Meet the Team: Aidan
None of what is happening at Bloom would be possible without the incredible team behind it. With our Meet the Team Series, we are introducing the individuals who are working hard to make all of this possible.
We kicked off the series with Josh, Director of Business Development so now let's meet the second team member in our series, Aidan, our web application developer:
Where were you born and raised, Aidan?
I was born in San Antonio, TX but raised in Lincoln, NE.
What do you miss most about your hometown?
Lincoln, NE has around 250,000 people. A charm of a city that size is that there are a few experiences that feel similar to the ideal of “Small Town America” but without the problems of living in a real small town. Husker Football Game Day is one of those experiences. Fans flood into Lincoln’s downtown and dominate downtown culture for the weekend. It was a transformative event for the city in a way that a larger city, without a football uniculture like Seattle, lacks. A faint part of me misses that experience.
What do you love most so far about Seattle?
I enjoy the music scene, the hikes nearby and being able to wear outdoor apparel casually as a fashion statement. I also enjoy having discernible landscapes that aren’t endless fields of corn.
What is your role at Bloom?
As a developer, I build the Bloom platform and provide Shopify storefront support to our clients. When developing our platform I like to place myself in the position of our winery clients in order to meet their needs.
Favorite part about working at Bloom?
I love the challenges of navigating this industry’s requirements and solving unique problems that matter. Every day I learn something new and am challenged in ways I never can expect. It’s exciting, even a bit addicting.
I appreciate that what we do helps not only larger enterprises, but also helps small businesses working on bootstrapped capital to thrive and realize their goals and dreams.
What do you want to improve most about the DtC wine industry?
As an industry, our digital tools should have the same consideration put into their design as the Direct-to-Consumer sales experience. Winery staff have a lot to think about in the competitive DtC world, but the behind-the-scenes online experience shouldn’t and doesn’t have to be one of them.
Now that Web technologies have improved in their robustness and responsiveness, we have a real opportunity to create a seamless, integrated DtC and eCommerce platform that helps wineries save time and focus on the winery’s craft and customers.
Outside of “Bloom hours”, what’s your favorite way to spend time?
I do some running, some crossfitting, work on side projects, tell myself I’m going to try reading more tonight, and go to a few Meetup groups for topics I’m interested in.
What wine region is currently at the top of your bucket list?
Piedmont, no question. One of the five international vacations that I’ve resolved to embark upon within the next decade: inhaling margarita pizzas while and chugging Nebbiolo.
What’s your new favorite wine varietal?
Grenache for reds and Riesling for whites.
Favorite wine & food pairing?
Semi-sweet Riesling with a habanero-laced chorizo breakfast burrito is, in my opinion, the finest American wine pairing you can find and is my go-to comfort pairing.
Do you have a motto or personal mantra?
Progressive output, always. Big goals are comprised of little ones that build on each other. Find those goals and execute on them every day.
OK quick answer!
Podcast or book? Can I answer audiobook?
Texting or talking? Talking
Invisibility or super strength? Invisibility
Cake or pie? Pieeeeee
Star Wars or Lord of the Rings? LotR
Tea or coffee? I’m obligated to say coffee given my dependence on the office’s espresso machine.
Ocean or mountains? Mountains; the oceans here are too cold! If I lived in a warmer climate I’d surf every weekend though.
Climb a mountain or jump from a plane? Climb a mountain
Ninjas or pirates? 忍者
Would you rather be a tiny elephant or a giant hamster? A giant hamster, probably
Photo by Mara Dillinger
