Fun Friday: Meet Amir Shaikh
Amir is a business developer who has joined the Platform team in San Francisco. He’s an East Coast native who has an unashamed love for Fresca and all things tech. This week please help me welcome Amir Shaikh to the team in San Francisco!
Hello! Thanks for doing this interview! Can you introduce yourself?
Sure thing! I’m Amir Shaikh, recent east coast transplant to San Francisco. I’ve been in Boston for the past few years doing my undergrad at Boston College and moved to SF the week after I graduated. Things that I love include tacos, great stories, new music, and fresca.
First, can you take a minute and let us know what you do at SoundCloud?
I work on the Platform team as a Business Developer. That means I connect with developers who are interested in integrating SoundCloud features (like sharing) directly into their apps, help them through the integration process, and manage their relationship with SoundCloud. I also work with the entire Platform team to make sure we have the best possible resources for our awesome developer community.
You are working from the San Francisco office is that correct? What do you love most about San Fran?
Yup! San Francisco is the city of beautiful views. When you first get here the hills can be a bit daunting until you realize how often you’re stopping to admire the scenery. After that, from the tech scene to the food scene, I think people here live with passion in a way I’ve never seen before. It’s absolutely inspiring.
How did you get introduced to SoundCloud and what do you love most about it?
I first came across SoundCloud when a friend posted a track on Facebook. Obviously the big orange play button and the waveform were standouts, but the timed comments blew me away. It was one of those rare ideas that was absolutely brilliant and completely accessible at the same time. I knew it was something special.
What are your favourite Sounds on the cloud?
Always a tough question, but recently I came across a German label called City Slang that I’m absolutely loving. These two tracks are the tops right now.
Can you give us a few reasons why it is great working at SoundCloud?
This goes back to what I said about San Francisco, but I’ve always loved that idea of living a life of passion. Everyone I’ve met at SoundClould is working on something they genuinely care about, is nurturing incredible hobbies outside of their jobs, and are always striving to find more ways they can better both themselves and SoundCloud. It’s a rare energy to be around and I feel super lucky to be part of it. Also the ping pong table 5 feet away from my desk is a nice perk.
Finally, do you have any fun facts about yourself that you would like to share?
I have a pretty unique way of sitting on the floor. It looks indian style at first glance but you sit with one leg on top of the other instead of crossed together. It looks totally natural but most people have a really tough time doing it. Also I’ve moved 7 times in my life, hoping to hangout in the Bay Area for a bit longer than my usual.
Where can we find you on the interwebz?
http://soundcloud.com/amir
http://twitter.com/amirshake
Sweet! Thanks Amir!