Interview with Co-Founder and Head of Engineering Joscha: Looking back on 6 years of Local Brand X

We asked Joscha, our Head of Engineering and co-founder of Local Brand X, in an interview how the company has developed over the last 6 years, what his personal highlights from this time are and also what he likes to do outside of work.
 

Hello Joscha! Thank you for taking the time today. First of all, we would like to know how you actually got into development. Have you always been interested in it?

Hello! Back then, I often went to Mainz University as a child with my father, where there was an office for students with work computers (still a novelty at the time). So I came into contact with the precursors of today's computers at an early age and quickly felt quite at home in this world. I also always had a creative streak and was interested in graphic design and typography.

That's why it was obvious for me to go into web development, as practically everything was and is covered here. I had always enjoyed mathematics too, so the decision to study computer science and the subsequent path into application development was clear to me relatively early on. I also chose web development because I wanted to go into an area that is developing rapidly and has potential.
 

What does your job as Head of Engineering involve and what do you particularly like about it?

As Head of Engineering, I am responsible for the entire application development and architecture as well as for the development team. As we've grown a lot in recent years and I'm now in charge of the largest department at Local Brand X, it's naturally also a personal challenge for me coming from a traditional software development background. But that's exactly what I like here at Local Brand X: the variety, constantly getting involved in new things and being able to make all kinds of adjustments. As I started the Local Brand X project with the expectation that we would grow, it was clear to me right from the start that I wouldn't just be working here as a traditional software developer. That's why I feel so at home here.
 

You've been with us from the very beginning. In your opinion, how has Local Brand X changed over the last 6 years and what are you most proud of since it was founded?

As I said, we have grown a lot since the company was founded, which is not possible without continuous change. Processes have had to be developed and adapted the most in recent years. But related topics, such as cross-departmental knowledge transfer, are also becoming increasingly important in order to be well positioned for the future. So that growth can continue and what we have already achieved is also secured.

My pride and joy is, of course, the Local Marketing Platform itself. For me, it's a bit like watching a child grow up. Over the last few years, it has been very easy to see what the platform has become and how it has developed from a more traditional web-to-print system into a fully-fledged automation platform. I always find it amazing to be aware of this development. In everyday life, you often don't realize how much has actually changed from day to day, but looking back, you're really impressed.
 

Which moments from the last few years at Local Brand X do you look back on with particular fondness?

For me, the move from the rather cramped conditions in our old office on Lerchenberg in Mainz to the new and much larger premises at the beginning of 2022 was definitely a highlight. I still remember the mountains of moving boxes that were stacked up to the ceiling and filled the entire old office. It was also really great to experience the spirit of optimism back then. It was only then that you really realized what it actually meant and I was able to visualize our growth for the first time.

Apart from that, I think all the company events are really great. Everyday office life can be a bit stressful here and there and the events give you the chance to get to know people outside of your day-to-day work. These team events help me in particular to get out of the role of supervisor and have a relaxed chat with colleagues.
 

And when you're not working, how do you like to spend your free time?

I spend as much time as possible outside of work with my family and my children and generally try to pass on a lot to my two daughters. I also enjoy making music, playing electric bass and tinkering with my computer. I can completely switch off and relax with all these things.

Thank you very much for the nice interview Joscha and we hope that many more highlights will follow for you at Local Brand X!