Meet Daniel Altenburg

 

We recently connected with Daniel Altenburg and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Daniel with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

My work ethic is deeply rooted in the values instilled in me by my mother, who immigrated to the USA from Peru. Her journey and determination have been a constant source of inspiration for me. When I was in middle school, my dad left, and my mom took on the responsibility of raising my sister and me on her own. She worked incredibly hard, often holding two jobs simultaneously to ensure we had the resources we needed to make it through high school and eventually to college. She taught me the importance of perseverance, dedication, and hard work.

In addition to my mother’s influence, I’ve been fortunate to have incredible managers who have shaped my professional journey. Kenny, my manager at Top of the Market where I worked as a server at a fine dining restaurant, demonstrated the importance of excellence and attention to detail in every task. Raphael from Universal Student Exchange, during my five years in Peru, showed me the value of cultural understanding and adaptability in a global setting. Lastly, Tami from RemX introduced me to the world of staffing and taught me the intricacies of this industry, emphasizing the significance of building strong relationships and having a sense of urgency.

These experiences have shaped my work ethic, driving me to excel in every endeavor I take on.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Zipdev’s origin story is one of innovation, perseverance, and friendship. My co-founder, Mike Lenny, and I met while living in Lima, Peru, where we developed a strong bond playing rugby and traveling across Latin America. When we both returned to San Diego, Mike needed help finding talented software engineers for an app he wanted to build. Hiring locally in California was cost-prohibitive, and conversations with friends running companies revealed that working with overseas teams often had time zone challenges. We saw the potential in the Latin American talent pool right in our backyard. This realization led us to start Zipdev in 2015, to connect US companies with top remote talent from Latin America.

Today, I sit in the visionary seat at Zipdev, where I’m responsible for fostering our company culture, building and maintaining big relationships, and driving business development. Additionally, I manage the Revenue team, with our HR Manager and Recruiting Manager reporting up to me. This dual role allows me to stay deeply connected to both our internal team and our clients, ensuring that we continue to deliver exceptional service and value.

What excites me most about Zipdev is the transformative impact we have on both our clients and our employees. Our clients gain access to an incredible pool of talent that helps propel their businesses forward, while our team members in Latin America enjoy life-changing opportunities. They can spend more time with their families, invest in their local economies, and achieve greater financial stability. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

As we continue to grow, we’re focused on expanding our offerings and reaching even more businesses in need of top-tier remote talent. We’re also committed to maintaining our small company vibes, ensuring personal connections with our clients and fostering a fun, collaborative work environment.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Reflecting on my journey, I believe the three most impactful qualities and skills have been my recruiting expertise, my love for ideation, and my ability to maintain strong relationships.

First, my recruiting skills have been foundational. Since graduating college, I’ve spent over 10 years as a recruiter. This experience has honed my ability to identify top talent, understand the needs of both clients and candidates, and match the right people with the right opportunities. For those early in their journey, I advise immersing yourself in the field you’re passionate about, continuously learning, and gaining as much hands-on experience as possible. The more you know about your field, the more valuable you become.

Second, my love for ideation and brainstorming has played a crucial role. I enjoy coming up with creative ideas and strategies to solve problems and drive growth. For those starting out, I recommend cultivating curiosity and creativity. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and explore new perspectives. Surround yourself with diverse thinkers and engage in activities that stimulate your creativity.

Third, the ability to listen and maintain strong relationships has been essential. My enduring friendship and business partnership with Mike is a testament to this. Effective communication and mutual respect have allowed us to navigate challenges and grow Zipdev together. For those early in their journey, I suggest focusing on developing strong interpersonal skills. Learn to listen actively, communicate clearly, and build genuine connections with others. These relationships can provide invaluable support and collaboration opportunities.

Joining the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) has also been a game-changer. EO has provided me with a platform to learn from other successful entrepreneurs, expanding my knowledge beyond my zone of excellence. It’s important to recognize that you don’t have all the answers and to seek out communities or organizations where you can learn from others’ experiences.

Lastly, maintaining health and wellness is vital. If your personal life is out of balance, it can negatively impact your business and vice versa. Make sure to prioritize your well-being, set boundaries, and find a healthy work-life balance. A strong, healthy you is fundamental to sustaining long-term success in your professional journey.

By focusing on these areas—building expertise, fostering creativity, maintaining strong relationships, learning from others, and prioritizing health—you can set a solid foundation for your journey and navigate the challenges along the way more effectively.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

One of the ongoing challenges I’m constantly working on is building and maintaining a rad company culture within a remote environment. Our team consists of 135 remote members spread across 16 different countries in Latin America. Ensuring that everyone feels like a part of Zipdev, despite the physical distance, can be tough.

To tackle this, we’ve implemented several fun and engaging remote activities. For example, we have “Turn It Up Thursday,” where we select a music genre, and the team adds their favorite songs to a shared playlist. It’s like being in the same office listening to music together, except we’re all over the Americas. We also host virtual coffees, monthly team calls, and an annual Zipdev Day celebration with team challenges.

We’ve introduced lunch and learns where teammates can share their work knowledge or hobbies, such as brewing their own coffee. Additionally, we have run clubs to promote fitness and camaraderie. These initiatives help create a sense of community and belonging, even in a remote setting.

Despite these efforts, I’m always looking for new ways to enhance our remote culture and ensure everyone feels connected and valued. If any readers have experienced successful remote company cultures or have ideas to share, I’d love to hear from you. Learning from others’ experiences is invaluable as we continue to improve and innovate at Zipdev.

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