Here and Queer: A Q&A with ProudTacks’ Milo and Larkin
In celebration of Pride Month, we sat down with Milo (they/he) and Larkin (they/them), two of our ProudTacks members to discuss their time at Thumbtack, what it means to be part of a company that supports the LGBTQ2IA+ community, and more.
What is your primary role at Thumbtack?
(Milo) I am a Service and Support agent, and I work directly with our pros and customers. I help them understand how Thumbtack works, help them find success, and help customers connect with pros to help them with their projects.
(Larkin) I’m an Enablement Specialist for our Service and Support team. I primarily train new hires to become experts on the Thumbtack platform so they’re able to provide the best support possible for our pros and customers. We know pros’ and customers’ time is valuable, and we want to make sure we make the most of it when you contact us.
Why did you join Thumbtack?
(Milo) I chose Thumbtack because, being trans, they were the most progressive company I have come across and being respected at work is a must. I know many people do not have the privilege of being out at work because they could lose their jobs and or be targeted, so knowing I am working for a company that allows me to be myself helps me continue to advocate for a safe work space for everyone. We still have a lot of work to do to be fully inclusive and respectful of all employees, and I appreciate Thumbtack’s effort in working towards being an inclusive workplace. After working here for some time, I have come to realize that Thumbtack is more than just a job with great benefits, it is a place of community.
(Larkin) My beginnings at Thumbtack are humble; I was looking for a change from the world of retail. I had a friend who worked at Thumbtack and never said anything but great things about their values, inclusivity, and culture. It sounded like a refreshing change, and I dove right in. Almost 4 years later, I’m glad I made the change. I’m happy for the community I now get to be a part of, and I’m grateful to work for a company that puts so much effort into making sure its employees are well taken care of.
What Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are you part of? How have they helped to create a culture of belonging at Thumbtack?
(Milo) I am a co-lead of ProudTacks and a community member of Access, our health ERG. I am also a part of Parents ERG, as I have a son!
Working for a company that has multiple ERGs has created such a great sense of community! I feel seen and heard being a queer employee with mental health disorders, which I haven’t experienced before in a work space. During the pandemic working remotely has had its challenges, but our ERGs have stepped up to make sure we feel a sense of belonging and to bring us together. Being able to openly talk about my depression and anxiety and having others relate has been really helpful while I work from home. I have helped create Proudcast Club, a podcast club for ProudTacks and it has been amazing being able to listen to different topics and discuss what we took from the podcast with others in the community. Being able to get creative on ways to connect in a time of isolation has been hard, but it is rewarding to see people come together.
What excites you about Thumbtack and the future ahead?
(Larkin) I’m excited to be a part of Thumbtack’s realization that we need to put more time, attention, and focus on DEI. I think that it’s easy for companies to decide they do “enough” in this arena, and I think that complacency is one of the most unfortunate tendencies in the tech world. I am proud to work for a company that strives to always do better — a company that is transparent and exact about the steps we’re taking to better our involvement in DEI initiatives. We can always do better, and I’m grateful to work for a company that recognizes that and takes action. I’m excited to watch our inclusivity and mindful ally-ship grow.
Being a part of the LGBTQ2IA+ community is an incredibly important part of my life, and I haven’t always worked at places that accept my identity, much less celebrate it. From the beginning, I felt respected and validated for exactly who I was. My voice is not diminished; it is amplified. I am excited to be a part of Thumbtack’s continued efforts in recognizing and celebrating marginalized identities in the future. There is always a lot of work to be done to make sure we’re remaining fair, giving visibility, and removing unconscious bias. I’m looking forward to being a part of the continued learning, unlearning, and earnest efforts to maximize inclusion.
How would you describe Thumbtack’s culture?
(Larkin) Thumbtack’s culture has shifted and evolved greatly over the past year. Most of us will never forget when we got the email telling us to go home and continue day-to-day tasks remotely “for the foreseeable future” (which subsequently led to what is now a virtual-first workplace). The pandemic changed everyone’s lives — both personally and professionally — and Thumbtack was no exception.
The remarkable thing, to me, is how hard our leadership team works to make sure that our transition to a remote-first world is as smooth and cohesive as possible. Employees are encouraged to engage in discussion about what’s working and what needs to be improved. I admire the fact that Thumbtack isn’t afraid to take a look at the core of an idea or practice, figure out how to make it better, and then follow through on that.
It’s been a great opportunity to be able to reflect on the fact that, although things will never be the same as they used to be, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be better than it was before. I’m grateful for the fact that I still work in a communicative, connected environment, regardless of ditching the office setting.
If you read this and see yourself at Thumbtack, check out our open roles at https://www.thumbtack.com/careers/.
