In this fourth essay of the series, we turn our attention to Isabella Mandis, a Harvard undergraduate and proud Être Girl, who is carving out her own path in the world of venture capital. Mandis, with her eye on a future in VC, founded “Girls Into VC,” a group dedicated to empowering young women in the space. Être Girls is a mentorship program that connects young women with accomplished professionals, allowing them to learn from and be inspired by those who have already blazed trails in their chosen fields.
As part of her journey, Mandis had the opportunity to interview Martina Welkhoff, a venture capitalist and seasoned poker player. In their conversation, they explored how Welkhoff’s deep dive into poker profoundly influenced her career. Following the interview, Mandis penned a thoughtful essay detailing the surprising and powerful ways in which poker has shaped Welkhoff’s professional trajectory, demonstrating how the game’s strategic thinking and decision-making skills have translated into her success in venture capital.
Welkhoff’s introduction to poker began at the age of 15, but it wasn’t until she connected with Jenny Just and started playing with the women at Poker Power that she recognised the broader implications of the game in the business world. She mentioned that playing poker allows one to quickly gauge how others negotiate, an instrumental skill in building relationships and crafting deals. “You get such an interesting microcosm at a poker table… It helps to sort of fast-track certain relationships,” she explained. Such insights are crucial for anyone in venture capital, where strong negotiation skills often determine success.
Guiding Mandis, Welkhoff highlighted the critical skills that poker has instilled in her, including patience, strategic negotiation, and disciplined decision-making. These attributes have played a pivotal role in her success as a venture capitalist. The importance of knowing when to fold—both in poker and in life—resonated particularly with Mandis. Welkhoff explained how this principle has recalibrated her approach to both gaming and her career, noting, “The biggest one
for me is really learning to fold and be disciplined about that.” This lesson in restraint is especially relevant in the high-stakes world of venture capital, where stepping back and reassessing a situation can prove to be game-changing.
Additionally, Mandis found Welkhoff’s perspective particularly enlightening as she described how poker serves as a laboratory for testing strategies. Welkhoff explained how the game provides a space to experiment with different approaches, allowing her to refine her business tactics in the process. “Poker has given me a kind of fun laboratory to just test…,” she remarked, emphasizing the importance of adaptability—an essential skill in the ever-evolving world of venture capital.
Welkhoff’s insights had a profound impact on Mandis, especially her emphasis on patience and disciplined decision-making. As Mandis navigates her own path in venture capital, she recognises the immense value of these skills. The parallels between poker and business are striking; both require a keen sense of risk assessment as well as the ability to read people and situations. The lessons of maintaining balanced dynamics and managing diverse groups align perfectly with Mandis’ goals to promote diversity in venture capital through Girls Into VC. She is eager to incorporate these poker-derived skills into her own approach, enhancing her strategic thinking and contributing to a more inclusive environment within the Industry.
The skills honed at the poker table—patience, negotiation, and strategic thinking—extend far beyond the game, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to excel in venture capital. As Être Girls continue their journeys, they weave these lessons into their own paths, championing strength in diversity and strategic excellence along the way.
