For the first installment of our eP interview series, we welcome our long-time client and friend, Josh Walter, CEO of BrandJump — an eCommerce agency providing home furnishings manufacturers with a full-scale team across merchandising, content, and online retail sales strategy.
Tell us about BrandJump. What's the origin story?
"BrandJump evolved from a more traditional sales agency working between home furnishings manufacturers and brick-and-mortar retailers. My co-founder and I realized there was a very different need for manufacturers when it came to selling online — we built the entire BrandJump model around filling those needs. For example, manufacturers struggled to understand how to sell on Wayfair, so we recruited people from Wayfair who could bring that expertise. We've continued to find ways to meet needs like that for nearly 11 years."
What are the current challenges and opportunities?
"We're small but mighty — and being our size allows us to be nimble and evolve alongside the evolution of work itself. There's a sort of forced innovation required to stay relevant in this industry, which means things are never boring. The boundless opportunity in eCommerce also presents the challenge of staying focused: with so many paths to pursue, we have to spend our time on what will bear the most fruit."
How did BrandJump transition to 100% remote?
"Half of the BrandJump team had always been remote. When we sent the in-office half home in March 2020, within a few months we decided we'd stay remote indefinitely. We already had KPIs to measure output rather than presence. We took a survey and the overwhelming majority wanted to stay remote permanently — so we did it. The reaction from the team has been extremely positive."
Does being fully remote help with talent acquisition?
"In a word: YES. Candidates specifically mention it as a huge benefit. Our team comes from retail and eCommerce — hot spots for these industries exist, but being remote means we can recruit the best talent regardless of where they're located. It takes away the X-factor of uncertainty about where someone needs to be for work."