Before Nawal Young joined Vorto, her conversation with a recruiter came with a caveat: “Startups are for people at a certain phase of life.” Rather than deterring Young from applying, the comment pushed her ahead.
“The recruiter’s advice resonated with me because it aligns with my passion for continuous growth, and Vorto offers boundless opportunities for such advancement,” she told Built In. “Embracing the ‘win or die’ mindset is a prerequisite, and for those who relish the challenge and find thrill in the growth journey, there truly is no place like Vorto.”
“For those who relish the challenge and find thrill in the growth journey, there truly is no place like Vorto.”
The keys to success at Vorto for those ready for the ride are simple, according to Young. She credits a proactive and inquisitive approach and a commitment to connecting with her colleagues. For Young, those elements have helped her embrace the startup phase of life fully at Vorto — and advance at a rapid rate.
Young first joined the company as an operations billing specialist in January 2022 and was promoted to senior operations billing specialist that May, shortly before finishing her degree in accounting and finance. She then spent a year as a staff accountant before advancing to her current position as a senior account in January 2024.
“Currently, my phase involves experiencing significant growth and being willing to do whatever it takes to advance in my profession,” Young said. “Vorto, in this regard, has proven to be a limitless environment for personal and professional development. I can confidently say that I’ve never found more fulfillment in my work.”
Built In sat down with Young to learn more about what has made her experience at the AI-driven supply chain platform a thrilling journey so far — and why she’s excited to continue to grow.
How does working for Vorto help you make progress toward your career goals?
My professional aspiration is to lead with purpose and excel in my chosen field. I have chosen accounting as my career path because it provides me with the opportunity to develop a profound understanding of the entire business and furnish decision-makers with the most precise and current financial information.
Embracing a mantra of “maintain a growth mindset to consistently raise your standards,” or what we refer to as our “nutrition facts,” guides me in constantly seeking to elevate standards in my daily tasks. Devoting myself to consistently raising our standards and delivering optimal results not only aids in my journey to becoming an expert in my field but also instills confidence in my work.
The high standards expected at Vorto serve as a catalyst for my learning and growth, enabling me to perform exceptionally well, lead with knowledge and uphold elevated standards. I am confident that adhering to these standards will benefit not just my current role but any future position I may undertake. I firmly believe that once you embrace working with a mission and passion, there are no limits to what you can achieve.
What makes Vorto a unique place to work from a professional development perspective?
At Vorto, the possibilities for career advancement are boundless. There are no constraints on your professional growth — you’re not limited to a specific role or function. On the contrary, there’s an explicit encouragement to explore beyond boundaries, put forth innovative ideas and foster connections across departments. Personally, I’ve enjoyed the freedom to unleash my creativity, fearlessly ask questions and propose new ideas.
The organization has granted me the autonomy to construct processes from the ground up. Engaging in such endeavors involves a steep learning curve, but it has been immensely rewarding. This hands-on experience has deepened my understanding of my work, encouraging me to approach tasks not just as checkboxes to complete but as opportunities for continual improvement. Each day presents a chance to refine and enhance, fostering a mindset that goes beyond mere task completion to comprehensive comprehension and continuous enhancement. Vorto’s standards contribute to the development of a well-rounded individual, combining technical expertise with business acumen.
How have you grown professionally at Vorto?
My perspective on work has undergone a significant transformation. It’s no longer just a “job” to me — instead, it’s driven by a sense of purpose. I am fully immersed in my tasks, dedicated to ensuring the success of our projects and the company. Taking ownership has become second nature, and I personally feel accountable for addressing any challenges I encounter. If there’s a problem, it becomes my responsibility to find a solution. I’m not merely going through the motions; I’m actively questioning the “why” behind my actions.
My ability to collaborate across various departments has expanded, providing me with a distinctive viewpoint on both my responsibilities and any challenges that arise. I’ve come to realize that ambiguity often conceals opportunities to contribute to solving more significant problems. Foremost, I have learned that maintaining high standards is non-negotiable, and excelling in your tasks while embracing change is crucial for professional growth. I’ve come to understand the transformative potential of automation and how it can significantly enhance our work, freeing us to tackle more significant challenges and pursue new opportunities.
