Lindsey Cochran on seizing the perfect opportunity

Lindsey shares how she became the first account executive on the Dropbox Austin sales team.

As an account executive on the Austin sales team, Lindsey describes how the opening of Dropbox’s Austin office was a perfect fit for her career plans. Reflecting on her move from the Bay Area to Austin Lindsey talks about the transition and her experience watching the Austin team grow.

What did you do before Dropbox?

I studied hotel and restaurant management at Cornell, and had elaborate plans to open a bar or restaurant of some sort. After graduation, I went to work for a golf resort in the San Francisco Bay Area; not quite the original plan! After realizing that Hospitality wasn’t for me long term, and technology was all around me in the Bay Area — I made my move.

I started at Salesforce in San Francisco, and have been fortunate enough to work for Facebook as well. Sometimes I think that I randomly fell into technology sales, but other times I feel like I would have made my way there eventually.

What do you do at Dropbox?

I’m an Account Executive on the sales team. I help companies have better visibility and control over their company information by using Dropbox for Business.

Why did you decide to join?

There are so many reasons, but if I had to pick only one, I’d say it was the opportunity. When I first learned that Dropbox was coming to Austin, I was beside myself. I honestly couldn’t have crafted a more perfect situation for where I was in my professional career, and what I was looking to do. To have the opportunity to help build a sales team within a company like Dropbox was definitely a unique opportunity that doesn’t come around often. This November marks a full year at Dropbox for me, and I still pinch myself because I can’t believe how lucky I am to be here.

You’re from Austin, and have recently moved back. What’s that been like?

I grew up in a small town just outside of Austin, so my decision to leave the Bay Area and move back was a great opportunity to get back to my roots, and be near my family. That being said, I hadn’t lived in or around Austin since I was in highschool, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But it turns out that Austin is very similar to San Francisco — good food, great music, and a thriving tech scene. This has definitely made the transition easy, so what started as a “maybe a year” turned into five, and I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.

What surprised you about Dropbox when you joined?

Definitely the people. I knew that Dropboxers were a special kind during my interview process, but was ecstatic to see that that was not just good recruiting. From my new hire group, to the people I’ve been able to meet on cross-functional teams, to the people I’ve helped bring onboard — I’m constantly in awe.

What’s unique about being in sales at Dropbox?

I think the most unique thing about doing sales at Dropbox is the untapped potential. We really do have so much room to grow. I’ve never been with a company at this stage where the opportunities are endless, and we are just getting started.

You started in the Dropbox Austin office soon after it opened. What’s it been like to see the office grow?

It’s amazing! Truly a unique and invaluable experience. Watching the office grow from 12 people when I started to currently over 70, I feel very lucky to be a part of this growth. I love being able to see each phase of our time here, and see people I’ve helped hire grow internally as well.

What have you done that few people have done?

I’ve run the Marine Corps Marathon three times. Running has always been a part of my life. It’s where I go to think, catch up with friends (that I’m running with), and de-stress. I also had a very small cameo in the movie “Varsity Blues.” It was actually filmed in my hometown. Unfortunately I don’t have an IMDB profile!

If you weren’t in sales at a tech company, what would you be doing?

If I weren’t doing sales at a tech company, I think I’d want to be a painter. My grandmother was and still is an incredible painter, so I like to think it’s in my blood. It’s been something that I’ve enjoyed since I was a kid, and I even won a few contests in elementary school. I find myself in a totally different world when I’m painting. There’s something pretty liberating about sitting in front of a blank canvas with a brush and paint.

How would you describe Dropbox Austin in three words?

Comforting: There’s something about the office that always feels very inviting and welcoming. We’re all like family, here.

Vibrant: There’s a certain buzz that you can feel from one side of the office to the other. Whether it’s 9 AM or 4 PM, it’s still there.

Motivated: While our office is comforting and has great energy, it also has some of the most motivated, driven people that I’ve ever been surrounded by. We’ve come so far in the past few months, and you can see in each person the determination to continue to build on this incredible foundation.