Meet Josh Stanford From The Ecommerce Team

This "Meet The Team" blog features Josh Stanford, regional sales executive for the ecommerce division at ECI Software Solutions. We sat down with Josh to learn more about his role within the LBM team.

ECI: Describe your role in 50 words or less.

Josh Stanford (JS): I collaborate with businesses in the Lumber and Building Materials industry to help them understand ecommerce and the potential benefits that they could see by implementing it. I consult with LBM groups on self-service tools for their current customers and show how they can attract new ones.

ECI: What and where did you study?

JS: I studied Health and Society: Population Studies with a business minor at the University of Texas at Austin.

ECI: Tell us about your background and the path that led you to your current role.

JS: In college, I worked part-time for the Annual Giving Call Center, collecting donations from parents and former students to support the school, and I enjoyed the role. After graduation, I decided to go on to Sales because it felt like a good extension of the role I already enjoyed. I grew up around lumber yards and hardware stores, and my family owns and operates a construction company. I started my career working for a software company that builds technology for construction companies, learning a lot about the industry while I was with them. Right before coming to ECI, I was with an eCommerce company selling to small businesses looking to grow their online company by improving their internal processes. With my background and experience so far, I was able to secure a role here at ECI that connects my previous experiences.

ECI: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned since you began your career?

JS: Can I only pick one? Setting clear expectations, getting ahead of anticipated problems, talking about them with all involved parties, and doing what you say you will do.

ECI: What do you enjoy doing when you're not at work?

JS: In my off hours, I keep myself busy with various hobbies – aquariums, gardening, painting, and board games – when I’m not chasing after my three-year-old son, Oscar.

ECI: Where would you go if you could travel to any area of the world right now?

JS: I'd go to Greece and/or Bali.

ECI: What's currently on your music playlist?

JS: Glass Animals, Tai Verdes, and Surfaces

ECI: Where do you live, and what do you love about it?

JS: I live in Austin, Texas. I moved here for college and never left! My wife and I relocated here for school from the same town of Big Sandy, Texas. We have been here for 13-14 years and have loved it. Austin has so many different activities and things to do! From live music (always the repeated draw) to all things outdoors! The food is amazing, and the variety is never-ending. The city is growing, which has kept it diverse and created change that keeps the city feeling new every few years while still maintaining the things we enjoyed doing when we were in college years ago.

ECI: What does your day-to-day work life look like?

JS: It includes a variety of tasks. I will make calls and send emails to customers I have not spoken with yet or those I am in communication with and need to relay some information or set up the next call. I will have meetings on the calendar with groups who are in varying stages of evaluating Spruce eCommerce. Some are just starting to learn about it, some are in the final portion of our conversation where they are looking to decide, and everything in between.

ECI: What excites you most about working within this industry?

JS: The opportunity to bring technology and innovation to businesses that aren’t typically at the forefront in those areas and the ability it has to make a difference in the daily lives of our customers. Saving time on tasks and making more money is great, but getting home a little earlier to spend time with family is even better.

ECI: What advice would you give someone just starting in your industry? Any words of wisdom?

JS: Be open and kind. We are all trying to figure it out, and those who seem like they have it all sorted do not. You will get more out of life the more open you are to things in life, and you will go farther in being kind to those around you.

ECI: What do you find most challenging about working within this industry?

JS: Generally, there’s not an openness to innovation because it works as is, so I’d say we should get people to see the value of our technology and how it can help them grow their business.

ECI: What book would you recommend for anyone to add to their must-read list?

JS: “Permission to Feel” by Marc Brackett.

In summary, Josh Stanford's expertise and dedication to eCommerce make him a key player at ECI. His commitment to innovation helps both the company and customers thrive, providing valuable insights and effective solutions.