Thanks to Michael for writing a great farewell post on the Bronto Blog.
Giving Blood
Read an article about Kelly's dad and Kelly's involvement in the upcoming UNC Blood Drive:
I finally donated for the first time ever yesterday.
Donating blood did not get personal for (Kelly Stowe) Boggs (my wife) until March 29, 2006, the morning a woman fell asleep at the wheel of the SUV that crossed the centerline and crashed head-on into the SUV driven by her father, Carl Stowe.
I finally donated for the first time ever yesterday.
My First Phone Call As A Bronto
Back in the day, Bronto wasn't very good with new employee orientations. Most of the hires came on board during the salad days recieved the "Here's your laptop, here's your phone, bathroom's down the hall, sodas are in the fridge, let's make it happen." orientation - especially the new employees that worked with or for me.
(Nowadays, we actually have an orientation program that eases our noobs into the organization through a series of planned activities. Yes - this makes me a little jealous.)
I don't recall the specifics of my orientation to the company, except that I started on a Monday and Chaz declared that I would be on the phone trying to do deals that Friday morning. So I spent my first week learning our product, shadowing both Joe and Chaz, and doing my best to not look like an idiot.
When Friday came around, I was feeling pretty good. I had watched Joe and Chaz make calls and felt like I could replicate what they were doing. Plus, I knew that I would start out by calling through a massive list of companies that have already said that they didn't want to buy Bronto, so I didn't really have anything to lose.
That Friday morning, I milled around for a bit trying to find reasons to not make that dreaded first cold call, just like countless sales professionals before me. After piddling around for a while to identify my first target - which ended up being a local golf course - I finally manned up and made the call. It went down as follows:
Obviously - they didn't call me back and I got better with time.
(Nowadays, we actually have an orientation program that eases our noobs into the organization through a series of planned activities. Yes - this makes me a little jealous.)
I don't recall the specifics of my orientation to the company, except that I started on a Monday and Chaz declared that I would be on the phone trying to do deals that Friday morning. So I spent my first week learning our product, shadowing both Joe and Chaz, and doing my best to not look like an idiot.
When Friday came around, I was feeling pretty good. I had watched Joe and Chaz make calls and felt like I could replicate what they were doing. Plus, I knew that I would start out by calling through a massive list of companies that have already said that they didn't want to buy Bronto, so I didn't really have anything to lose.
That Friday morning, I milled around for a bit trying to find reasons to not make that dreaded first cold call, just like countless sales professionals before me. After piddling around for a while to identify my first target - which ended up being a local golf course - I finally manned up and made the call. It went down as follows:
Golf Course - (Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring.) Hello - you have reached Blah Blah Golf Course, blah blah...
Eric - (Sweet! I'll just leave a message.)
Golf course - ....after the beep. (Beep!)
Eric - Hello. This is Eric Boggs, calling from BrontoMail - a local email marketing software company. Blah blah blah. You can return my phone call at... ...
(Covers mouthpiece)
Joe! What's our phone number?!
(Joe looks at me like I'm an idiot, smiles, and writes our phone number on the whiteboard.)
Our number is 919.806.4421. Thanks.
(Hangs up.)
Obviously - they didn't call me back and I got better with time.
Finding Bronto
I REALLY wanted to work for Red Hat when I was a starry-eyed, job-searching senior at UNC in 2001/2002. I recall thinking that the company seemed "cool" and appreciating how it had built a business around the open source concept. (How does a company sell free software?!?)
After submitting my resume through the UNC career services office and, I presume, passing the initial resume screen, I interviewed with the company in February 2002. I was interviewed by a newly-minted Kenan-Flagler MBA, Chaz Felix. I don't remember much about the interview, other than feeling really nervous and Chaz asking me a question about Red Hat's competition:
I managed to muddle my way through the conversation such that I felt pretty good leaving the interview. Per my Kenan-Flagler undergraduatebrainwashing training, I emailed a "thank-you for the interview" note to Chaz after the interview. His reply:
(Yes - this and the others are screenshots of the actual emails.)
Unfortunately, I didn't hear from the company after a few weeks, so I emailed Martha in HR. (Not sure why I didn't email Chaz.) She replied saying that Red Hat has decided against hiring for their MBA Associate Rotational Program. I remember thinking that it was not a good sign that they weren't hiring MBAs - surely they weren't hiring undegrads either. I replied saying that I wasn't an MBA student and that I was interested in the Analyst Rotational program. Sure enough, I got my ding.
