Cam Richardson is the Founder & CEO at PaySquad, which handles group payments at checkout to reduce friction while increasing merchants’ cart sizes and consumer insights in the retail and ticketing verticals.
Let’s start with your background! Can you share with us your career journey and what you’re currently up to?
I went to University to become a Geotechnical Engineer because I liked making Mountain Bike trails. It was a little shortsighted, ha. Luckily, a wave of entrepreneurship came through the Uni, and I got completely swept up in it.
The idea that there were systems and communities to help awesome ideas propagate into the world seemed too good to be true. I often joke that if I had personally known a single entrepreneur growing up, I would have figured out I was built for this a lot earlier. After this revelation, I worked at a few crowdfunding, omnichannel retail and financial education startups/companies.
During this time, I turned 21. At my party, my flatmates ushered me into our house, which they had filled with smoke, and rolled out a three-wheel Honda Gyro motorbike. I was floored. When I asked them how they afforded it, they said “everyone at this party chipped in to get it for you”. It was a transcendent moment for me, spurring the thought “how can I make more of these happen”.
All of these experiences culminated in the founding of PaySquad; the first ‘Buy Now, Pay Together’ that introduces a group payment option to checkouts in the retail, ticketing and travel verticals, helping people do things together.
We’d love to know what a typical day is like for you. Could you describe a recent workday?
No day is really ‘typical’ at the moment, but they sometimes follow a general pattern. My early mornings are dedicated to a time of prayer and devotion, making breakfast for my wife and kids, and biking to my office.
Then, I have a strong coffee and leap into action, focusing on the most demanding or creative work. At lunch, I try and squeeze in a workout at the gym, then get through the more menial tasks in the afternoon. In the evenings, it’s family time, band practice or small group meetings.
Can you define work-life balance for yourself and share with us your approach in maintaining it?
I prefer the term ‘work-life harmony’ — ensuring both are thriving in tandem and creating a cohesive life song. When one is failing or struggling, I aim to have the capacity to spend quality time and energy repairing it.
A somewhat counter-intuitive way I maintain harmony is actually assuming more responsibilities outside of work. Becoming a dad, voluntarily leading groups at my church and drumming in a band all are responsibilities that remind me I’m a whole person, and my identity extends beyond just my startup.
Change is constant, and it’s essential for growth. Have you made any lifestyle changes in the past year to improve your work-life balance?
After hearing the quote “founders are athletes”, I realised I needed to take my daily nutrition and exercise habits more seriously so I could be present and active at work and in life. I’m still in the early days, but am actively trying some different routines and listening to my body more.
We’re always on the lookout for new resources! Can you recommend any books, podcasts, or newsletters that have helped you in your journey towards balance?
Audiobooks while working out! Currently going through 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The Cold Start Problem — both excellent books. I love 7 Habits’ focus on living a principled life.
Before we wrap up, do you have any final words of wisdom or insights on work, life, or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” — remember to enjoy the process! Approaching your venture from a place of purity, clarity and joy is an incredible feeling. I think it’s what sets apart some of the greats, and produces longevity. Mr Beast on YouTube, for example, is not so much trying to be rich and famous, but rather just loves making videos, helping people, and entertaining. This can be seen as he simply uses his wealth and fame as fuel to make better videos, help more people and entertain along the way.
