Why I help grow merchants at Shopify
Asking “why” can reveal a lot in almost any situation. Finding the real meaning behind why we do things is both liberating and motivating.
I’m on the Merchant Success team at Shopify Plus, a team at Shopify dedicated to helping high-volume merchants grow and scale. The Merchant Success team has, in my opinion, the most unique relationship with Shopify’s customers (we call them merchants). Each Shopify Plus merchant has one dedicated member of our team to help them be successful on our platform (aptly named a merchant success manager). This creates a long-term relationship where we become embedded as a member of our merchant’s team — helping them navigate the complex world of commerce once you become an expanding business. Scaling is hard, and having a strategic partner that knows all the tips and tricks makes all the difference.
I asked myself “why” — what are the underlying reasons I do what I do? Here’s what I came up with:
1. Our merchant’s passion keeps things interesting
Every interaction I have with our merchants is infused with their passion. Have you ever had a conversation with an entrepreneur about their business? Their excitement and enthusiasm radiates from everything they say, and they never pass up an opportunity to relentlessly improve or ask an opinion. By the way, this passion translates into hard, heated conversations too — but I wouldn’t have it any other way. The basis of my job is built on growing one of the most important aspects of these people’s lives. The stakes are high. I’d rather have interactions with someone that cares deeply about a subject over someone who is indifferent.
2. It’s better for our world
Bold statement — I know. But there’s a reason our CEO, Tobi Lütke, has made one of our mantras “always take the path that leads to more entrepreneurs.” They can be considered national assets that drive economic health forward. A successful entrepreneur generates new wealth through the products, services, or technologies they bring to the market. This wealth trickles down to the people, manufacturers, services, or communities they employ to run their business. Entrepreneurs also create local and even national social change. They break from tradition, build up the local community, foster economic freedom, and improve the public’s quality of life. It’s a virtuous circle for the economy.
Always take the path that leads to more entrepreneurs.
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I’m proud of the fact that Shopify truly, unselfishly makes our world a better place, a rare thing for technology companies nowadays. Every employee’s job is to build a product that reduces the complexity of becoming a successful entrepreneur — because having none isn’t an option.
3. It’s challenging and new, every day
The ecommerce world is moving fast. Right when you think you know all the answers, you get thrown a curveball of a problem. I’m constantly discovering new tactics, learning through courses and webinars, and coming up with creative solutions every day to keep up. Compound that by our merchant’s businesses and markets changing daily as well. Every day at work is different than the last, and there’s no shortage of support from my team to get me through it.
4. It’s exciting to be at the forefront of the industry
Our industry will be changing a lot within the next 10 years, and I have no doubt that Shopify will be at the helm of that change. Whether it’s our exploration into VR, our multichannel approach, or our bet on conversational commerce, getting a front row seat (and bringing our merchants along for the ride) is very exciting.
5. It’s fulfilling
Probably most importantly, the combination of all this means I’m fulfilled at the end of my day. I have meaningful, impactful, real conversations. Sometimes it’s just letting our merchants know someone is there to listen, and sometimes it’s solving a major business problem. Ultimately, I’m helping them grow and become more successful. This success cascades down into all the lives that our merchants affect, from their employees to their customers. If that’s not leverage, I don’t know what is.
Conclusion: find your “why”
I urge you to complete this exercise for yourself. Why do you do what you do? The results will form a newfound appreciation and meaning for your role, acting as a platform of motivation for your growth.
By the way, if helping entrepreneurs has piqued your interest, you should check out our open positions on the Merchant Success team at Shopify Plus. Please recommend or share this article if you found it useful. Don’t forget to share your “why” or any general comments you have below.
