At The Watercooler

At the Watercooler with Tal Clark of Instant Financial

Tal Clark, CEO of Instant Financial, joined a start up team in the fintech space to be involved with businesses that create solutions focused on improving the financial health and financial inclusion for all employees.

February 19, 2024 by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Describe your current role.

As the chief executive officer at Instant Financial, I'm responsible for setting the overarching strategy for the business and, ultimately, giving my entire team the support they need to succeed in their goals.

What was your first-ever career role and what is one important lesson you learned from it?

My first career role was as an officer and helicopter pilot in the United States Marine Corps. The importance of teamwork, morale and esprit de corps was critical then, and it is critical in any business environment. The energy that comes from working together to achieve goals, while caring for the needs of each person is fulfilling to leaders as well as the teams involved.

What inspired you to work in your industry?

The opportunity to be involved with businesses that create solutions focused on improving the financial health and financial inclusion for all employees is what originally attracted me to join a startup team in the fintech space. Since then, it's continued to be my driving focus and I'm committed to doing so through my work with the team at Instant Financial.

What industry trends do you think don't get enough attention and why?

While delivering earned wages and tips 'instantly' to employees has received attention over the past few years, it has still not been widely recognized for the value it brings as a benefit across all organizations and industries. It's my opinion — and that of everyone working at Instant — that all employees, regardless of employment type or income status, should have access to wages that they have earned. The expectations of today's workforce, paired with the advancements in employee pay technologies create a perfect opportunity for increased employee financial wellness to flourish.
I am concerned that the current regulatory environment is hampering some of the momentum, instead of facilitating easier access for all employees.

If you weren't working in your current field, what would you be doing instead?

I enjoy being involved with new ventures, so I most likely would continue to be involved in entrepreneurial activities in this industry or others.

What do you do to have fun outside of work?

I enjoy travel, sports and flying a small plane that I have. If I can combine all three, even better!

Is there anything else you would like to tell people about yourself or your company/organization?

There are misconceptions around earned wage access that are preventing wider adoption and access. At Instant, we're aiming to dispel these myths by offering the industry's most responsible and flexible way for employees to get access to the money that's rightfully theirs.

Our fee-free model of pay delivery allows employees to get access to their hard-earned tips and wages any time they need them, all without the burden of fees. Organizations that value employee well-being, and want to increase retention, employee engagement and more should keep us in mind.

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About Mandy Wolf Detwiler

Mandy Wolf Detwiler is the managing editor at Networld Media Group and the site editor for PizzaMarketplace.com and QSRweb.com. She has more than 20 years’ experience covering food, people and places.

An award-winning print journalist, Mandy brings more than 20 years’ experience to Networld Media Group. She has spent nearly two decades covering the pizza industry, from independent pizzerias to multi-unit chains and every size business in between. Mandy has been featured on the Food Network and has won numerous awards for her coverage of the restaurant industry. She has an insatiable appetite for learning, and can tell you where to find the best slices in the country after spending 15 years traveling and eating pizza for a living.

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