Every month, we like to shine the spotlight on our team members who make the biggest difference for our subscribers. This month, we interviewed Geri Freeman, an ecommerce implementation specialist and one of the newest members of our team! Learn more about Geri, an integral part of team Liftoff, in this Q&A-style interview!
Liftoff: Geri, tell us your story! Where did your career begin, and how did it bring you to Liftoff?
Geri: My first taste of coding came in the late 90s when I needed to find a unique way to present a biology project. Naturally, I chose the coolest medium of the time, the Internet, and taught myself how to code so I could present a website as my project.
Three years later, I found myself homeless at 17. I was pretty much off-the-grid for the next 10 years, a stark contrast to anything tech-related. I couch-hopped through college, hitchhiked through every state, and wandered through some of the most remote parts of the country. The term "chronic homelessness" doesn't fully capture the experience, but financially, I constantly found myself treading water and struggling to stay on my feet.
In 2011, after some life-changing experiences, I had an epiphany. Coding: the great equalizer! I knew I could make something of myself in this field, especially with the rise of the gig economy and remote working. All those boxes I couldn’t check suddenly became moot points. So I got my hands on a laptop, relearned HTML, caught up on a decade's worth of technological advancements (man, what a time to be off the grid), and started hustling. Websites, posters, data entry, social media graphics, transcription, video editing, blog articles - you name it, I did it.
Over the next 12 years, I gained experience in every aspect of digital marketing. I eventually found myself working on some major projects at some top digital marketing agencies. Despite occasional imposter syndrome, I'm extremely proud of what I've accomplished so far, including my role as a PPC specialist, launching an international brand, and successfully building, marketing, and operating a website that generated over 100k per month.
Getting hired at Liftoff around six months ago was incredibly validating. The interview process was no joke; it heavily focused on real-world skills and put me to the test (literally). Being chosen from such a large pool of talented applicants (thanks, COVID) and having professional developers recognize my skills were fit for such a demanding job was humbling. On top of that, discovering the incredible team at Liftoff and experiencing their inclusive, supportive, and growth-oriented environment was like the cherry on top. I'm absolutely thrilled to be part of such a talented team, and I can't wait to continue developing my skills here.
Liftoff: What’s your role here? What do you like most about your job?
Geri: As an Ecommerce Implementation Specialist, I focus on the front end of the shops here on Liftoff. My responsibilities include account setup, inventory management, managing content, and custom coding to enhance the user experience. It's an exciting role that allows me to explore the versatile capabilities of the Liftoff platform.
I enjoy the combination of technical skills, creativity, and problem-solving in my role at Liftoff. It's a dynamic environment that encourages continuous improvement and provides ample opportunities to think outside the box.
Liftoff: Do you have a favorite feature of our platform?
Geri: My favorite feature of the platform is Records. It's a powerful way to make a large amount of data easily accessible to our users. With Records, you can organize and manage data, tailored to specific needs. It streamlines data management and enhances the user experience, making it easier to retrieve and utilize information.
Liftoff: Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that may inspire others.
Geri: In 2011, I went for a walk that turned into a figure 8 around the entire country. It was during this epic year-long hike that I made what was arguably the most pivotal decision of my life: I used up every dollar to my name to buy a laptop. I don’t know if it’s “inspiring” or just crazy but if you believe in it, it’s probably worth going broke over.
Liftoff: What makes you happy, Geri?
Geri: I have three beautiful girls, who are 9, 3, and a 3-month-old baby, that keep me on my toes. But I still absolutely love traveling and spending time outdoors. Once I discovered the freedom of remote working, I never looked back because it allows me to satisfy my wanderlust and be with my babies. The fact that Liftoff is so supportive of its employees’ work/life balance, not just “on paper” but in practice, has been really meaningful to me.
Liftoff: Do you have any parting thoughts you would like to share?
Geri: “Put your gold money where your love is, baby, before you let my deal go down.” <3