Investing can often seem daunting, especially for those just starting out. In this interview, we speak with Kateřina Karochová, an experienced professional in investor care and communication, about the realities of investing, overcoming fears, and the importance of diversification. With a background spanning the startup ecosystem, customer care leadership at Zonky.cz, and now her role at Fingood, Kateřina brings a unique perspective that blends professional expertise with personal experience. She shares her journey, lessons learned, and insights on navigating the evolving investment landscape.
When we talk about the world of real investing (not just a savings account), my first exposure to investing came after college through Zonky. It was one of the first P2P platforms in the Czech Republic and significantly increased awareness of crowdfunding investing in general. Zonky (as a job opportunity) was an invaluable learning experience and a great opportunity for me. I’m very grateful for it because it had a startup environment full of enthusiastic people, and it introduced me to a field I wouldn’t have discovered otherwise.
You just have to start. I don’t think it’s about a story—it’s a necessity nowadays. It’s about habits, consistency, and learning from mistakes. As you said, even small amounts can grow into significant investments. The most important thing is to start and stay committed—just like with anything else. And the second most important thing is diversification.
I'm not an expert in specific investment strategies; I just use common sense and follow widely known rules because I tend to be more conservative when it comes to money. Today, there are many platforms, each focusing on different types of investing. Some are tailored for people who are starting from scratch, so getting started is really not difficult.
You’re right. People sometimes don’t want to take responsibility for their decisions. It’s a matter of maturity. And if you want a specific example, I can share cases from investors that show how unwise it is to put the majority of one’s funds into a single “guaranteed investment.”
Primarily, I don’t put all my eggs in one basket, because I’ve seen people around me lose a lot of money that way. As I mentioned before, it’s important not to put all your eggs in one basket. I find this principle the most accurate.
I'm a fan of long-term investment strategies and staying calm without panicking. This approach is commonly followed by women, which is why, in the long run, they often achieve better results than men. I’m a conservative investor, but when a loss occurs, I try to act maturely and learn from my mistakes. It also depends on how quickly you need to withdraw money from a given investment (e.g., real estate). Of course, it’s an advantage if you’re not under time pressure.
I believe that long-term investing is more about perseverance. It’s about not getting scared. I shouldn’t mention specific cases of loan clients or investors, but patience pays off. And if an investment, such as a development project, is well-secured, we have yet to encounter a situation where investors didn’t recover at least a significant portion of their invested principal.
Everyone is responsible for themselves, and I don’t know a more liberating feeling than being financially independent.
The idea that any investment is 100% certain is definitely a misconception. No such investment exists. That’s why I always return to the concept of diversification.
Generally, I think it’s great that people, especially in the Czech Republic, have started taking more interest in investing, becoming more educated, and benefiting from the significantly expanded range of investment products. I can reveal that Fingood also plans to expand its range of products. Our main goal in the coming months is simplicity and clarity.
About Kateřina Karochová
Kateřina Karochová is responsible for communication and investor care. She has been involved in the startup environment since her studies, starting at Techsquare and later leading customer care at Zonky.cz, where she gained significant experience in the P2P business. Currently, she is drawing on her previous work experience, as well as lessons from motherhood and dancing. At Fingood, she is building a customer care service that, ideally, investors won’t need, but if they do, they will receive quick and high-quality responses.
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