We're back with another edition of "20 Questions with...", your chance to get to know Team Karshare in intimate detail, find out their hopes and dreams and learn more about what makes this company so special.
Today's spotlight is on Sam Howard, our Engineer & Cloud Architect. Find out more about what makes him tick below.
1. How would you describe what you do for a living to family and friends?
I build things and solve problems using technology.
2. What’s one professional skill you’re currently working on?
I am learning about what it takes to build a tech startup such as Lean Startup Methodology, fundraising, product development process and how to pitch.
3. What’s the farthest you’ve ever been from home?
Last year I went snow-kiting in Haugastøl, Norway. It seemed like a different planet with white nothingness in every direction.
"Travelling across Oslo with all our snow-kiting equipment... by scooter!"
4. How do you prefer to start your day?
A few times, when the conditions are right, I have managed to drive to the beach for an hour of surfing before starting work – it's an amazingly refreshing way to start the day. We don't get many waves and I am a night owl, so it doesn't happen very often.
5. How do you prefer to end your day?
I find it very satisfying to finish the day having fully completed a piece of work... then top it off with a freshly brewed beer!
6. What was your first job?
When I was 15, I created a shop on eBay. I used to have to call suppliers whilst I was at school thinking I was being very professional at the time. In hindsight, I'm sure they saw right through me!
7. What’s your go-to productivity trick?
Clearing my desk, turning off email notifications, messages or any other distractions and getting "stuck in".
8. What are your pet peeves?
People that talk instead of listening. Also a random foodie thing: when people scrape knives on chopping boards.
9. What’s the coolest or most interesting thing you’re working on right now?
I am building a gif-based party game with a few friends - check it out at gifslap.tv
10. If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be?
I really want to learn to fly – it is beautiful being up in the clouds.
11. If you had to listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Probably this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
12. What’s your most used emoji?
The raised hands emoji 🙌, though I probably have my fair share of eggplant emojis too.
13. If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, which would you pick?
Spotify, GIF Slap! and Karshare – because that's the future. 😉
14. Where are you in birth order and do you think it affects your personality?
I have one younger brother, we are very close. I am very laid back and easy going – maybe that's related??
15. What trend do you hope makes a comeback?
Flip-up shades.
16. What’s been the most challenging part of your role at Karshare?
There are so many great ideas that fly around the business and everyone wants to see their ideas come to fruition. The real challenge is choosing which to implement, how simple to keep it. Perfection can be the enemy of progress.
17. What’s your favourite famous or inspirational quote?
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." If you want to change things do something differently!
I also like "Ideas are commodities, execution of them is not"... it's all about the execution, having a good idea alone is not enough to succeed.
18. What’s your best memory of working at Karshare?
The first time I drove my car using our app when testing our keyless technology – I was buzzing and quite relieved when I got back as I didn't bring the real keys with me! I used to enjoy us all getting around a whiteboard to solve problems together in the early days of the project. I am looking forward to being able to meet colleagues again in person.
19. What’s something that you’re really good at?
Solving problems! I also try to make sure I am better at solving problems than creating them. 😄
20. Who do you admire and why?
I admire people that question the status quo, and that build new ways of doing things regardless of how radical or different they seem to others at the time... That is how progress happens and the future is built.🚀
