TopSpot Team Member Spotlight: Stephanie Sykora

Our latest Team Member Spotlight highlights Stephanie Sykora, one of TopSpot’s Web Designers. Stephanie has been an important part of TopSpot’s Team for nearly a year and a half and is described by Team Members as a kind and well-organized person to work with. We’re proud to introduce you to an integral member of the TopSpot Team and our latest Team Member Spotlight, Stephanie!

Meet Stephanie Sykora, TopSpot Web Designer

How long have you been working at TopSpot, and what do you do here?

I’ve been working as a Web Designer at TopSpot since June 2018. This is my first job since graduating from Texas A&M University in May 2018. 

As a Web Designer, I use a variety of design tools including Figma, Sketch, and Adobe CC Programs to create new web designs for TopSpot’s clients. I work closely with our Project Managers, our Customer Relationship Teams and each individual client to design websites that are modern, easy-to-use, and fully responsive. Most importantly, they represent each business and showcase what makes them unique within their industry.

Here are a few of my designs that have recently launched:

What is your proudest achievement at TopSpot?

My favorite part of my job is getting to interact with clients and truly see how my designs are impacting their businesses. 

Just last week, I presented a new homepage design to a client who works at a small, family-owned business. Halfway through my presentation, she stopped to tell me that she loved the design and it was making her tear up looking at it. She wanted a new website that better represented her small business and their unique capabilities and the fact that I was able to convey this visually in the new design really meant a lot to her.

I also recently found out that another client has seen a significant increase in quote requests coming from their website right after my newly designed website for them went live. All my design efforts, along with the optimization efforts of their Customer Relationship Team, were worth it in the end and the client was appreciative of our help.

What do you like most about designing websites for B2B and industrial companies?

My favorite part of working on B2B and industrial websites is the knowledge I gain from each different client I work with – I learn something new every day! In the past year at TopSpot, I’ve worked on over 30 web projects and have gotten to learn all about custom shades and shutters for windows, different types of steel plate processes, automatic sliding and revolving door systems, the importance of lightning safety in building construction and more! All things I never expected to come across as a designer. Who knows, maybe one day this knowledge will come in handy during a trivia night. 

Each client gives me a new perspective on the world in some way, and I begin to notice things that I’ve never paid attention to before. 

During my orientation when I first started, I remember learning that TopSpot’s first client, Bison Profab, makes Traffic Control Enclosures (amongst other things) and now I can’t stop at a red light without looking at the enclosure and thinking of Bison. It’s small things like this that I’ve never would have wondered where they came from before, but now, thanks to Topspot, I know all about it. 

Describe your perfect day outside of work.

My perfect day off would have to include an adventure with my friends or family. If the weather was nice out, we’d probably take a short road trip to a Texas State Park and spend the day hiking and exploring. I love exploring new places, and I can often be found traveling with a camera in my hand trying to capture the adventure (even though the photographs never do it justice.) 

If I’m not outside, there’s a good chance I’m at home baking desserts to share with friends or playing a board game (Sushi Go is my fav) with my boyfriend, Aaron. Sometimes it’s just nice to stay at home and spend quality time with those closest to me.

Tell us about your recent experience visiting the Google campus.

This past May, my family took a vacation to California. We spent a little over a week road-tripping all over the state. We started in LA, then spent a few days in Sequoia National Forest and Yosemite National Park. Our final stop was San Francisco, but we couldn’t resist making a short detour to visit the Googleplex in Mountain View, CA on our way there. It’s cool to say I’ve been to the Headquarters of Google, especially since TopSpot and digital marketing, in general, is so heavily involved with all things Google. My favorite part of the campus visit was the Android Statue Garden: they have a bunch of Android statues that represent each version of the Android Operating System, and they’re all sweets themed – it’s a great TopSpotting photo op!

What advice would you have for prospective TopSpot Candidates?

My advice to prospective candidates would be to go ahead and apply, and then to come in with an open mind. 

When I applied, most of my previous experience was in print design rather than web, and I had no digital marketing experience. However, I came in with an open mind and the amount of knowledge I’ve gained since I started is incredible! I’m so much more confident in my digital design skills now as well as my knowledge of the vast world of digital marketing. 

If you’re passionate about good design and want to work at a forward-thinking digital marketing agency that is constantly giving you opportunities to grow your skillset, then TopSpot is the place for you. We’d love to have you on our team!

Here are a few things Stephanie’s Team Members have to say about her via our internal “Cheers” platform, TinyPulse:

Every time we are client-facing I am so impressed by your ability to guide all conversations. You are so articulate, confident and kind that I know all our clients have complete confidence in your abilities as the designer of their new website. Thanks for all you do!

I love working with Stephanie!!! She is always on top of everything and comes to meetings completely prepared and always 15 minutes early. She is calm in her demeanor and exudes positivity from her excitement in the work she is doing! She demands a room with her presentation skills and I am always so impressed by her performance.

Thank you for always sharing your processes to stay on top of tasks, and also (a couple of weeks ago) for sharing with all the team your tips on how to drive a successful client design review! You just make our team stronger every day!

Want to join our team and work with talented people like Stephanie every day?

We’re Hiring!