Yroen Guaya Melgar is the co-founder and CEO of Mochi, a Philippines-based startup that makes receivables management easy for businesses of all sizes. They recently launched the beta version of their platform. 

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👋🏼 How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

I collect stories, listen to people's challenges, and try to help them with those.

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🧐 What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

I co-founded another startup with all-female founders previously. It was a crazy adventure, to say the least. I learned a lot from that experience, and I'd like to think I kept calm. 

Jess, Mau, Cecile, thank you. 

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🏆 What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

I love that we have formed a great team. One of the things I enjoy the most is brainstorming/amigo sessions. We share our ideas, we critique each other, we debate, and we laugh. We laugh a lot.

Those are some of the best times. 

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🔍 What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?‍

It might be cliche, but AI. There are a lot of developments in the space that we can use to complement our services and expand the outcomes we provide to platform users. 

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💼 What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry? 

Try to stay sane, but also be a little crazy. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, forgive yourself, and learn. Always remember who you are and who you want to be. Do not sell your soul. 

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🗣 What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours? 

I'd rather listen.

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🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show? 

I have a hard time picking favorites, but I'm currently watching Young Sheldon. 

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🍨 What's your go-to ice cream flavor?‍

Mint chocolate!

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FYI. We've edited this interview for clarity.