CEO describes vision on hiring and the genesis of a remote team

John Eckman, the CEO of 10up, shares the foundational vision and principles behind the company’s approach to hiring and team structure in this insightful discussion on remote work life. From the inception of 10up, the mission was clear: seek out the most qualified talent globally and devise a way to collaborate with them, a departure from the traditional agency model that often prioritizes local offices. Drawing from personal experiences, both Eckman and co-founder Jake Goldman recognized the pitfalls of the hub-and-spoke model, where a central office may inadvertently create a hierarchy, leaving remote employees feeling like second-class citizens. Their commitment to avoiding this division led Jake to establish 10up in 2011 with a revolutionary stance—being fully distributed from day one. This decision laid the groundwork for a company culture that prioritizes inclusivity and equal experiences for all team members, regardless of their physical location. By embracing remote work as an integral part of their DNA, 10up has fostered a collaborative environment that taps into the global pool of talent, challenging the traditional norms of agency structures.