Consulting, offers a wide range of services, from Company Incorporation to Secretarial Services, Bookkeeping & Accounting, and HR Management.
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