At a time when qualified women were quietly exiting the workforce for various personal reasons, the idea for ReMAtics began as a conversation between two friends. Working remotely in 2013, a rarity at the time, Amani Iqbal often found herself approached by qualified women seeking flexible, part-time opportunities that did not yet exist. “I think there’s an opportunity here,” she would say, planting the seed of an idea she and Mangalee Goonetilleke would revisit time and again.
Years later, in July 2020, Mangalee stepped away from her full-time corporate role, creating the space for the idea to finally take shape. In November 2020, amid a global shift in work culture, the two co-founders launched ReMAtics: a company built to connect both local and global clients with skilled professionals through a flexible, remote model, specialising in financial and macro research, financial modelling, and written content.
You officially launched in November 2020. What made that the right moment to take the leap from idea to reality?
With the advent of COVID-19, and the rise in the acceptance of remote working globally, we thought the time was right to start. We knew we could take advantage of the work conditions at the time.
Given your background in equity research, how did you decide to focus your services on financial research, modelling, and writing?
This had been our speciality for over 15 years, so we decided that this would be the best place to start. Since there are plenty of remote accounting and book-keeping companies, we wanted to find a niche that catered to SME clients who perhaps cannot afford the larger, traditional firms for their research or business forecasting/ valuation requirements.
Can you elaborate on how your operational model works and the role you both play in managing client projects?
While we work with freelancers, we are not a freelance platform per se. Our offering is more unique and personalised. When a client approaches us, we put a team together, depending on the resources and skills required for the project. One of us takes a hands-on approach for each project, guiding the team and ensuring deliverables meet all client requirements.
As a result, the client does not have to worry about project oversight. Through us, they get access to a set of skilled professionals and are guaranteed a high-quality output. In terms of managing projects, given where we are located, Mangalee handles most of the Sri Lankan clients, while Amani handles most of the overseas clients.
In terms of our personalities and specific skillsets, we complement each other very well, and our 15+ year friendship solidifies our trust and faith in each other.
How do you select and evaluate talent based on a freelancer base that grows organically?
We look for freelancers who have writing and finance-based experience, but most of all those with an excellent work ethic, commitment and a willingness to learn. We strongly believe skills can be taught, but the right attitude and work ethic are hard to find, especially with inherent traits
like honesty, integrity and trustworthiness, which are critical to our work. Much of what we do has strict confidentiality requirements.
Most of our colleagues were brought to our attention through personal recommendations or were known to us through our own careers. Those who reach out via our website or other means are evaluated to determine how they could fit in.
We currently have a capable team that consistently delivers work to specifications—some of whom have been with us since the beginning. We are very thankful to them for continuing to work with us, being available when the work comes in, and doing their work ethically and professionally.
What do you look forward to most about expanding into financial coaching for startups and the Middle East market?
Many startup owners lack financial literacy, and understanding their numbers would help immensely in developing a sound pitch for investors. They have brilliant business ideas, but if they can’t explain their numbers with confidence and logic, it might hinder their ability to raise the funds they need. Further, the Middle East market is booming with startup activity right now, so there is immense potential there.
It also gives us a great opportunity to meet new people, learn how they are managing their startups, learn about new businesses, and create connections and friendships. There is always something new to learn when you meet people from different disciplines.
You’ve described your model as self-sustaining and intentionally small. How do you define success as you move forward without aiming to scale like a typical startup?
We strongly believe in remaining a boutique service provider and are not looking at a typical exponential growth trajectory. We are passionate about offering customised services with our personal touch to customers. Success is about branding ourselves as the go-to company for SMEs, in all our service categories, including financial modelling, company and sector research, developing pitch decks, financial coaching, and content writing.
It was equally important to create opportunities for skilled professionals, particularly women who had left the corporate world for personal or practical reasons. This was the starting point for ReMAtics—a belief in their skills and the value they bring. Even though we are a small team, creating these opportunities also plays a key role in our success.