In this inspiring episode of the Payne Points of Wealth, Ryan sits down with Jimmy Chen—founder and CEO of Propel, the groundbreaking fintech company modernizing America’s social safety net and serving millions of low‑income families each month.
Jimmy shares his remarkable journey from arriving in Kansas City as a four‑year‑old immigrant from China with parents who had just $200, to becoming a Stanford graduate, early product manager at LinkedIn and Facebook, and ultimately the creator of one of the most impactful social‑good tech companies in the country.
You’ll hear:
- How Jimmy’s childhood shaped his relationship with money, scarcity, and grit—including his early “entrepreneurial” idea to sell his toys to avoid being a burden on his family
- His realization that Silicon Valley was building tech for people like themselves, not for the millions relying on programs like SNAP.
- The company’s 11‑year journey—from 60 investor rejections and a $12,000 Kickstarter, to raise $90 million from top VCs and investors like Serena Williams and Kevin Durant.
- Why Jimmy hires self-reliance, resilience, and at least one successful —not pedigree.
- The massive role AI now plays in Propel’s product, customer support, and internal operations.
- What he believes the future of education, work, and technology will look like in an AI‑driven world.
Jimmy also opens up about the “chip on his shoulder” to succeed, his father’s work ethic, why frugality helped and hindered him, and the music that shaped him as a kid, navigating life in a new culture.
This is a powerful story of ambition and purpose—proof that game‑changing ideas don’t just come from Silicon Valley, but from childhood uncertainty and a deep commitment to help those less fortunate in our country.
Tune in for a conversation that’s heartfelt, eye‑opening, and packed with wisdom for entrepreneurs, parents, and anyone navigating big decisions about money, purpose, and impact