(Based on the ~350% increase in share price between then and now, I should have just sunk my life savings in the company and left it at that. But I digress...)
Through a pretty funny set a circumstances that I'll perhaps detail later and (mostly) good luck, I ended up getting a gig working full-time for the Kenan-Flagler IT department as a Computer Consultant. However, I never gave up on my Red Hat ambitions.
After emailing a few folks in Red Hat HR and keeping tabs on their website, I got word of a career fair. I didn't qualify for any of the positions that they were trying to fill, but that didn't matter to me - I had an "in" with my "relationship" with Chaz Felix. So I took a half-day and rode over to Red Hat HQ in Raleigh to make something happen.
Unfortunately, it turned out that the career fair wasn't one of the "show up and work the room" type. They had a gatekeeper that screened your resume and asked you a few questions at the door. If you were legit, you made it in. If you weren't, you made the walk of shame back out the door.
Obviously, this was sub-optimal - my resume was a joke. (It actually listed that I was proficient in MS Office, among numerous other pedestrian software applications.) So I gave it my best shot:
So that was pretty embarrassing, not to mention a waste of a half-day.
Once I figured out that I would be there for a while, it didn't take long for me to realize that I hated working at Kenan-Flagler. I loved my co-workers, but hated the job and the "state employee" mentality. So, I trolled the career listings daily in search of my escape.
One fateful afternoon in the Spring of 2003, I came upon a "Sales and Marketing Associate" position for BrontoMail, Inc. The hiring manager was none other than Chaz Felix. My email exchange with Chaz:
I interviewed with BrontoMail that Friday. I showed up at their "offices" in Meridian Parkway and waited around until "they" showed up - I didn't know what to expect. After I had milled around in the lobby for a few minutes, Joe and Chaz popped out of the elevator - Chaz in shorts and a t-shirt and Joe in his trademark white-button down, jeans, black belt, black socks, and black shoes. (Some things never change...) Chaz says "Hey - there he is!" and away we went.
The interview went down at BrontoMail's "Headquarters", which was actually an over-sized utility closet. Seriously - it was an interior room with no windows and a few small desks. The first thing I remember thinking to myself was "Where am I going to sit?"
I don't remember very much from the interview. I recall trying to focus the conversation around my efforts to start Aerea Consulting, a home/small business technology "consulting" (read: home wireless router installation) company a few friends and I were trying to get off the ground. I quickly realized that extreme "start-up-iness" at BrontoMail, so I figured they would appreciate the experience. Plus, talking my way into after-hours home tech support gigs with Kenan-Flagler faculty and staff comprised the extent of my sales experience, so I had to let it ride.
It seemed to work. Later that day, I had the gig:
We met that Monday and I joined the team. A few thoughts/memories:
- I knew I would accept the position when they offered to meet at Pepper's Pizza on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. Either we connected subconsciously such that they mysteriously knew that I loved Pepper's or they picked up a hint I must of dropped in the interview. Regardless, any friend of Pepper's was/is a friend of mine.
- They quick turnaround was a mistake on their part. For one, it scared me. "Are they desperate? Do they know what they're doing? Is this a real business? Am I going to get paid?" For two, it gave me a (small) sense of leverage in the "negotiation". Thus, I felt validated asking that they at least match my Kenan-Flagler salary - which they didn't at first, but did by the end of the first slice. Though the difference was only a few grand, it meant a lot to me because Kelly and I were going to married a few months later and had already booked a fairly pricey honeymoon in St. John, U.S.V.I.
- After a single interview, I had an offer to take a position for which I had very little relevant experience. I was lucky because Bronto doesn't hire like this any more. Having made a few (hilariously bad) mistakes with shake and bake hires in the past, Bronto now requires that applicants. interview with at least 3 or 4 people at least 3 times before we will even considering offering them a job.
- Deciding to work at Bronto turned out to be one of the smartest decisions I've ever made.
More about my time at Bronto later this week.
After submitting my resume through the UNC career services office and, I presume, passing the initial resume screen, I interviewed with the company in February 2002. I was interviewed by a newly-minted Kenan-Flagler MBA, Chaz Felix. I don't remember much about the interview, other than feeling really nervous and Chaz asking me a question about Red Hat's competition:
2001 Chaz - Which of the following do you think competes with Red Hat - HP, Compaq, or IBM?
2001 Eric - Uhhh. IBM?
2001 Chaz - Why?
2001 Eric - Uhhh. Because they are a services-based company? They compete with Red Hat for large scale enterprise implementations?
