We’re back to take you ‘Behind Billsby’ with the second in our series of Q&As! This week we’re thrilled to introduce you to another member of our brilliant team: Jessica Bowman! Product Manager Jessica spent some time with us to discuss her career highlights, what she loves about Billsby, and what shortcut would be her special superpower…
Name: Jessica Bowman
Company role: Product Manager
Quote that has inspired you: “When we resist change, it’s called suffering. But when we can completely let go and not struggle against it, when we can embrace the groundlessness of our situation and relax into its dynamic quality, that’s called enlightenment.” – Pema Chodron
Hello, Jessica! It’s fab to get to learn a little more about you. To start with, can you describe your role in one sentence?
As the Product Manager for Billsby, I’m responsible for identifying new features and improvements for the platform alongside designing, documenting and tracking the progress of them.
You’ve already shared your favourite quote (which we loved, by the way!). In a similar vein, what’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece of advice I ever got was: ‘the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!’. Buddy the Elf, from the film Elf, 2003. It works every time!
What was your first job, and how has it influenced your career today?
My first job was as a pot-wash at my uncle’s café. I was fairly young at the time, so I couldn’t even lift the dishwasher tray into the dishwasher by myself. I always had to ask the head chef to help me (which was a daunting task in itself!). Eventually, however, I became good friends with all the chefs in the kitchen and they really respected my resilience – the fact that I kept going even though I clearly wasn’t built for the job. It taught me the importance of perseverance; and - equally important - that it is no weakness to ask for help. If you’re stuck on a task, reaching out to your colleagues not only helps you achieve what you set out to, but also strengthens the relationship you have with them.
What values/skills have been the most important to your professional life?
I really had to think about this one, because you learn and improve so much every single day - no matter what job you have - so narrowing it down is really tough.
I think I’d have to say that the most important value (or what I value the most) is hard work. No matter what industry you work in, or what job you have, if you work hard you’re going to succeed. Because of this, I think that my most important skill is my willingness and ability to learn new things. We’re a relatively small team at Billsby, so I always find myself jumping in to help other teams that are a bit snowed under. There is nothing I enjoy more than learning something new, and the reward for that is that I’ve been able to get involved in so many different parts of the company.
What do you love about Billsby?
The ethos we have managed to create. We’ve taken the billing and subscription process - something that’s really complex - and we’ve made it fun and easy to use. I love, love, love hearing about customers that have signed up to Billsby and within a matter of hours are completely set up and ready to start charging for their subscriptions. That’s something we wanted to make a reality when we first started Billsby, and it drove a lot of the decisions we made, so seeing it happen fills my heart with joy!
Great answers, Jess – it’s a privilege to hear your passionate insights! Now, for something a little more fun… top three podcasts?
WSL PURE, One Ocean. This podcast is great for anyone who is passionate about the ocean and sustainability, or anyone who just wants to find out a bit more about what people are doing to protect the ocean. Episode 8 with Leith Sharp is a must listen. She starts the episode talking about a near death experience she had in the sea and how, in that moment, she viewed her life and what she’d done and something just switched in her to keep going and survive.
Wondery. These podcasts are perfect for anyone who likes true crime podcasts. Each subject is discussed at length over the course of five to seven episodes of 45 minutes each, so they are perfect for long journeys!
Finally, as Gemma Beharee mentioned in her recent Q&A, I’m going to have to say Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place – her podcasts are just little nuggets of happiness and self-love. They have been perfect little boosters during COVID.
How about books?
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I mean, it’s a classic for a reason!
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. It’s another older book, written in 1938, but du Maurier was a master when it came to writing thrillers - and this is the best one by far. It’s still a best seller, and it’s been 82 years since it was first published, so she must have done something right.
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. So: I picked up my first Jodi Picoult book when I went travelling – and I was hooked within a few pages. She has a fantastic way of taking modern issues and bringing to light every side of a story. This one - probably one of her more famous books - examines a school shooting carried out by a student, asking the question: ‘Do we really ever know someone?’
And movies?
ALL of the Harry Potter films. (A bit of a cop out, I know, because there are eight films - but anyone who knows me will have known this would be the top of my list).
Peanut Butter Falcon. This is fairly new to Netflix, but the best hour and a half you’ll have spent all week (who am I kidding, it’s 2020: it’s the best hour and a half you’ll spend all year!). It’s such an uplifting movie, with the perfect balance of comedy and emotive storytelling, so get the tissues ready - you’ll either be blubbering at the story or crying with laughter.
Howl’s Moving Castle (hopefully my boyfriend doesn’t find out that this is third on my list because then he will probably make me watch it all the time.). So we all know about Spirited Away (and if you don’t, stop reading this immediately and go and watch it), but Netflix has a treasure trove of Japanese animated films and this is one of them. It’s such a fun film to watch; perfect for a Sunday afternoon.
[Immediately adds Peanut Butter Falcon and Howl’s Moving Castle to Netflix queue.] Thanks, Jess, awesome suggestions! Okay, final question: if you were a superhero, what would be your superpower?
I always joke to my boyfriend about this - I say if I could have one superpower it would be that I could click my fingers and instantly be ready for bed. I not sure that superpower would make me a superhero, but not having to take off my makeup and brush my teeth, get in my PJs, plug in all the devices that need charging overnight, etc., and instead be instantly tucked up in bed with everything done is a pretty good superpower if you ask me!
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