Humans of TapMango: Milani
This week, we’re featuring a spunky and down-to-earth Human who is leading the charge as a Team Lead and Account Executive. Get to know what drives Milani to empower small businesses every day.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
I’m really boring, to be honest. If I were to pick something to do on a free day, it would be binge-watching garbage reality TV. I watch it all – The Bachelorette, The Bachelor, everything on MTV, The Challenge, Teen Mom, Are You the One… Terrible shows, I would not recommend, but to me they’re television gold. Also napping and eating.
What food could you eat for the rest of your life?
If I could eat something for the rest of my life, it would be Hakka cuisine. It’s a fusion of East Asian and Indian, like Tandoori Masala chicken, Manchurian fried rice, crispy ginger beef. It’s tough to find but it’s really good.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done?
The coolest thing I’ve ever done was 2 summers ago when we visited Sri Lanka. I’ve been many times but I was never old enough to climb Sigiriya. It’s a lion rock fortress that’s 1600 years old and in ancient Sri Lanka, a king built a palace on top of it. It takes 3 hours to make it to the top and you see pure jungle and mountains in the distance. The climb was dangerous but the view was stunning.
Teach us something we don’t know in 5 minutes.
I think everybody knows this, but if you’re able to roll your tongue, that means either one of your parents can do it. It’s genetic. Thank you Ms. Ho from grade 11 bio!
If you could have lunch with anyone living or dead, who would it be?
It would be all of my grandparents because they all passed away when I was very young. I would ask them what my parents were like when they were children.
Who is the most influential person in your life?
My father because he came to Canada with absolutely nothing (literally homeless) and built a very beautiful life for us today by himself. If there’s any reason to come into work, even if I’m sick or have a toothache, it’s because of what he has instilled in me.
Aside from your father, what else motivates you to come to work?
Helping small businesses. You learn about all these things that Amazon and Starbucks and McDonald’s are doing, but you never really think about the struggles that a small business goes through. I love the fact that we’re able to give them something that lets them compete on that level, that doesn’t cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to adopt.
What else do you like about working here?
Culture, hands down. We’re very lucky and fortunate to have people who are nice and friendly. I feel comfortable talking to every single person here when asking for help and we’ve grown to be a really great family
Outside of your main role, what do you focus on when you’re at work?
My primary role beyond being an account executive is to help my team. Whether that’s ongoing coaching, training, or making sure that everyone feels supported, I’m creating an environment where they can come to me with their questions and concerns and trust that they’ll be taken care of.
In addition, I help HR with recruiting. I go to career fairs and we look to network with new candidates and create exposure for the company.
What do you think makes a good team lead?
Somebody who listens. It’s really easy to have a contradictory opinion and put a bandaid on it just to get it over with, but it’s going to be a recurring problem going forward. You need to make sure that things are communicated directly to management. I can honestly say that the people on my team are friends outside of work so they can be honest with me because they trust me.
What are some of your favorite moments?
Our co-worker had Shabbat dinner for us and that was phenomenal – she’s an amazing cook. I also love hanging out on Friday nights with my co-workers – I’m here all night until everyone’s about to leave and the lights go out.
What would you tell someone who wants to apply to your department?
Don’t be afraid of rejection. There’s a huge learning curve, a lot of trial and error, so look to your peers for help and support. Everyone around you is very knowledgeable about the product, different industries, different strategies, and everyone is always willing to help. Be open and honest with your feedback – we’re a startup and we’re always looking to grow and make changes accordingly to see success in the future. Just be yourself. We’re like a family so just kick it!
We’re so glad to have you in our TapMango family, Milani! Interested in helping businesses grow? Click here to learn more.
!