“Alberta boy, through and through,” Motola Omobamiduro, known as Mo to his friends, founded Plastk Financial & Rewards with a vision. He noticed that those who struggled with their finances or getting access to a credit card, all had one thing in common- they were all being judged based upon past mistakes or circumstances out of their control. He noticed that the best and most exclusive credit cards often offered perks like premium rewards, travel points or cash back programs that faltered in comparison to cards used by the mass public. Mo felt as though accessible and premium credit cards shouldn't be reserved for those with perfect credit scores, and so Plastk was born.
The Plastk principle is simple: giving access to credit, regardless of credit history, supplying
consumers with credit education, providing access to your monthly credit score and premium rewards. While Plastk’s vision may seem simple, the organization's origin has a rich history.
Before Plastk was born, Motola owned a used car dealership in his hometown of Calgary. While he loved this role, he noticed that many customers trying to get financing for their dream cars often failed to get access to credit or had no credit history.
But Plastk is more than just a company. In his personal and work life, Mo strives to use a family first approach. The light of his life, daughter Aria, inspires him every day. Like his approach to managing his company, Mo is inspired by uplifting his daughter to be the best she can be. Her love for life and eagerness to learn, pushes him to be more introspective and excited about the world around him. When he thinks about Plastk, he doesn’t just think of the company as a manifestation of his goals. His employees and customers are his family.
Plastk’s origin hits close to home for Mo. While in university, he got his first credit card. Like many new credit users, he didn’t really understand how a credit card worked. “
"My first credit card had a limit of 1,000, I spent it but never paid it.” Mo never thought too much about this, until years later, when he realized his credit score was in the 500s and he began trying to figure out how he could do better.
After getting his own secured credit card, he began to slowly but methodically repay his debt and rebuild his credit. He realized that secured credit cards aren’t just for those with compromised credit and shouldn't be looked at in a negative light. There are countless positive aspects to using a secured credit card.
They can be a safety net for those who may lose their jobs, make financial mistakes or just need help building their credit. However, he noticed that many of the secured credit card companies that existed didn’t give much back to their customers. Many of the most exclusive and best credit card companies offered premium perks, but these cards were only available to the top 1% of credit users. However, Plastk offers the premium, but has few requirements for who can qualify. “It’s a huge industry that I believe Plastk is covering incredibly well.”
“Plastk’s services are integral to the Canadian economy and ecosystem.”
Mo explains how the company offers a bridge between who you currently are and who you want to be. Another lesson he encourages his amazing team to strive to achieve every day. Plastk is positioned exceptionally well in the Canadian market as they offer unique credit services, as well as education and aspirational attitudes towards credit.
However, for Mo, it all comes back to family. The passions he has for his company all go
back to wanting to encourage his daughter to be the best she can be. “As a woman and visible minority, I want to give her a platform that she can launch whatever dreams, hopes and aspirations she has, as she grows up.” He notes that he loves that he has been able to build his company, not just for himself but for everyone who works with him.
“We’re the first minority owned credit card company in Canada that really offers customers true, real credit. With a staff of tremendous women and men of all persuasion, that come in every day and really work well.”
Plastk’s team is primarily made up of visible minorities, which is a first for the Canadian credit landscape. “Plastk is a vehicle of success, not only for our team, but for our clients and customers.” Mo is passionate about encouraging everyone who experiences the Plastk advantage to strive for success. Noting that Plastk is more than a company, it is a family who wants nothing more than success for the internal and external affairs of the company.
15 years from now, Mo envisions Plastk as being a household name. Not just for the financial metrics that come along with this, but for the trust that will be associated with the Plastk name. He wants to promote credibility and success that consumers can achieve, after signing up. “In 15 years, I hope I’ll be walking down the street and run into one of our original customers, who has been with us since we started,” he hopes that they’ll tell him how much they believed in his vision. The Plastk lifestyle is very aspirational. Motola and ‘his family’ want to promote endless success and financial wellbeing for all their members.
“I’m not overly spiritual but I’m definitely spiritual and I believe that I’ve been guided in so many different ways, by Jesus.” He explains how he's built his company in a way that will stand the test of time, and “have been blessed by everyone that has come Plastk’s way.” Simple actions like talking to his marketing or web development team, shows him the spirit and drive that exists within the company. Growing up in Alberta, Mo saw the Canadian spirit and drive, everywhere. From the height of the stampede, to everyday interactions, Plastk “represents the Canadian Spirit.”
Mo wants his network to know that, “Plastk is a labor of love."
There are so many terrific
things that will come out of this business, not only for us but our clients. We come in everyday to really find better ways to get more customers but to serve them better. Credit and your credit card isn't always going to be the most important thing in your life. But it will help you achieve so many important milestones in your life. When I think about myself or other visible minorities, it’s important that we create our own wealth, our own opportunities, and we manifest our own ability to grow. Growing in our society requires planning for your future. Plastk is a pathway to achieve this. It also requires a type of family dynamic, where you see more than your situation and how you’re going to get a new future. That’s what Plastk is. We’re small, that doesn’t discount the amazing work we do.”
They’re not going to see us coming.
