From festivals to fintech: How Tim Lutjens charted his path to Product Management at Mollie

"Four years ago, I was working at festivals and managing events. If you’d told me then that I’d become a Product Manager at Mollie, I’d have thought you were crazy!" 

Careers rarely follow a straight path, and growth can take many forms - whether it's mastering a craft, exploring new directions, or making bold, unexpected shifts. At Mollie, we embrace and support every step of the journey.

Meet Tim Lutjens, who made a dynamic career shift - from managing events to leading product solutions - and discover the invaluable lessons he’s learned along the way

Name: Tim Lutjens, Associate Product Manager
Joined Mollie: May, 2021
Roles: Customer Support Specialist, KYC “Know Your Customer” Agent, Partner Support Specialist, Partner Success Associate, Associate Product Manager

Tell us your Mollie story. How did your journey begin?

It’s been an unexpected adventure! My background is in hotel and event management. After my studies, I became an Event Manager, working at festivals and events. Then the pandemic hit, and festivals were no longer an option. That forced me to pivot.

After a few interim jobs, I heard about Mollie through a friend. Online payments were booming, and Mollie was growing fast. I applied for a Customer Support Specialist role in Amsterdam and got it!

A year later, Mollie opened its Maastricht office, and my role in Amsterdam came to an end. I had a choice: relocate or explore something new at Mollie. By then, I’d done a temporary stint in KYC and Partner Support, which gave me a taste of other opportunities. That’s when I transitioned to the Commerce department as a Partner Support Specialist.

From there, I kept expanding my role and became part of the Partner Programs team. Now, I’m in Product, solving problems for our Partners, a role I’m really excited about because I can tackle issues I’ve seen firsthand over the past two years.

Your journey isn’t exactly linear! What motivated you to take on different roles at Mollie?

Coming from a hospitality background, managing relationships has always been a central part of what I do. Whether in Customer Support, Account Management, or any other role, the core remains the same: understanding people, solving problems, and building trust.

When I started in Customer Support, I saw it as an opportunity to gain a deep understanding of Mollie’s product. That foundational knowledge was invaluable, but I soon craved more complexity and wanted to tackle bigger challenges. This curiosity and love for problem-solving naturally led me to explore other departments, such as Account Management, where I could combine my expertise with a focus on client relationships.

Each step in my journey has been about applying the same principles; managing relationships and solving problems, in new and exciting ways.

People seem to be at the heart of your journey. How has that shaped your success?

Absolutely. I’m a people person through and through. I love bringing teams together to get things done and solve real problems.

This mindset has been a huge factor in my success. I embrace challenges, stay curious, and constantly look for opportunities to learn. Growth comes from helping others succeed, and that’s what keeps me going.

Who has supported you in your career growth at Mollie?

My managers at Mollie have always let me do my own thing and find my own path, while pushing me to be the best version of myself. I’m grateful for the opportunity they have given me to grow into my current role. If you want something, you have to go for it yourself, it doesn’t work to wait around for something to be handed or offered to you. Work hard, be determined, and you'll get it, it will come to you. This is what has worked for me.

What’s been the highlight of your career journey so far?

In 2024, I received Mollie’s “Customer Obsession” award at Mollieverse (our all-company event). What makes it so special is that it’s an award voted on by peers. Hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s incredible to have your work recognized by your colleagues. It’s a moment that meant a lot to me. 

I’m sure there’s been some obstacles too! What’s been your biggest hurdle, and how did you tackle it?

Transitioning to Fintech without prior experience was a steep learning curve. When I joined Mollie, everything was new to me, from the desk job environment to the Fintech jargon.

Working remotely during Covid made it even tougher. I thrive in social settings, so adapting to a virtual environment was a challenge. But I embraced it as an opportunity to learn. I dove headfirst into understanding terms like PSPs (Payment Service Providers) and immersed myself in the world of online payments. That mindset really paid off.

Do you have a career plan or certain ambitions of where you want to go?

I don't really have a career plan. I'll see where life takes me. What’s most important is enjoying my work, being around people who inspire me, and feeling that I’m making a difference through what I do.

What’s next for you?

Who knows? The sky is the limit!

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to follow a similar career path?

Stay curious and open-minded. Talk to people and explore opportunities. Your career doesn’t have to follow a straight line, I’ve worked across three different domains at Mollie: Operations, Commerce, and Product.

Take a chance on something you didn’t know you’d enjoy. Four years ago, I was working at festivals and managing events. If you’d told me then that I’d become a Product Manager at Mollie, I’d have thought you were crazy! But here I am, loving every moment of the ride. 

Thank you, Tim, for sharing your story! 🙏