I love working with start-ups. Generally there are bean bags, ping pong tables, games that make me nostalgic (think Etch-a-Sketch and Rubik’s Cubes) and lots of energetic people working away. And the driving force behind it all is someone’s big idea. They’re solving a problem, helping people, and hopefully turning a profit in the process…eventually. The thing about start-ups is that the vast majority of them fail, even if they manage to get funded. So, it’s particularly exciting when a company does actually succeed. When a company has great culture and employees who are working together to support folks in their pursuit of health I can really feel the triumph and joy at their success. Today, that company is MyFitnessPal.com (MFP) whose free calorie counter app is helping over 80 million users achieve their health goals.
I first met the MFP team when I was brought in to do some photography by my awesome client, marketing maven Tara Nicholle Nelson, who was doing some contract work for MFP. By the time we did our third photo shoot at MFP, Tara had been offered the VP of Marketing position, which she accepted; she’s now CMO. MFP sees talent quickly and they were lucky to get Tara!
Tara Nicholle Nelson , VP of Marketing at MyFitnessPal.com
Our first couple shoots were in a pretty small office; I had to take folks outside to do the headshots, and working around the room to take candids was tight. Showing up to our next shoot at their new offices was pretty amazing; it was huge in comparison with tons of light, an exposed brick wall, and multiple meeting rooms. We had plenty of room to work, and room for all the new hires…things were moving in the right direction. I’ve enjoyed showing up for each subsequent shoot and seeing familiar faces; great people in a great work environment, complete with ping pong table, of course. It’s hard to believe that their first team photo had about 30 people, while the third one had more than 90 and was less than a year later!
MyFitnessPal as it grows!
Some of the headshots from our shoots are now being showcased on the MFP jobs page. These guys know that having a consistent collection headshots for a business team really adds to the polish of the website, ultimately helping empower the brand. Here are a three that are currently featured, along with the quotes from the team members about MFP. I love it that they have a job titled Customer Happiness Lead; that says a lot!
“The culture is fantastic. It’s a great, super-smart bunch of people. The projects are fun and you can go home feeling like you actually accomplished something.” – Paul, Senior Software Engineer
“The decisions we make impact so many people in a positive way. It’s pretty incredible to think about it.” – Suzanne, Product Manager
“There’s a real emphasis on member success. We know that if our members are succeeding, we’ll succeed.” – Steven, Customer Happiness Lead
The big news came last week, when it was announced that MyFitnessPal has been acquired by Under Armour for $475 million! Why is this exciting? Well, Forbes magazine writes that “In its nine years of existence the firm has amassed more than 80 million registered users for its website and app, and will see its combined user base with Under Armour grow to 120 million, in what the acquiring company calls the “largest digital health and fitness community in the world.” That’s 120 million people working together and using technology to better their lives to lead healthier lifestyles. How much better can it get? Congratulations MyFitnessPal, you deserve it!
So, I’m guessing there will be more growth at MFP; check out the jobs page and maybe MyFitnessPal.com will be your new professional home. Perhaps we’ll meet at the next photo shoot! In the meantime, download their app and join a community of 80 million folks supporting each other in the pursuit of better health!
-Nancy