Meet Joel! His love for technology and tinkering propelled him into a career across many different industries, until he found a home in exceptional home services. But just ask Joel, O2E Brands isn’t only about making the ordinary services of junk removal, painting, and home detailing exceptional; it’s also all about people! We caught up with Joel to see the career moves he’s made since first joining us.
O2E: So Joel, what role did you initially start in at O2E, and what did that entail?
JD: I started as a contractor during a large Salesforce project; I was brought in to service the interest of business intelligence, and I was part of creating the scripts and mapping for migration. The team and I did 6 months' worth of dry runs altogether! I was happy when my contract was extended, and even happier when I was offered a permanent full-time position. I enjoyed working with the team so much, and I already knew the system, so I think it was a win-win!
O2E: How would you describe the dynamic you had with your fellow team members and with your manager?
JD: It was an incredibly positive work environment right from the start. I felt very supported, especially when I first started. The team generously shared their knowledge of system information, which really helped me get caught up and be an effective player on the team. There was a real sense of togetherness I felt included in instantly.
O2E: You’ve made a career move! What is your new role and department?
JD: I’m still on the Business Technology team, but my new role is Team Lead of Data Engineering.
O2E: Did you have any formal education or previous experience prior to O2E before moving into the role you’re in now?
JD: I’ve been in the industry for a little over 20 years now. I have a technical diploma in computer systems technology and am certified in a lot of different languages. My background includes a lot of different industries, from the golf industry to the automotive industry serving as a senior developer and scrum master.
O2E: How has the transition been, and what kind of support have you received? Is there anyone you’ve worked with along the way that has given you mentorship?
JD: For sure! The transition has been great since moving into my new position. It was a big change but once my team and I found our cadence. I’ve actually worked with Michael Ferrett (Director, Business Intelligence) before, and he was actually the one who recommended O2E Brands as a great place to work. It was a perfect sequence of events. Like many others in my industry, I was affected by the large wave of layoffs that happened at the beginning of the pandemic. Mike reached out to me about the available contract position here, which eventually turned into my permanent full-time role. Even back then, Mike always offered valuable advice on management, and smart decision-making, and has continued to be supportive all while being the Director of Business Intelligence.
O2E: Is there anything you find unique about O2E Brands that makes you enjoy your work here?
JD: What sticks out the most is the culture the company’s built. I have a lot of
experience and have been in organizations where the culture wasn’t great, which can make the work experience more stressful and leave you feeling unvalued. Here at O2E, you know your voice is being heard and there’s a lot of respect for team members, so you’re confident that if you were to voice a concern that it would be listened to and addressed in a timely manner. It seems simple but it’s not something that exists everywhere, so I’m happy having that here.
O2E: How do you feel about your future here at O2E? Can you continue to grow here? Where do you see yourself in the next 2-3 years?
JD: I can definitely see myself still with the company, hopefully! You have a lot of say in where you want your career path to go here, and O2E offers so many different avenues you can choose. I have a lot of conversations with my leaders about where I want to land next and am always met with encouragement. I’ll absolutely still be working in technology. I don’t think I can let go of it! I love tinkering and fixing things, and can see myself moving into more of a leadership role within my same department.
O2E: If you could go back in time and give your past self career advice with what you know now, what would you say?
JD: I really like this question! I would say “Hey 20-year-old Joel, I want you to know 
that while technical skills are important, the field you’ve chosen is constantly evolving. It’s crucial to never stop learning and growing. Don’t become complacent just because you’re comfortable with what you know. Start developing your organizational skills early on, as those will be invaluable to you in your career. Take time to build genuine relationships with your colleagues; they’ll prove to be valuable friendships and connections for life. Most importantly, know your worth. If you ever feel undervalued in your position don’t hesitate to seek new opportunities where you’ll be appreciated. Your career is a journey and I hope you enjoy every step of it!”