It’s Okay to Be Scared in Your 20s — Lessons From 30 Years in Payments — Joe Zahaitis

Joe Zahaitis is a payment industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience helping businesses understand how money really moves. As the founder of Zahaitis Consulting, he works with business owners and executives to simplify complex payment systems, uncover hidden costs, and make smarter financial decisions. His career has taken him deep into revenue operations, leadership, risk management, and business strategy.

In this practical and encouraging conversation, Joe shares:

• What his 20s actually felt like after college

• The “top of the pile to bottom of the pile” cycle that keeps repeating

• Walking into work scared because he didn’t know what he didn’t know

• The recurring elevator nightmare that was really about growth

• Why it’s okay (and normal) to be afraid in your 20s

• The power of saying “I don’t know — I’ll find out”

• Why rushing up the corporate ladder often backfires

• How long real growth and promotions actually take

• The hidden stress that comes with higher titles and bigger pay

If you’re in your 20s starting your career, feeling like everyone else has it figured out, or already pushing for rapid promotions, this episode offers honest, experienced perspective.

Timestamps below ⬇️

#JoeyZahaitis #CareerAdvice #PaymentsIndustry #20sLessons #ConversationsWithSekani

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Chapters

0:00 - Intro & Welcome Joe Zahaitis

1:40 - What His 20s Really Felt Like After College

8:15 - Top of the Pile in School, Bottom of the Pile at Work

15:30 - Walking Into Work Scared Every Day

23:10 - The Elevator Nightmare and What It Meant

31:45 - It’s Okay to Be Afraid — and to Say “I Don’t Know”

40:20 - Why Young Professionals Want to Climb So Fast

48:50 - How Long Real Promotions Actually Take

57:15 - The Hidden Stress of Higher Titles and Bigger Money