Lynk!

After so many teasers about my new job in previous posts, it’s about time I told you all about it! Today marks my 3rd week, so I’m an old pro now.

Here’s some official copy about Lynk:
Lynk is a Kenyan startup focused on transforming the informal labor sector. Through customized technology and rigorous processes, we identify and vet top quality professionals, connect them to suitable jobs/gigs, and ensure that finished products and services leave customers thrilled. We’ve designed 3 complimentary services to satisfy a wide range of customer needs:
Lynk Requests: On demand marketplace connecting you to Pros in 70+ categories from plumbing to carpentry to massage (Krisztina’s note: Think Taskrabbit and Uber in that they are full service, not just a lead generation marketplace like Angie’s List) Click here.
Lynk Projects: Premium, managed offering for large requests such as furnishing, renovation, and construction (Krisztina’s note: Think architectural design and construction project management) Click here to see a restaurant Lynk helped build!
Lynk Shop: Curated selection of products and services from our top artisans. Available at the click of a button (Krisztina’s note: Think Etsy) Click here.
At Lynk we envision a world in which everyone can enjoy job security, fair wages, a safe work environment, and the opportunity for career growth. Additionally, for a household, hiring someone should be safe, convenient, and fair. Our platform is designed to address each of these issues, offering a network of professionals that grows and improves.
So what do I do here?
Well, what started as a platform that guaranteed your plumber, seamstress, furniture maker, etc will show up on time and provide a quality service/product in a timely manner (and if not Lynk would reimburse you), has taken off into a large project design and build platform along the lines of “I am opening a restaurant/office/whatever and need someone to do painting and floor tiling and furniture building and more”. I have been brought in to navigate this newer territory and establish and implement systems, scalable design processes and management practices so that Lynk continues to satisfy clients and the Projects team is not reinventing the wheel with every new build client.

I was e-introduced to the CEO Adam via Chris, the Head of Growth at Lynk, by a connection of a connection of Bill’s former Angaza colleague. I explained to Adam I am looking for a career change that’s at the intersection of the design, tech, and project management Venn diagram. I basically described Lynk Projects and after two Skype interviews (one in which MY internet kept cutting out, crappy Silicon Valley wifi) and some negotiations I was hired! Chris told me last night at the Lynk Senior Management Team dinner (at a Lebanese / Sushi fusion restaurant – talk about crazy Venn diagrams!) that when he forwarded my initial email to Adam, he changed the subject line to “Calm Down”, because I was exactly what Lynk was looking for!

It so far has been the experience of a lifetime. I have creative freedom and my design judgement is sought after by all, especially the CEO who will turn to me in internal meetings and client meetings alike for the final say. It’s been a crazy mix of high level strategizing with my fellow leadership team members while also getting my hands dirty, literally, overseeing furniture-makers as they put my design together for a jewelry display case. I collaborate with the UX/UI team often as well as the Marketing Department. So far I have worked on dozens of projects and strategy initiatives, as well as beginning the process of developing best practices for my team and pushing for all Lynk teams to adopt human centered design thinking. I also attend 2-3 potential client and client meetings every week with the CEO. I’m not a sales-y type person but my ideas in meetings, obvious years of experience, OCD attention to quality and detail, and thoughtful and beautiful proposal presentation decks have already landed us 2 new projects, with one more (the biggest one ($$$) to date!) on the way. #myownhorn #toottoot
Work meeting at Bao Box Cafe, that Lynk helped build!
Like a true tech company, there are office pets: a cat, a dog, and a sometimes dog. We also get a free breakfast and a catered lunch everyday.

The chicken is always delicious. 
The most traditional Kenyan dish, which I really don’t like.

I usually scarf my food down at my desk because I am so busy in the best way – with work that invigorates and excites me! Despite the terrible air quality in Nairobi, this job really has been a breath of fresh air from the architecture industry. The worst part is the commute. We live a short 4 kilometers from work, but, with the Nairobi traffic being what it is, it can put me at 35-40 minutes door to door even with the reverse commute. That does not include wait time for a driver. Taxify is infinitely better than Uber (there are maybe 3 or 4 taxi apps in Nairobi) in terms of driver quality, driver quantity (i.e. wait time is 5 minutes or less whereas with Uber it can be 15) and driver’s share of the ride price. One thing I have learned during my time here so far is patience. I used to get so upset when I had to wait 3 minutes for a Lyft when I lived in San Francisco. Now I just know to request a ride while I am still brushing my teeth, or finishing up my last work emails. Ok, so maybe that’s not exactly patience, but I’d still call it #progress.

The Lynk headquarters in the Spring Valley neighborhood of Nairobi.
The engineering team.
The marketing team. 
So many palettes!
Tire playground for an elementary school!
Palatte benches!
A meeting room
Ronnick and Kami the dog laying down at his feet, hoping for a belly rub.
Mochi the cat. Doesn’t stay still ever for me to take a non-blurry picture. 

3 thoughts on “Lynk!”

  1. Thank you so much for sharing about your workplace. I loved the pictures. What are the cat’s and dogs’ names? Beautiful office and great place. How is the food?

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