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Tropic Spotlight: Selena Makrides

Brandon Pham
March 27, 2023
4 min read

Meet Selena, one of our Group Managers of Customer Success. 👋

She started at Tropic working with clients as a rockstar Senior Customer Success Manager. Now, she manages West Coast talent on the Customer Success team, helping our CSMs develop their skills.

Selena's words to live by in Customer Success:

"Exceptional service stems from curiosity and empathy. It looks like asking the right questions, actively listening, and problem-solving with our customers to remove barriers and unlock business goals."

Learn more about her love for working with customers, a hidden talent with a beer bottle, her appreciation for Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin, and more.

▶ Why did you decide to join Tropic?

I was at a crossroads in my career--should I stay at a company where I loved the people, but was no longer learning new things, or make the difficult choice to leave to level up my skills? I was lucky enough to get introduced to Justin Etkin, cofounder of Tropic, and he made my choice easy. It was immediately clear that leadership was not only building an amazing product that served a real pain point, but that they were doing so with integrity, transparency and a customer-first approach.

Definitely made the right decision, because Tropic has delivered on all their promises and then some, for customers and employees alike.

▶ What has been your most memorable moment here?

Easily our company-wide retreat to Mexico. Strengthening our bonds as people and friends first has made us even more effective in our work, and it didn't hurt to do it while surrounded by turquoise water and palm trees. 🌊

▶ What is a project that you're most proud of working on?

My proudest project is my team, and supporting them on their journey to not only the best Tropic CSMs but the best CSMs they can be, full stop. It's been incredibly rewarding to play a part in their growth, and to learn from each of them along the way.

▶ As a CSM, what does exceptional service look like to you and what has been your favorite part about working with Tropic customers?

Exceptional service stems from curiosity and empathy. It looks like asking the right questions, actively listening, and problem solving with our customers to remove barriers and unlock business goals. 🎯

Our customers look a lot like Tropic, so we deeply understand the problems they're trying to solve. It leads to super collaborative partnerships, and we're very lucky to work with teams who have the same Procurement Paradise vision as us.

▶ What is a fun fact people would be surprised to know about you?

I was a competitive gymnast until I was 15. Also, I can open a beer bottle with my teeth. 😬

▶ What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love spending time with my partner (currently binge-watching Cheers), wrangling my friends into new hobbies, and exploring different neighborhoods in San Francisco. There are also things I make a point to do everyday for myself, like hitting the gym and morning journaling. 📔

▶ If you could choose two celebrities to be your parents, who would they be?

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. They're the prime examples of aging gracefully, and embracing all the weird twists and turns of life with curiosity and humor. I can't think of two better people to ask for advice.

▶ What are three items you cannot live without?

My phone, my keys, and an airtag to keep track of them. I'm known for being a little forgetful, and have locked myself out of my apartment more than once.

▶ If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

This one may be controversial, but I dream about the Philly cheesesteak from my favorite sandwich shop in my hometown of Atlanta. 🧀🥩🥪

▶ What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

"Let go or be dragged." Knowing when to release ideas, people, situations, etc. that no longer serve us will lead to new, more transformative adventures. Change can be terrifying but it's also the quickest path to growth.

If you're interested in seeing what Tropic is all about, take a peek inside our culture and open roles here! 🌴

Share this post
Brandon Pham
Brandon Pham is the Marketing Coordinator at Tropic.

Meet Selena, one of our Group Managers of Customer Success. 👋

She started at Tropic working with clients as a rockstar Senior Customer Success Manager. Now, she manages West Coast talent on the Customer Success team, helping our CSMs develop their skills.

Selena's words to live by in Customer Success:

"Exceptional service stems from curiosity and empathy. It looks like asking the right questions, actively listening, and problem-solving with our customers to remove barriers and unlock business goals."

Learn more about her love for working with customers, a hidden talent with a beer bottle, her appreciation for Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin, and more.

▶ Why did you decide to join Tropic?

I was at a crossroads in my career--should I stay at a company where I loved the people, but was no longer learning new things, or make the difficult choice to leave to level up my skills? I was lucky enough to get introduced to Justin Etkin, cofounder of Tropic, and he made my choice easy. It was immediately clear that leadership was not only building an amazing product that served a real pain point, but that they were doing so with integrity, transparency and a customer-first approach.

Definitely made the right decision, because Tropic has delivered on all their promises and then some, for customers and employees alike.

▶ What has been your most memorable moment here?

Easily our company-wide retreat to Mexico. Strengthening our bonds as people and friends first has made us even more effective in our work, and it didn't hurt to do it while surrounded by turquoise water and palm trees. 🌊

▶ What is a project that you're most proud of working on?

My proudest project is my team, and supporting them on their journey to not only the best Tropic CSMs but the best CSMs they can be, full stop. It's been incredibly rewarding to play a part in their growth, and to learn from each of them along the way.

▶ As a CSM, what does exceptional service look like to you and what has been your favorite part about working with Tropic customers?

Exceptional service stems from curiosity and empathy. It looks like asking the right questions, actively listening, and problem solving with our customers to remove barriers and unlock business goals. 🎯

Our customers look a lot like Tropic, so we deeply understand the problems they're trying to solve. It leads to super collaborative partnerships, and we're very lucky to work with teams who have the same Procurement Paradise vision as us.

▶ What is a fun fact people would be surprised to know about you?

I was a competitive gymnast until I was 15. Also, I can open a beer bottle with my teeth. 😬

▶ What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love spending time with my partner (currently binge-watching Cheers), wrangling my friends into new hobbies, and exploring different neighborhoods in San Francisco. There are also things I make a point to do everyday for myself, like hitting the gym and morning journaling. 📔

▶ If you could choose two celebrities to be your parents, who would they be?

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. They're the prime examples of aging gracefully, and embracing all the weird twists and turns of life with curiosity and humor. I can't think of two better people to ask for advice.

▶ What are three items you cannot live without?

My phone, my keys, and an airtag to keep track of them. I'm known for being a little forgetful, and have locked myself out of my apartment more than once.

▶ If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

This one may be controversial, but I dream about the Philly cheesesteak from my favorite sandwich shop in my hometown of Atlanta. 🧀🥩🥪

▶ What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

"Let go or be dragged." Knowing when to release ideas, people, situations, etc. that no longer serve us will lead to new, more transformative adventures. Change can be terrifying but it's also the quickest path to growth.

If you're interested in seeing what Tropic is all about, take a peek inside our culture and open roles here! 🌴

Share this post
Brandon Pham
Brandon Pham is the Marketing Coordinator at Tropic.
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