Christa Collins is the fearless leader of the Squarespace support team. When you ask one of the 12 team members about their boss, you'll hear about her no-nonsense management style, her sharp problem-solving skills, and a lot about her secret prowess as a ninja.
When Christa started with Squarespace back in December 2006, she was just the third employee added to the company roster. She had recently gotten into blogging and been introduced to Squarespace through some online communities. She took to the platform instantly, and, as things go, couldn't have had better timing. She was moving across the country and looking for a new job just as Anthony was ready to expand Squarespace's customer support efforts.
"In those days I worked support by myself." But it's no surprise that she's gone from a one-woman team to running a 13-person department, learning the platform inside and out, in order to deliver a wonderful experience to every customer. "It's been an incredible adventure." Her adventure continues, as this month she relocated her family to New York and joined the entire team here in our SoHo office.
Name: Christa Collins
Job title: Director of Customer Care
What do you *actually* do every day? I manage a team of incredibly talented support staff. With support growing as much as it has, there are a lot of things to oversee, from reviewing replies and handling customer issues, to scheduling and training staff. It really depends on the day, but most of the time I'm evaluating and updating shift coverage, maintaining and editing the Squarespace help guides, creating resources for the support team, and always answering tickets.
What's your favorite thing about working here? Our customers are outstanding! I also love that no two days are ever the same, and I'm constantly learning new things.
What is your background? I got started in retail management at Nordstrom and Gap, and then made the transition to office work at a law firm. I worked as a legal secretary for several years, and it was during my maternity leave from the law office that I discovered the blogging world and was introduced to Squarespace.
Aside from Squarespace, what is your favorite online tool/resource? I can't live without Skitch, and recently discovered Divvy (thanks Tom!).
Favorite blogs? Not Martha, Dooce, and Julie Ree.
What were the last 5 songs played on your iPod? "Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up)" by Florence + The Machine, "Find Love" by NLX, "We Used to Wait" by Arcade Fire, "No Signs of Pain" by Azure Ray, "Seether" by Veruca Salt.
What was the last movie you saw?Let Me In, adapted from the Swedish book Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist.
What do you do for fun outside of Squarespace? I read. A lot. Probably a sickening amount. I'm pretty crafty, so I crochet and knit, but sewing is really my passion.
Tell me 5 fun facts about yourself.
- My husband and I have 4 daughters, ranging in ages from 17 months to 12 years old.
- I think spiders are disgusting.
- My thumbs are double-jointed.
- I was born on Mother's Day.
- I can't function without coffee.
If you could pick one superpower, invisibility or flying, which would you pick? Why? I'd have to say flying, which is funny because I'm scared of heights. But the ability to flit to Cancun at a moment's notice? Superpower indeed.
You can find Christa online on Twitter: @daphne.