The Wild, Wonderful World of MM’s Engineering Team
October 15, 2016 | Filed in: Humans of MM
Here at MM, the engineering team is everywhere at once, testing new features, building new tools, and patiently attending to questions about the printer. They’re the nine-tentacled octopus that keeps this place humming, and we love them for it—particularly since most of us have no idea how they work their wizardry.
“Our engineering team is unique because we’re building an e-commerce business, which is one of the oldest ways to use the internet, but we’re trying to do it in the most modern way,” says Eric Frank, MM’s engineering manager. “We are straddling the world of the old and the new.”
Eric was employee #2 on the engineering team, and has worked closely with Adam Weinstock, MM’s senior director of engineering, to foster a culture that prizes innovation and human connection. “When someone at the company has a request, it takes a unique engineer to grasp the business and psychological concern of what’s needed, and then translate the request into code,” Eric says. “There’s a big social aspect to engineering. People will often ask for something specific, like, ‘Can you add a button on this page?’ But you need to have a conversation with them to figure out what they actually want, and what their goal is, and the simplest way to get there.”
It’s no surprise that the team also believes in a long leash for out-of-the-box thinking. “We’re doing a very creative job, and it’s important that we have flexibility. Your mind doesn’t always work from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day and then stop. Your mind works when it works, and it’s important to acknowledge that. Respecting people’s time and personal process is very important to me,” Eric says. “All I care about is that we’re getting our work done and that it’s good quality.”
Sounds like a dream team, right? Well, we’re hiring! Check out our openings, here, and meet some members of the team, below. Who wouldn’t want to spend their days with this good-lookin’ bunch?
Hannah Murray, Front End Engineer
Hannah Murray, front end engineer, in the Huston blouse.
Background: I studied computer science in college. During my senior year, I learned about web development, and knew I found my career path. When I graduated in 2013, I moved up to New York to work at Time Inc., where I helped create e-commerce portals for their brands. But I wanted something more creatively challenging, so I took a new job at a small digital agency in Tribeca. Our clients ranged from fashion and lifestyle to media and tech. I found I thrived most on the e-commerce websites we built for our fashion clients, so when I learned more about MM.LaFleur, I knew it was the perfect opportunity.
What I love about my job: I focus primarily on our website and the user experience, whether it’s creating new features or improving any existing functionality. I love this job because I get to really make a difference here. It’s a great time to be on the engineering team, as we have so much potential for growth and improving the day-to-day of other MM employees. [Editor’s note: Hannah recently gave the M Dash a much-needed makeover, and it looks gorgeous. Other fun fact—Hannah has magically long eyelashes.]
Luke Evers, Engineer
Luke Evers, engineer.
Background: Prior to this job, I worked at a branding and marketing agency that specialized in high-end real estate in Manhattan. We got to brand the Woolworth building, which a) you can see from MM’s office if you look down Broadway, and b) is my favorite building in the city. It was fun for the first six months, but there was a lot of turnover; we were all overworked and underpaid, and there wasn’t much transparency or room for growth. When I first found out about MM.LaFleur, I was very intimidated by how beautiful the website and clothing were. But I came in and met with the team, and I knew right away that this was where I wanted to be. On my way out, I peeked into the showroom and and sneaked a picture (I still have it!) so I could send it to my now-wife, who very much approved.
What I love about my job: Where do I begin? Every day that I come into the office, I’m greeted with a warm, welcoming “Good morning” from everyone on the team—even from new people that I don’t know yet. The company has more than doubled in size since I joined, but it still feels like a family. I love working here because it doesn’t feel like work, and everyone will always take the next step to do more than what’s expected. I love the transparency of everything; nothing is a secret. I love our team meetings, even when the conference room was way too small for all of us to fit. I love that my opinion matters, and everyone will talk to anyone because nothing is above us and nothing is below us.
Eric Frank, Senior Managing Engineer
Eric, senior managing engineer.
Background: I was working at a tech startup in San Francisco when Narie Foster, MM’s COO, got in touch with me through a former co-worker. I started doing some projects for MM on the side, as an independent contractor. Then the company I was working for got bought by a larger corporation, so I decided to jump ship, come on full-time at MM, and move to New York.
What I love about my job: MM is a rare bird. It’s a fashion company without the hierarchy and huge egos. It’s a tech company without the Silicon Valley monoculture. The founders have taken the best of fashion—the creative focus, the uncompromising design culture—and blended in the best of tech: the data-assisted decision making, the modern office setup, and the startup scrappiness. I love working at MM because it satisfies my need to collaborate with brilliant, friendly people, while also satisfying my need to explore and be creative in every aspect of our business.
