One of the biggest challenges growing businesses face during periods of rapid growth and expansion is remaining true to their startup roots.
And though TrendKite, a digital PR software product company, has seen its staff grow more than threefold in the past three years, the team stresses collaboration and a company culture that continues to evolve as new staff joins the team.
We spoke with three members from different teams on what it’s like to work at TrendKite, how they’ve grown since joining and what’s next for the company.
FOUNDED: 2012
EMPLOYEES: 218, 190 locally
WHAT THEY DO: Through its digital PR software products, TrendKite aims to bridge the gap between brands and media companies, and the impact of their published marketing efforts.
WHERE THEY DO IT: Austin
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM(S) WORK: Team members lead resource groups — diversity and inclusion, health and wellness, philanthropy, and women empowerment in the workplace — to encourage communication between departments.
GROWTH, AND A LOT OF IT: In the past three years, TrendKite has grown more 330 percent and now have offices in Atlanta and London.
BUILDING ON UP: TrendKite's engineering team is disrupting the martech space. Learn more.
Gabe Rodriguez, Senior HR Business Partner
Working closely with leaders throughout the company, Gabe ensures that company goals and objectives are met by planning and implementing strategic people-focused initiatives. He also provides support to employees in areas of career management, development and growth.
BEYOND WORK: Gabe and his wife like spending their free time exploring the new and unique restaurants, shops and hangout spots in Austin — when they’re not hanging out with their four children.
You worked at another Austin startup prior to TrendKite. What led you here?
I worked in most areas of human resources, including recruiting, training, organizational development and strategic business partnering. I previously worked for another high-tech startup in Austin, but TrendKite’s current stage was very attractive to me. I felt the company was in the perfect stage of maturity where my skills and experience could lend the greatest impact — that’s what motivates me.
How have you grown with the company during your time here?
I am still new to TrendKite, but in my role I am fortunate to see, and impact, growth across our company first-hand. I work closely with our leadership team to not only identify our emerging and future leaders, but also to develop those with such great talent who are poised for unbelievable growth within our company. That talent, added to the continual growth of our company, results in a win-win-win for our employees, our company and our customers.
What’s the company culture like at TrendKite?
The culture here is great: dynamic, fun, competitive, and the people are high-performing and ambitious. Weekly company stand-up meetings, in which our CEO provides comprehensive updates to staff, demonstrate open-communication and honesty that most employees crave from an employer.
You immediately feel part of the team on your first day, which is priceless when starting a new role in an unfamiliar place."
What was your first impression of TrendKite, and how has it measured up since?
One of the first things I noticed when I started was the sense of team throughout the company. Relationships here are strong: New people are welcomed warmly and with excitement. You immediately feel part of the team on your first day, which is priceless when starting a new role in an unfamiliar place.
Chas Sheffield, Senior Account Executive
As a senior account executive, Chas works with new customers to see what kind of value TrendKite can add to their business.
BEYOND WORK: When he’s not working within his sales team at the office, you can find Chas playing team sports to keep his competitive and teamwork mentality strong.
Since you’ve been with TrendKite, in what ways have you grown within the company?
I’ve grown within the company by improving my sales process and methodology, learning a new product and industry and becoming better at time management. My manager has helped me grow by sharing their knowledge, by reinforcing what I do well and helping me in areas where I can improve. When I look back on my time at TrendKite, I want to feel that I had an impact on the growth of the company.
What were some of the biggest challenges you experienced coming into a startup?
Scaling the sales team quickly while also maintaining the culture that drew people to come to TrendKite. So, to help maintain this, we still make sure to explore Austin together outside of work and celebrate our wins every day.
When I look back on my time at TrendKite, I want to feel that I had an impact on the growth of the company."
What gets you and your team through a long day at work?
For our team, it’s leaning on each other for support and encouragement. We’re all friends outside of work, so when we’re spending long hours together, it makes the time pass much easier.
Meg Garrett, Senior Director, Enterprise Team
Meg runs the enterprise team, comprised of customer success managers and account managers, and works to ensure that customers are better at what the do because of TrendKite.
BEYOND WORK: Though she has admittingly been lacking recently, Meg enjoys running, especially being outside and pushing herself. She’s even run a handful of marathons.
How have you grown at TrendKite, and how has your manager helped encourage that?
I’m continually humbled by the level of talent, both on our management team and on my own enterprise team. It pushes me to up my game and to continue trying to be the best team player and leader I can be.
My manager has empowered me to run the team taking care of our largest customers — that’s a lot of trust. I don’t take that lightly, and that drives me to always do my best for our team and for our customers.
I’m continually humbled by the level of talent, both on our management team and on my own enterprise team. It pushes me to up my game and to continue trying to be the best team player and leader I can be."
You’ve studied improv comedy for several years. How has that helped your sales career?
Improv has been one of the greatest things I’ve done in my life. If you can get out of your head and just “follow the fear,” as they say in the improv world, you reap immeasurable benefits. For example, if I can jump on stage with no idea about what I’m going to say, there’s no reason why I should be intimidated by a client meeting or speaking engagement when it’s about content I know. It’s such an empowering exercise.
What was your biggest fear when you started at TrendKite?
I guess it’s cliche to say failure, but isn’t that often a thing? To avoid that, I think you just surround yourself with people you trust and never, ever be afraid of asking for help. There are so many resources around you, so use them. And trust in your gut, as you often know the right answer or direction.
