The Hard Part with Evan McCann Wayne Pommen from Affirm
May 26, 2025
Wayne Pommen, Chief Revenue Officer at Affirm and former CEO of PayBright, shares insights into the evolution of buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) solutions. He discusses the transformative impact of BNPL on consumer behavior and how Affirm is reshaping purchasing practices through strategic partnerships with giants like Amazon and Shopify. Wayne reflects on his leadership journey and the importance of moral integrity in consumer finance. He emphasizes the need for continuous learning and thinking bigger as entrepreneurs navigate the growing fintech landscape.
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Wayne's CEO Start at PayBright
- Wayne Pommen became CEO of PayBright by partnering with shareholders and spinning out a small point-of-sale lending business.
- He joined as the sixth employee and helped grow the company like a startup from an early stage.
Catching the Market Wave
- Timing and market trends are crucial for startup success, catching the right wave can drive rapid growth.
- PayBright entered e-commerce installments as the industry was expanding globally, benefiting from merchant interest and momentum.
PayBright's COVID and Affirm Acquisition
- In 2020, COVID initially caused fear for PayBright, but e-commerce surged and they saw rapid growth.
- Affirm acquired PayBright in late 2020, aligning well culturally and strategically, just before Affirm's IPO.