Growing up, being an aspiring teacher who wanted to change and flourish the lives of children, Jeanniey Walden never thought she would build a career in marketing and contribute in changing the financial systems for many Fortune 100 companies. Back in the day, when she went hunting for teaching jobs, there was a shortage, and as a result she decided to explore the business world. There she met some of the most inspiring people who guided and mentored her into pursuing a marketing role. She shares how mesmerizing it is that people can find their niche while actually looking for something else.
Today, Jeanniey Walden is the CMO of DailyPay, the industry-leading technology platform that’s disrupting the financial system.
Featuring for The Business Fame’s this issue of “Top 10 Businesswomen Leading the Charge of Successful Business in 2021”, here is her inspiring journey.
Jeanniey’s Inspiring Journey-
Jeanniey Walden is an award-winning, entrepreneurial Chief Marketing Officer who uses innovation to transform the way companies work to accelerate growth and brand impact. Currently, she is the CIMO of DailyPay, the industry-leading technology platform that’s disrupting the financial system. Jeanniey has led global Marketing and Growth for Fortune 1000 companies, including Mercer, Ogilvy, Barnes & Noble and JCPenney, as well as industry-transforming start-ups, including Zinio, RebelMouse and Ringblingz. A recognized “Woman in Business” and an entrepreneur; she has authored multiple books and launched five companies, including the Email Experience Council. She is a highly sought-after public speaker and frequently shares her keen business insight on nationally-syndicated and major market television and radio shows. Most recently, Jeanniey was named 2021 Top 50 Marketer Award by OnCon Icon Awards, a “Top 25 Women Leaders in Financial Technology” from The Financial Technology Report, a “Woman of the Year” in the 17th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and one of the 10 prominent women role models in FinTech from around the world from Global FinTech. Her new podcast, Stepping Up, featuring a meaningful conversation with the country’s top female leaders in business, is set to launch in 2021.
Challenges that Shaped the Strong Leader-
Anyone who is a successful business leader knows that there is a constant and tremendous amount of work that goes into becoming a trusted and respected leader, and staying that way. As soon as you think you know how to make it all work, something changes and you find yourself revisiting different areas of your business style, your problem solving abilities and questioning if you are even, in fact, an effective leader. The biggest challenge that you are tasked with is being able to stay focused on your larger strategy, and being confident in your choices.
When Jeanniey started at DailyPay, over 2 years ago, she knew that this hyper growth startup wasn’t ready for a full out brand campaign yet. They had a good bit of work to do and needed to educate the industry first. However, she knew that within two years DailyPay was going to need to put it all out there and make a big brand splash in order to keep growing at incredible rates. As the date got closer, Jeanniey started re-looking at the data that suggested the timing was right, the past research DailyPay conducted, and the work they prepared and thought- “Okay now, you’re the Marketing Leader. This better be the right thing to do!”
And they did it successfully!But the 8 months of behind the scenes work and preparing every team in the company for that day wasn’t easy. Jeanniey shares that it required a lot of listening, adjusting, reviewing and testing perspectives in the market.
The brand is the face to the market. It represents the company’s values and enables clients and prospects to visualize what DailyPay stands for. So, DailyPay dedicated their time and energy to perfecting their brand identity, from the font to the mission statement.
“We believe that money should always be in the right place at the right time, for everyone.”
DailyPay is creating a new financial system that works for everyone by rewriting the invisible rules of money. The new brand identity speaks to optimism and hope for a better future. It expresses the company’s belief in a positive future for their clients through the financial prosperity they can bring to their employees.
Accomplishments that Speak for Her-
Accomplishments at DailyPay started from Day 1. Proudly, Jeanniey was the first C-suite person hired, the first executive woman hired, and this opened the door for many women in Fintech and DeFi. During her time at DailyPay, she has introduced a strategic marketing framework that has elevated DailyPay as a company and a brand. In her role, she has helped drive DailyPay’s revenue up +300% and solidify partnerships with over 80% of the Fortune 200 companies. At the height of the pandemic, Jeanniey played a crucial role in pivoting the company’s brand and two main marketing campaigns, one during the Covid outbreak and the other for their recent rebranding.
“During her tenure, DailyPay has emerged as the market leader by an undisputed 57% brand awareness level.”
DailyPay’s press coverage increased by over 175% in 2020, with notable features in New York Times, Forbes, and more. To connect with the employers and employees on a more personal level, as the spokesperson for the company, Jeanniey strategically inserted DailyPay into cultural conversations about the pandemic and trending news. Who knew she would become a regular guest on radio and television shows as a DailyPay spokesperson!?
Her accomplishments are miniscule compared to what DailyPay has achieved over the past years. DailyPay has been recognized by numerous organizations as the leading financial technology platform and won numerous awards, from Forbes America’s Best Startup Employers 2021 to Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Honorees for 2021. Within the last year and a half, DailyPay has introduced 10 plus innovative solutions that reimagine the way money moves. Since 2020, DailyPay’s eligible employee growth has grown over 337% and now partners with 80% of the Fortune 200 companies that offer an on-demand pay benefit.
Her Advice to Budding Entrepreneurs-
“My advice is simple: Never be afraid. Be bold and take the chance- no matter who you are, how old you are, or where that chance will lead you.
Second, build a great network. Get out there and meet others like you- this might mean meeting people who love Snoopy, or the stock market, or cooking. It doesn’t matter, just build a network. You will need them one day and they will need you.
Third, always help others.”