“Ambiguity often conceals opportunities to contribute to solving more significant problems.”
What professional development tools and resources, informal or formal, have you utilized?
Our most significant source of professional development lies within our leadership team. Through numerous conversations with various leaders regarding the direction of the business, I’ve gained profound insights into the company and successfully shifted my perspective. There was a moment when I was experiencing some challenges in my role. During a conversation with one of our leaders, he provided me with a perspective I had overlooked. He emphasized that opportunities often hide within ambiguity, and he was absolutely correct.
This conversation became a turning point for me. Returning to my desk that day, I began contemplating how I could bring about substantial impact in what I do. I subsequently enhanced processes for some challenging tasks, and I now take great pride in sharing this transformative perspective with new team members. While there may be numerous tools available, our most valuable resources are our people, extending beyond those we directly collaborate with to encompass individuals across various departments.
How are managers involved in the career development of direct reports?
Managers actively invest in our career development, providing the necessary resources for professional growth. There’s a noticeable absence of barriers between employees and managers, fostering a comfortable environment where I feel at ease approaching my manager with questions. Their knowledge and leadership instill confidence, making it easy for me to trust and seek guidance from them. Team building is a focal point, with managers creating opportunities not only for connecting with our immediate team but also fostering relationships with other teams.
Encouraging open conversation and questioning the rationale behind decisions, even when they come from a manager, is a norm. What stands out is the approach to mistakes — instead of punishment, there’s encouragement to identify and rectify errors, with recognition and rewards for doing so. This contrasts with my past experiences where people tended to conceal mistakes for fear of repercussions. Here, the culture is different. Managers actively support acknowledging and rectifying mistakes. We are still expected to produce excellent results, but mistakes happen and finding them and fixing them is encouraged.
How has joining Vorto positively impacted your professional journey?
We often joke about time at Vorto being akin to dog years due to the wealth of experiences packed into a short span. The learning curve here has exceeded my expectations, providing exposure and expertise that I hadn’t imagined in just two years. Confidence in my abilities has grown, yet the culture encourages me to ask questions about things I’m still learning. The idea of working without a clear purpose now seems dull; I crave understanding the “why” behind what I do and find it exhilarating.
My satisfaction and pride in my work stem from problem-solving and contributing to the transformation of our customers’ businesses. The notion of impossibility has dissolved. While hard work and dedication are crucial, achieving goals is undeniably possible. Learning to adapt swiftly is a crucial lesson—recognizing opportunities and taking immediate action distinguishes winners. I’ve realized that technical knowledge alone is insufficient; blending it with operational understanding is pivotal for professional growth. Beyond the professional realm, the standards we uphold at Vorto have permeated into my personal life. I’ve become more proactive, consistently seeking ways to enhance my life.
“The notion of impossibility has dissolved. While hard work and dedication are crucial, achieving goals is undeniably possible.”
What are you excited to accomplish next?
I am excited to uphold the standards at Vorto. The shift in my perspective has opened my eyes to exciting opportunities that I am eager to explore. I have a deep passion for my field and am committed to continual growth within it. I recently completed my prerequisites to sit for the CPA exam and am looking forward to starting the prep work. I firmly believe that achieving CPA certification will provide me with the knowledge essential for enhancing my professional credibility, enabling me to make even more substantial contributions in my field.
The growth of our team adds another layer of excitement to my professional journey. I am eager to share the wealth of knowledge I have acquired with new team members, assisting them in achieving the same successes that I have experienced at Vorto.
The dynamic nature of working in a startup environment means that one’s impact is readily visible. While I take pride in my accomplishments, I am acutely aware that there is still much work to be done. Looking ahead, I am excited to contribute to Vorto’s ongoing success and growth, remaining an integral part of the journey toward achieving our collective goals.