2001 Chaz - Exactly. At Red Hat, we blah blah blah...
2001 Eric - (Sweet Jesus. I can't believe I was right...)
I managed to muddle my way through the conversation such that I felt pretty good leaving the interview. Per my Kenan-Flagler undergraduate
(Yes - this and the others are screenshots of the actual emails.)
Unfortunately, I didn't hear from the company after a few weeks, so I emailed Martha in HR. (Not sure why I didn't email Chaz.) She replied saying that Red Hat has decided against hiring for their MBA Associate Rotational Program. I remember thinking that it was not a good sign that they weren't hiring MBAs - surely they weren't hiring undegrads either. I replied saying that I wasn't an MBA student and that I was interested in the Analyst Rotational program. Sure enough, I got my ding.
(Based on the ~350% increase in share price between then and now, I should have just sunk my life savings in the company and left it at that. But I digress...)
Through a pretty funny set a circumstances that I'll perhaps detail later and (mostly) good luck, I ended up getting a gig working full-time for the Kenan-Flagler IT department as a Computer Consultant. However, I never gave up on my Red Hat ambitions.
After emailing a few folks in Red Hat HR and keeping tabs on their website, I got word of a career fair. I didn't qualify for any of the positions that they were trying to fill, but that didn't matter to me - I had an "in" with my "relationship" with Chaz Felix. So I took a half-day and rode over to Red Hat HQ in Raleigh to make something happen.
Unfortunately, it turned out that the career fair wasn't one of the "show up and work the room" type. They had a gatekeeper that screened your resume and asked you a few questions at the door. If you were legit, you made it in. If you weren't, you made the walk of shame back out the door.
Obviously, this was sub-optimal - my resume was a joke. (It actually listed that I was proficient in MS Office, among numerous other pedestrian software applications.) So I gave it my best shot:
2002 Eric - Hi. I'm Eric.
Red Hat Guy - Hi, Eric. Do you have a copy of your resume?
2002 Eric - (Clears throat.) I'm here to see Chaz Felix.
Red Hat Guy - (Smiles while scanning my resume.) Chaz doesn't work here any more.
2002 Eric - ...
Red Hat Guy - Thanks for your interest.
So that was pretty embarrassing, not to mention a waste of a half-day.
Once I figured out that I would be there for a while, it didn't take long for me to realize that I hated working at Kenan-Flagler. I loved my co-workers, but hated the job and the "state employee" mentality. So, I trolled the career listings daily in search of my escape.
One fateful afternoon in the Spring of 2003, I came upon a "Sales and Marketing Associate" position for BrontoMail, Inc. The hiring manager was none other than Chaz Felix. My email exchange with Chaz:
I interviewed with BrontoMail that Friday. I showed up at their "offices" in Meridian Parkway and waited around until "they" showed up - I didn't know what to expect. After I had milled around in the lobby for a few minutes, Joe and Chaz popped out of the elevator - Chaz in shorts and a t-shirt and Joe in his trademark white-button down, jeans, black belt, black socks, and black shoes. (Some things never change...) Chaz says "Hey - there he is!" and away we went.
The interview went down at BrontoMail's "Headquarters", which was actually an over-sized utility closet. Seriously - it was an interior room with no windows and a few small desks. The first thing I remember thinking to myself was "Where am I going to sit?"
I don't remember very much from the interview. I recall trying to focus the conversation around my efforts to start Aerea Consulting, a home/small business technology "consulting" (read: home wireless router installation) company a few friends and I were trying to get off the ground. I quickly realized that extreme "start-up-iness" at BrontoMail, so I figured they would appreciate the experience. Plus, talking my way into after-hours home tech support gigs with Kenan-Flagler faculty and staff comprised the extent of my sales experience, so I had to let it ride.
It seemed to work. Later that day, I had the gig:
We met that Monday and I joined the team. A few thoughts/memories:
- I knew I would accept the position when they offered to meet at Pepper's Pizza on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. Either we connected subconsciously such that they mysteriously knew that I loved Pepper's or they picked up a hint I must of dropped in the interview. Regardless, any friend of Pepper's was/is a friend of mine.
- They quick turnaround was a mistake on their part. For one, it scared me. "Are they desperate? Do they know what they're doing? Is this a real business? Am I going to get paid?" For two, it gave me a (small) sense of leverage in the "negotiation". Thus, I felt validated asking that they at least match my Kenan-Flagler salary - which they didn't at first, but did by the end of the first slice. Though the difference was only a few grand, it meant a lot to me because Kelly and I were going to married a few months later and had already booked a fairly pricey honeymoon in St. John, U.S.V.I.
