Julie Gaines

SVP, Business Development, eCapital Commercial Finance

With over 30 years of experience in financial services, Julie is proud to facilitate solutions for eCapital Commercial Finance as SVP, business development officer. Serving SMBs across multiple industry sectors, Julie leverages eCapital’s vast financial resources, advanced technology and innovation to provide customized alternative financing solutions to undercapitalized businesses. No matter whether the business is in manufacturing, staffing or any other market, Julie is committed to supporting clients’ financial needs with fast, easy-to-manage solutions.  

As an experienced entrepreneur, she has lived the life of the business owner and understands the challenges of running your own company. This familiarity is the root of her passion for providing growth capital solutions to companies at all stages of their lifecycle. For Julie, helping businesses thrive by accelerating their access to capital is better than having that first cup of coffee in the morning.

Offering a range of scalable benefits, Julie works with the eCapital team to create customized financial solutions to complex problems. To her great satisfaction, she develops long-term relationships with clients as their business grows.  

What advice would you offer to women just starting out in the industry? 

As you know, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Likewise, building a career is a long-term process full of challenges, some setbacks and worthwhile accomplishments along the way. Roll up your sleeves, be prepared to do the work and have the patience knowing that women can (and do!) succeed in the secured finance industry. The best advice I can offer to anyone just starting out in the secured finance industry is to learn the business from experienced professionals, those that have charted their own path to success. Don’t be afraid to ask lots and lots of questions, show initiative and, most importantly, always be learning.  

What role has mentoring played in your career?  

There is great power in mentoring and being mentored; it truly can have a life-long impact on both parties. Role models and mentors have been at the forefront of my professional success. These are the people from whom I continue to learn and grow every day. Mentorship has enabled quicker advancement, greater earning potential and more job satisfaction. I believe that the best mentors are those that ask lots of pertinent questions to help guide you to your own solutions. A positive mentoring relationship provides additional insight, constructive observations and thought-provoking conversations to help you grow. As a role model, we are all here to help each other succeed.  

What do you enjoy most about your role? Least?  

Having personal experience as a small business owner, I fully understand the challenges, frustrations and rewards of running your own business. Too often, the financial constraints that business owners face become their greatest pain point and largest obstacle holding them back from success. What I enjoy the most is the role reversal I now perform. Instead of facing these obstacles, I now am in a unique position to provide creative and alternate financial solutions that will allow businesses to thrive. Providing a pathway to success by presenting business owners with a flexible working capital solution is tremendously satisfying. And, I know everyone says this, but there is truly nothing about my role that I don’t love. Helping people and businesses succeed is so rewarding. 

How do you balance work/personal time?  

Balancing work and personal time are a challenge in almost any career, but enjoying job satisfaction is a huge advantage to establishing a healthy and happy lifestyle. With secured finance, it’s great to be able to combine the passions I have in my career and weave them into my personal life. Some days it’s less balanced than others, but I’ve found what works for me. 

How can commercial finance organizations attract and retain more women?  

The alternative lending space is rapidly growing as a mainstream financial solution for undercapitalized businesses. The challenge for our industry is to have the financial backing and human resources to keep pace with market demand. Bringing awareness to the opportunities that lie ahead for young women entering the financial industry is essential. Recruiting more women right out of college and providing opportunities to grow within an organization will be a definite step forward in this endeavor.