Meet Stefan Izegbu, customer success and operations associate at Klasha

I am Izegbu Stephen, but Klashans call me Stefan. I am a customer success and operations associate at Klasha. I graduated from Redeemer’s University and the University of Ibadan with a bachelor’s degree in history and international relations and a master’s degree in professional ethics, respectively. I am a tech bro by day and an introvert by night.

Your name is Stephen, but Klashans call you Stefan. What’s the story there?

Funny story. When I joined Klasha, there was already a Stephen (Ojerinde), who is my oga and one of the best engineers you will ever meet. So whenever anyone calls for Stephen, we both have to be on the lookout for which one of us it is. So I choose to go with Stefan to avoid confusion. The funny part is the confusion is still there because we also call him Steph now. We both left our names for Klashans, and we still get mistaken for one another. Not sure what we can do to help Klashans, but we’re dealing with it.

What was your career like before Klasha?

I was a compliance officer, so I ensured people followed specific rules and that the right policies were implemented until I got referred by Glory Odeyemi to join the customer success team. Big thanks to her.

What one word would you use to describe your Klasha experience?

Since Opor is not a word, I’ll go with insightful.

Work-life at Klasha

It’s been insightful. I started as a customer success intern, became an executive, and picked up technical support and product-related responsibilities.

I have had the complete customer experience cycle—handling all issues and complaints as a CS agent, providing technical support, taking notes of pain points, and relating them to the product team, so customer experience constantly improves.

My customer success and operations journey came from my interest and willingness to help people. Product is all about helping people and solving problems, so it was an easy decision and fit. I’ve taken certification courses in product management to expand my knowledge of the concept. I am also still learning from the product people at Klasha. I won’t say I’m an expert because there’s still much to learn on the journey.

My mantra of “Stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready” helps me stay reliable and available to others for help. It helps to be consistent too.

My most significant experience is how far I have come and how Klasha has helped my career progress and guided me through it. I started as an intern, and now I am a product guy. I joined Klasha because one of the perks at Klasha is career progression, and nothing says progression more than a company which helps you achieve your career goals.

As part of the KlashaShop team, can you shed light on the goal of the Klasha app and KlashaShop?

The Klasha mobile app aims to simplify cross-border payments from end to end with the friendliest customer success team always available to help you on the mobile app. For KlashaShop, the idea is to ensure that African shoppers get a seamless shopping experience when shopping internationally from Africa. Users get to shop easily, pay with naira in their Klasha Wallet, and the items will be delivered to their doorstep without worrying about FX rates or customs.

What would you have been doing if you were not a customer success and operations associate?

I’m not sure, but I know it would involve helping people. I might be a YouTuber, podcaster, or something in that line.

What do you do outside work?

I love listening to music (The Weeknd, Post Malone, Joyner Lucas, Davido, Of Lagos), playing NBA 2K, eating fried rice and plantain, and watching Steph Curry. I also enjoy watching videos on YouTube and Netflix.

What would you do if you won a million dollars?

I would buy and eat Asun of N5,000 while I think of how to kick-start a foundation where I can help people and change lives.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

I would be a vampire (for the sake of being immortal and rich) that survives on fried plantain.

Which person at work reminds you of a character in a TV show or movie?

Jess reminds me of Jessica Pearson in the TV show Suits.

Suits fans know Jessica Pearson is the CEO of her law firm. She is kind, powerful, and ambitious, and she fought tooth and nail to ensure the firm stays running, and the employees are as safe as possible. So that’s why Jessica Pearson reminds me of Jessica Anuna. If you’ve not seen Suits, I highly recommend it.

Would you like to work with Klasha?

Klasha is constantly searching for brilliant minds to work with in building the future of commerce for Africa together. We have different roles for various parts of the world and would love to meet you or someone you know who is interested in our mission of seamless cross-border solutions in Africa.

To check the latest openings, follow these steps:

1. Visit Klasha’s career page.

2. Search for a role you love.

3. Apply, and we’ll get back to you.

We look forward to working with you.