Within a few years, Charise Flynn went from college graduate to chief operating officer of one of Iowa’s hottest startups. Graduating college and entering the cutthroat career world can be an overwhelming thing, but the young Dwolla executive is proof that if you have experience and the drive behind it, success after graduation is more than attainable.

“I don’t see a difference between gender, race or age; being successful in life is all about experiences,” Flynn said.

Flynn is a 2004 graduate of Simpson College in Indianola with a double major in philosophy and religion.

“My degrees aren’t exactly business-related, but you can see where it correlates,” Flynn jokes.

Soon after graduating college, in 2008, Flynn decided to start her own consulting firm, C.RESULTS. The firm assisted startup companies in the Des Moines area and Dwolla was one of her companies. After working with Dwolla, Flynn was offered the position of COO.

“Charise brings organizational structure to the Dwolla. Not too many things go through the company that do not cross her desk, she’s a great asset to the company,” said Dwolla CFO JD Geneser.

Dwolla is a new payment network that allows its customers to send money via social networks and pay for things using a cellphone. Dwolla prides itself on being a cheap and safe system for customers. It’s on track to move more than $350 million this year. 

“I was hired at Dwolla last February as COO. As COO, I’m the head of operations, I oversee the office, deal with hiring and training, and work closely with the CEO and CFO,” Flynn said. “Since we are an independent company, the rules aren’t defined. It’s pretty exciting because things are constantly changing; duties from day to day aren’t crystal clear. One day I’m overseeing finance and the next I’m doing something completely different.

“I really deal with all aspects of the business.”

Flynn’s hard work is not just acknowledged within the company. She was recognized at the fourth annual Iowa Women of Innovation award ceremony in November for her work with small-business innovation. The event honors Iowa women who are leaders in science, technology, engineering and math.

“I was actually nominated by local community members and I was so surprised. I had no idea I had been nominated until a few weeks before the award ceremony,” she said. “I was pretty humbled to be nominated and really shocked to win an award.”

Flynn’s passion for her job lies with the opportunity to learn every day and work with a great team of people.

“Had it not been for such a hard-working team, Dwolla probably wouldn’t be where we are today,” she said. “I feel that what businesses do with 70 team members, we do with 20. Our team has such a good work ethic, I love being a part of it.”

Flynn’s advice for people thinking about careers revolves around exposure.

“Your experiences in college will build on what you do in your professional life. If you position yourself in the right areas to learn, you will go far,” she said. “Use your four years in college to try out different internships and jobs. Figure out what you enjoy; you’re not going to know that by sitting in classes. Put yourself out there and success will follow.”