Founder, RIP Global
Wellington, New Zealand
This conversation was originally published in 2018 as part of the original Careering Conversations series.
We've lightly edited it for readability while preserving the original conversation and advice, and added an update on what Melissa has been doing since we first spoke.
Melissa Gollan is one of those people whose energy is immediately contagious. When we first met her, she was building RIP Global, a fintech startup designed to make expense reporting and bookkeeping simpler for businesses. It was an ambitious idea in a competitive market, but Melissa had never been afraid of tackling big challenges.
Entrepreneurship wasn't part of Melissa's original plan.
Growing up, Melissa always imagined herself joining the Police. She worked hard towards that goal and expected it would shape her career. Then, at 19, a significant life event caused her to reassess everything. After years of working towards one future, she suddenly found herself asking a question many of us have faced: what now?
Without a clear direction, Melissa threw herself into work. She held several different jobs, each teaching her something new, particularly about finance, business operations and dealing with people. At the time it felt like she was simply finding her way. Looking back, those experiences became the foundation for the business she would eventually build.
Melissa's path shows careers rarely unfold in a straight line. Sometimes the experiences that seem disconnected at the time are the very ones that prepare us for what's next.
Melissa also spoke openly about taking time away from her career to raise her family. Rather than seeing those years as a pause, she sees them as some of the most valuable of her life. They gave her space to reflect, reassess what mattered and decide what she wanted the next chapter to look like. She's also a passionate rugby coach, something that continues to shape her leadership style and connection with her community.
Throughout our conversation, one theme came up repeatedly: women are often much harder on themselves than they need to be.
Melissa believes many women underestimate their capability while trying to balance careers, families and the expectations they place on themselves. Confidence doesn't come from waiting until you feel ready. It grows when you choose to back yourself, think about the bigger picture and surround yourself with people who genuinely support your success.
She also challenged us to think differently about how we support women in business.
Too often, we celebrate entrepreneurs only after they've succeeded. Melissa believes the greatest difference can be made much earlier. Encouraging someone to take a chance, investing in an idea, becoming an early customer or simply offering support can make all the difference during the difficult stages of building a business. Strong innovation ecosystems aren't built by watching from the sidelines—they're built by people willing to back each other.
When we asked Melissa about success, her answer wasn't focused on recognition or financial milestones. For her, success comes from believing in what you're building, having the courage to pursue it and continuing to move forward even when the path changes unexpectedly.
Since we first spoke
Melissa remains founder and CEO of RIP Global (now also trading as RIPA Global), which has grown into an automated expense, invoicing and compliance platform used by government and business clients across New Zealand, Australia and Singapore. She continues to speak internationally about building fintech from New Zealand, including recent appearances at London Tech Week.
What Melissa taught us
Career plans don't always unfold the way we expect—and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Melissa's story reminds us that setbacks can become turning points, confidence grows through action, and some of the most valuable career experiences are the ones that only make sense when you look back.