- After a single interview, I had an offer to take a position for which I had very little relevant experience. I was lucky because Bronto doesn't hire like this any more. Having made a few (hilariously bad) mistakes with shake and bake hires in the past, Bronto now requires that applicants. interview with at least 3 or 4 people at least 3 times before we will even considering offering them a job.
- Deciding to work at Bronto turned out to be one of the smartest decisions I've ever made.
More about my time at Bronto later this week.
Kenan-Flagler
I mailed my deposit to Kenan-Flagler yesterday. So that's that - I'm going (back) to UNC. (As if it were ever really in doubt...)
School starts in early August. Can't wait.
School starts in early August. Can't wait.
Gaston Gazette Article Featuring Kelly's Father
The Maw Maw Sessions
This is my grandmother, Catherine Maude Rhyne Boggs Postell. (We just call her Maw Maw.) Among her many talents - which includes cooking macaroni and cheese, mowing her lawn, keeping her home oppressively warm, and exhorting me to wear warm clothes - music is the chief.
Maw Maw can't "play" the piano, per se. She's never had formal training and she can't read music. However, she can bang out hymns like nobody's business. She learned to play by ear as a child and has continued to play throughout her life. In addition to her work on the keys, Maw Maw also has a natural knack for singing the alto line that I've only recently come to appreciate.
In 2000 (?), I took my 4-track recorder to Maw Maw's house and had her lay down a few tracks. Naturally, she elected to perform a few gospel numbers. I had her record on her Lowry organ, both because of the churchy quality and because, as far back as I can remember, her piano has never been in tune.
After recording Maw Maw's vocal/organ tracks, I went back home and embellished the tracks with guitar, harmonica, percussion, and vocals. The finished - and admittedly humorous - recordings are below. I hope that you'll enjoy!
I'm Satisfied
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
More recently, I recorded some footage of Maw Maw playing at my parents' house. My wife Kelly, aunt Cathy, aunt Rhonda, and (unfortunately) I make up the choir. Check out the video on YouTube
.
I Got In
Many of my loyal readers and friends know that I have spent the past few months applying to business school. For some, I just let the proverbial cat out of the proverbial bag...and hopefully answered any lingering "Why does Eric look so tired?" or "Didn't Eric wear that yesterday?" questions.
I'm happy to report that I've been accepted at UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School. I'll hear from other programs in the coming months. Suffice it to say that getting the first admit takes a huge weight off of my shoulders.
So that's that. I start business school sometime this fall. I'll do my best to keep the MBA posts to a minimum between now and then.
Eric
I'm happy to report that I've been accepted at UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School. I'll hear from other programs in the coming months. Suffice it to say that getting the first admit takes a huge weight off of my shoulders.
So that's that. I start business school sometime this fall. I'll do my best to keep the MBA posts to a minimum between now and then.
Eric
The Plunger
Kelly’s first apartment was a dump. From the 3 inch crack between the front door and floor to the toilet that never flushed to the view (and scent) of the dumpsters outside her bedroom window – the place was a much like Tom Hanks’ home in the “The Money Pit.” I guess that’s just the way it is with apartments in college...
One magical day, Kelly’s toilet was functioning properly. Then, it wasn’t – if you catch my drift.
The unfortunate situation necessitated a trip to the 7th Circle of Hell – the Wal-Mart at New Hope Crossing in Durham.
As we entered the store, we discussed how neither one of us wanted to scavenge Wal-Mart for a plunger, parade to the register with our bounty, plunk it down (just the plunger, mind you), swipe our debit card, and walk out the proud owners of the latest clear-plastic-handled, bell plunger.
So, we decided to make a game of it – whoever found the plunger wouldn’t have to buy it; the "non-finder" would have to endure a walk of shame while bearing the humiliating symbol of plumbing misfortune.
Once we agreed on the terms, the race was on.
If my memory serves correctly – and both Kelly and my mother will attest to the fact that it always does - I found the plunger. We raced through the store yelling and squealing like two 8 year olds. I was in the lead, because I’m faster, because I knew where the hardware section was, and because I really wanted to see Kelly buy a plunger. Meanwhile, Kelly played it cool and just tried to keep up.
The decisive blow came when she began to follow me, but on the opposite end of the aisle. Once I spotted and raced towards the unwanted prize, she was already there because it was closer to her end of the row.
