My first year with TextNow: A Reflection

I’ve worked at several mission-driven startups over the years in a variety of verticals, but after working at TextNow for a year, I have to say, this is the best work experience I’ve ever had!

Every person I’ve met over the past year has been super-transparent, sharing their thoughts and feedback openly, and it’s so refreshing. Some companies have office politics, closed-door meetings, and layers of middle management, if that’s what you’re looking for, you won’t like it here. If however, you like having a voice and the ability to have impact, this is the place for you.    

When I started with TextNow back in August 2020, we had 100 employees. Since I joined, the company has doubled in size and to my amazement, our people-focused culture has flourished. Even with close to 200 employees, TextNow feels like a flat organization where you can speak with anyone in the organization at any time about anything. It’s a place where everyone works together to solve problems to achieve our mission. It’s an inclusive, non-combative, non-judgmental place where creativity and free thought thrive.  

The thing I like most about TextNow is the fact that everyone’s on the same page, heading in the same direction, supporting each other to be the best version of themselves. This stands in stark contrast to a number of companies I’ve worked at in the past where there’s constant back-stabbing, jockeying for position, and leaders who seem more interested in proving how accomplished, intelligent, and powerful they are, versus helping to support and grow a great organization.

In addition to interesting problems to solve and a focus on state-of-the-art technology, we are a truly agile environment where transparency and continuous improvement reign. The thing that really stands out for me is transparency. In addition to having a culture manual available to all our website visitors, we share engagement reports/surveys, and a diversity dashboard that shares our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion metrics publicly.  I have not seen a company this size share that kind of information before. It’s a testament to how important diversity and inclusion are at TextNow.

As for the day to day, the company literally puts its people first. I can still remember when it was suggested at an All Hands Meeting that we take a day a month as a personal day because “Covid is tough”.  Our leaders went even further and this summer, we’ve been testing out a four-day work week. That, in addition to, giving employees $1500 a year for health and wellness, and Work Best Policy that allows employees to choose if they’d prefer to work from home or come to an office.

Our recruiting team has had some great wins over the past year, but this company makes it easy for us.  Who wouldn’t want to work at a mission-driven startup that’s been profitable since its founding, has a robust product and business model that helps under-served communities and individuals communicate for free or as close to it as possible?  We know we can make the dream of reliable free phone service happen and we’ve got each other’s backs to ensure that our dream becomes a reality.

‍

If you're interested in the open roles at TextNow, be sure to check them out here.