Slicehost Summit 2008

September 29, 2008

Before the trip, I was unsure what to expect. A few doubts rattled around in my head. Perhaps we would not get along like we had online; Maybe it would not be much fun; Maybe I would trip and knock over the server racks like stacked dominoes, one after the other, before finally hitting the last rack, it slowly falling to the floor with a loud, dull thud.

Any doubts I had dissolved almost as soon as I hit the ground in STL. Jason, his wife, Paul and Mike met me in front of the office and we got some dinner at a local sports bar. I was a little intimidated. These are people I highly respect and had not met. We chatted and talked about ourselves a bit, and it didn’t take too long for the initial awkwardness to fade away. These were the same people I’ve worked with, just with faces and voices.

Paul Tomes (PickledOnion)

Chris MacGown

The next day we met at the office in the morning, and I had a chance to meet Chris and Matt. Matt brought bagels and coffee, saving me from the horrible hotel breakfast.

The office itself was much larger than the original photos I had seen led to believe. The hallway is long, lending amplification to Matt’s clopping shoes as he came in each morning. Local employees do not work on traditional desks, but kitchen tables with marble tops. Each “desk” has a large Dell monitor for one to plug into. For the week I sat at the end, sharing a desk with Chris MacGown. Up the stairs are a couple empty desks at which to sit, but I preferred to be in the mix. “The attic” was a quiet place to work. Finally, at the end of the office just beyond the desks is the conference area with a large white couch, two odd red chairs that remind me of lipstick, and the TV. Large plate windows opened up the office to a lot of available light, but with the building across the street there was never any direct sunlight from that side.

Matt Tanase

Tony Dolan

What struck me most about working in the office with everyone was how natural and familiar it felt. Despite the difference in communication format, we got on like we normally did.

In most corporate environments the sense of hierarchy hangs thick in the air. You know who your bosses are and what they expect of you. You must look busy at all times, even when it isn't conducive to your task.

The Slicehost culture is a welcome contrast to such drudgery.

Mike Bradley

Tony and me working at around 11pm

The trip was an absolute success. It gave us a chance to meet face-to-face and to have a bit of downtime as a group. It also solidified my appreciation for my job. Before the trip I was happy as a clam, now I am a part of a family. Satisfaction with a job is fine, but my newfound zeal is invaluable.

Today, October 1 2008, is my one-year anniversary with Slicehost. Even after an entire year, the excitement of working with these guys has not faded. It gets better every day.