What’s the most exciting part of your role at Gruve, and how does it challenge you?

The most exciting part is shaping pieces of our product that really matter. I love that mix of design, architecture, and performance, it keeps me on my toes. Some days I’m mentoring teammates, other days I’m making decisions that will affect how we build for years to come. The tough part? We’re a startup, so it’s always a balance between building for the future and moving fast enough to meet today’s goals. It’s a challenge, but also what makes it fun.

What kind of impact do you feel your work makes, on Gruve, on customers, or even on society?

When something I’ve built helps keep the platform stable and fast, I know it’s not just “code working” it’s customers having smoother days, fewer glitches, and more trust in what we deliver. That ripple effect motivates me. On a bigger scale, if we’re raising the bar for reliability and scalability, we’re nudging the whole industry forward a little. That feels good.

What do you enjoy most about working with your team?

The people, hands down. We’ve got a no-ego vibe where it’s safe to speak up, make mistakes, and still have each other’s backs. We debate hard, but it’s always respectful. I love that everyone brings their own perspective and it makes solutions far more creative. And honestly, it just feels good to work in a place where you trust the folks next to you.

What’s a project you’re especially proud of, and why?

There’s one project where I stepped away from the “usual way” of doing AI search and tried something different. Instead of patching problems, I focused on building a flexible foundation that could grow with us. It wasn’t easy, but knowing this work means Gruve can add features faster in the future, that’s something I’m proud of. It’s exciting to know your work shapes not just today, but tomorrow.

How would you describe Gruve’s culture in three words?

Innovative. Supportive. Agile.

How do you usually start your day at work any rituals, routines, or habits?

Most mornings kick off with standups and a quick round of client calls. I try to carve out “deep work” time right after, before the day gets noisy. I’ll review a few PRs, pair with a teammate, and usually sneak in 5–10 minutes to skim a blog or doc. That little habit keeps me learning and sets the tone for the day.

What’s something new you’ve learned here that you didn’t expect to?

I didn’t expect to learn so much about the business side of things. I’ve always thought like an engineer, but here I’ve had to consider customer needs, tradeoffs, and how technical debt can slow down business velocity. It’s given me a bigger-picture view, beyond just writing good code.

What do you find most rewarding about your role at Gruve?

There’s nothing like seeing something you’ve built go live and actually help people. That moment when users interact with it and share feedback, it hits different. I also really enjoy mentoring. Watching teammates grow in confidence and skill is rewarding in a way code alone can’t be.

If someone is considering a role at Gruve, what’s one piece of advice you’d give them?

Be curious. Don’t wait for everything to be laid out ask questions, try things, and pitch your ideas. The scope here is wide open, and if you lean into it, you’ll have a real impact. Gruve is a place for people who like to learn and build, not just follow instructions.

Outside of work, what keeps you inspired or helps you recharge?

Cooking helps me reset, it’s creative in a different way. Long drives clear my head. I also make a point to take short breaks during the day; even five minutes of silence helps. Outside work, I tinker with side projects, read up on trends, and, of course, spend time with family and friends. That balance is what keeps me going.