I bought the plunger. We still have it.
One magical day, Kelly’s toilet was functioning properly. Then, it wasn’t – if you catch my drift.
The unfortunate situation necessitated a trip to the 7th Circle of Hell – the Wal-Mart at New Hope Crossing in Durham.
As we entered the store, we discussed how neither one of us wanted to scavenge Wal-Mart for a plunger, parade to the register with our bounty, plunk it down (just the plunger, mind you), swipe our debit card, and walk out the proud owners of the latest clear-plastic-handled, bell plunger.
So, we decided to make a game of it – whoever found the plunger wouldn’t have to buy it; the "non-finder" would have to endure a walk of shame while bearing the humiliating symbol of plumbing misfortune.
Once we agreed on the terms, the race was on.
If my memory serves correctly – and both Kelly and my mother will attest to the fact that it always does - I found the plunger. We raced through the store yelling and squealing like two 8 year olds. I was in the lead, because I’m faster, because I knew where the hardware section was, and because I really wanted to see Kelly buy a plunger. Meanwhile, Kelly played it cool and just tried to keep up.
The decisive blow came when she began to follow me, but on the opposite end of the aisle. Once I spotted and raced towards the unwanted prize, she was already there because it was closer to her end of the row.
I bought the plunger. We still have it.
Houston Patterson
My friend Houston Patterson died 8 years ago this June.
I met Houston when he was 7 and I was 6. We played on the Dallas Yankees t-ball team. Houston was the best player on the team and played first base.
He had this killer move at the plate. He would position his body like he was going to hit the ball to left field and then wait until the defense shifted in anticipation of a rocket shot to left field. Once the fielders moved into their positions, Houston would shuffle his feet and drive the ball to right field - where no one was standing. Unstoppable! Even as a 7 year old!
We played baseball together from that time all the way through high school. Houston played centerfield, hit lots of doubles, and liked to show off his shotgun arm. (Note that I did not say "rifle arm" as that would connote accuracy.) I sat on the bench, got a few lucky hits, and played with some great players and on some great teams.
Shortly after his death, Houston's parents, Rick and Joyce Patterson, started a scholarship fund in Houston's honor. (My sister was actually the first recipient of the Houston Patterson Scholarship.)
Every year, Rick and Joyce put on an alumni baseball game to raise funds for the scholarship. This past weekend marked the 7th game. My line?
- 3-5 - 2 screamers in the gap, one blooper hit. (Still trying to re-capture my Year 6 form in which I hit a 3-run homer.)
- 3 runs scored.
- One whiff so hard that my back still hurts.
- One great backhanded stab on a grounder up the middle. (The firstbaseman dropped my throw. Good times.)
- One double play turned off a grounder to my brother Evan at 3rd base. Boggs, Boggs, Summey - not quite Tinkers, Evers, Chance.
- Countless laughs and memories with the friends I grew up with.
- One somber inning played in Houston's centerfield position.
I met Houston when he was 7 and I was 6. We played on the Dallas Yankees t-ball team. Houston was the best player on the team and played first base.
He had this killer move at the plate. He would position his body like he was going to hit the ball to left field and then wait until the defense shifted in anticipation of a rocket shot to left field. Once the fielders moved into their positions, Houston would shuffle his feet and drive the ball to right field - where no one was standing. Unstoppable! Even as a 7 year old!
We played baseball together from that time all the way through high school. Houston played centerfield, hit lots of doubles, and liked to show off his shotgun arm. (Note that I did not say "rifle arm" as that would connote accuracy.) I sat on the bench, got a few lucky hits, and played with some great players and on some great teams.
Shortly after his death, Houston's parents, Rick and Joyce Patterson, started a scholarship fund in Houston's honor. (My sister was actually the first recipient of the Houston Patterson Scholarship.)
Every year, Rick and Joyce put on an alumni baseball game to raise funds for the scholarship. This past weekend marked the 7th game. My line?
- 3-5 - 2 screamers in the gap, one blooper hit. (Still trying to re-capture my Year 6 form in which I hit a 3-run homer.)
- 3 runs scored.
- One whiff so hard that my back still hurts.
- One great backhanded stab on a grounder up the middle. (The firstbaseman dropped my throw. Good times.)
- One double play turned off a grounder to my brother Evan at 3rd base. Boggs, Boggs, Summey - not quite Tinkers, Evers, Chance.
- Countless laughs and memories with the friends I grew up with.
- One somber inning played in Houston's centerfield position.