Tell us your name, your job title at Dwelo, and what your position entails.
My name is Julie Jeffery. I’m a UX Designer. I work with the product team to identify user experience problems and come up with solutions. I also work closely with the developers who implement the designs.
Before being hired, did Dwelo find you or did you find Dwelo?
Dwelo found me. A friend of mine, Erik Edwards (who’s now Head of Finance at Dwelo), was aware of this new startup called Dwelo. They were looking for people and I was looking for a job. I was intrigued and I was very open at the time to try new things. I’d say that worked out!
“People at Dwelo work hard but also don’t take themselves too seriously. They focus on being flexible and rolling with changes and not on their egos ”
What is the camaraderie like on your team?
The camaraderie is very good on the Product and UX Teams. There’s a lot of collaboration and casual checking in with each other. I think everybody feels supported by each other. We’re all able to make mistakes and not be judged.
How effectively does your team communicate with each other?
We’re really open with each other about our work. We meet often to critique and collaborate on different projects. All that frequent communication leads to a good rapport on our team. It also helps us to stay unified in our products.
What is Dwelo’s culture like?
People at Dwelo work hard but also don’t take themselves too seriously. They focus on being flexible and rolling with changes and not on their egos. I also really like that Dwelo has identified fun as one of our core values. This is an engaged group who work with each other and get that we can’t just be heads down every minute. We need to have fun, be silly sometimes, and share our personalities. It makes work feel like a real, alive part of your life instead of just the day-to-day grind.
What does your team do to socialize and have fun?
Everyone is really open to getting to know each other and sharing their interests. We had a get-to-know-you meeting when a new person joined the Product team where we gave the standard introductions, but then we each had to show something nearby us that we thought was cool or interesting. Jake played his drums and Rich sang and played guitar. Also, during COVID I got into Minecraft and started a shared Dwelo realm. Lately, my favorite thing is playing Wordle with my fellow word nerds.
How has being a part of the Dwelo culture helped you grow as a professional in your field?
When I joined Dwelo I felt like I had a long way to go before I’d be able to provide real value for the team, but people here have shown so much confidence in me. Our value of “growth mindset” goes two ways: our own personal growth and supporting others in their growth. The combination of those two things has allowed me to do things I wasn’t sure I was capable of. My confidence has grown a lot working here.
“People here have shown so much confidence in me. ”
Dwelo has grown a lot in the last couple of years. Why do you think that is?
Dwelo is appealing to customers because of our culture of service. When the technology was new, it eased the risk for new adopters because they could rely on the human element. When I first started at Dwelo, most people I talked to didn’t know what “smart home” meant. Now it’s a fixture of daily life, and people know that you can’t just install it and forget it. Dwelo provides the tech and then keeps it running.
How has Dwelo met your expectations?
My expectations for Dwelo were vague. I had a sense that it would push me to do things that I never had to do before and that I’d have to work hard to keep up. That turned out to be very true. I think when you start somewhere, your expectations are gray and cloudy, but over time the color comes in and those things you couldn’t have seen or expected become your favorite parts.
What words come to your mind that you feel describe Dwelo?
Flexible, collaborative, engaged, and genuine.
Which coworker would you like to sit next to on a 12-hour flight?
A few people come to mind, but I think I’ll go with Rachel Gottlieb. I really like chatting with Rachel, and also she’s someone who isn’t afraid to say what she’s thinking. If she’s done talking, she won’t try to force a conversation. I think that would mesh well with how I like to travel.
What would you say to anyone considering applying at Dwelo?
Don’t get too in your head about expectations. Realize that we’re in flux and we’re growing a lot. If that’s an environment where you thrive, then you’ll love it here. Come willing to have fun, be a little silly, and engage in our Slack conversations. Don’t come expecting to take yourself too seriously. Let your guard down a little bit. It’s about being in the moment and being genuine.