Toan Thanh joins Columbia Road

I became interested in computer technology and programming after realising the unlimited possibilities, and how applying the technology made it possible to improve people’s lives.

Coming to Finland and studying Information Technology has been a life-changing experience, as I have been able to widen my knowledge in one of the leading innovation countries in Europe by doing a bachelor's degree as well as going to tech meetups and events to network with talented people.

Solving problems with numerous roadblocks that need to be tackled in short- and long-term, is an extremely interesting process that I enjoy very much. Each process teaches me something new, as well as sharpens my skills and critical thinking. I am a goal-oriented person who always strives for improvement, not only in work life but also in everyday life.

Where have you earned your spurs?

I used to work as an ecommerce entrepreneur by running a Shopify webstore. My business model was dropshipping, which allowed me to fulfil customers’ orders without keeping products in stock. I learned a lot of things along the way, such as finding the right niche, crafting customer personas, understanding what they need, launching and monitoring Facebook/Instagram ads, as well as improving the UX to increase conversion rate. 

My first pure technology job was being a front-end developer in Inspitrip - a company which creates an online platform for tourists to book local experiences, tours and activities. I had the chance to apply my front-end stack skills, and contributed to developing the existing product. Working in a cross-functional team also taught me teamwork skills and how to be agile.

In addition to studying and working, I have also built several hobby projects to sharpen my skills and to put newly learnt tech stacks and UX tactics into use. Having hobby projects is also a way for me to keep an innovative mindset and to increase motivation. At the end of the day, I always strive to be a better version of myself.

Why Columbia Road?

I had been interested in Columbia Road for some time before joining and had heard good things about the company. What really stood out to me was the company’s good atmosphere and the potential in personal growth through a multi-talented team. Furthermore, I also wish to continue my ecommerce passion by being part of the movement of changing the ways how digital commerce is done.

Sampo, what will make our clients love Toan?

"Toan is an energetic individual with solid full-stack development skills and an excellent understanding of user experience as well as marketing technologies. He is an observant listener when it comes to understanding clients’ needs, always passionate about finding the best possible solutions through taking into consideration all the different aspects of a project. Toan’s skillset, his previous business experience and passion for continuous development will help him excel in his projects," says Sampo Hämäläinen, Managing Partner at Columbia Road.

What makes your heart beat a little faster?

"Outside of work I love to do sports, especially football. I play football every Saturday evening with my friends. Playing football helps me to improve teamwork skills and my creative mindset, since I play as a midfield playmaker who looks for opportunities and assists teammates to score a goal, just like how I want to assist our clients to reach their business goals. Other than sports, travelling to new countries and trying out new things never fails to enthral me," says Toan.