Employee Spotlight: Alex Noles, Video Content Producer

Welcome to our Employee Spotlight series! With each post, we'll introduce you to one of the talented and diverse individuals on our global team. You'll get a unique look at the people behind the company, learn what working at Paperform is really like, and find out more about our company, values, and mission. So far you've met Josh Cuneo, David Weinberger, Alex Yoo, Andrew Fulton, and Jo Roque.

Meet Alex Noles, the charismatic face of our YouTube channel. With a background as a chef and a passion for surfing and the great outdoors, Alex brings a unique blend of creativity and enthusiasm to his role. He loves tech, music, and adventure, and at Paperform, he channels his diverse interests into creating great content that resonates with our audience. When he's not at work you'll find him... actually, you probably won't because he's probably climbing a mountain or trekking through the Amazon.

Can you describe your day-to-day routine?

My day kicks off early, way before the sun's up. I start with a quick check of my emails and the surf report. If the waves are calling, I'm off in my car, scouting the coast for the best surf. Post-surf, I grab a coffee on my way back home.

Once home, I make breakfast and settle into a couple of hours of work. Then, it's time to pack up and head to the office to film. Can't forget a crucial coffee stop on the way! In the office, I switch on the lights, get ready to film... and find myself sidetracked by the surf and adventure magazines cluttering my desk.

Lunchtime is either a trip to the local bakery or unwrapping a homemade treat I've brought along. The afternoon is for editing—headphones on, focused, and inevitably re-recording to fix those pronunciation slip-ups and odd eye twitches.

After work, I unwind with a sunset beach stroll or mountain climb. The day ends with a glass of red wine or a beer, a little reward for the day's hard work.

A photo from a recent trip to Waqrapukara, an Incan ruin deep in the Canyon region of Cuzco. 

What were you doing before you joined Paperform?

Working 60, 70, and sometimes 90-hour weeks as a chef. Making beautiful things, but being burnt out!

Why did you join Paperform?

I joined Paperform for the freedom it offered. My previous career as a chef was intense, with long hours and a high-stress environment. I'd work non-stop for half the year, just to earn enough time off to travel and unwind.

During my downtime, I found myself getting into web development, creating websites, landing pages, and online hubs for friends, family, and a few clients. I've always been a bit of a tech nerd and loved doing this more for the enjoyment than the money. Eventually, I realized it was time to put the knives away and dive deeper into the tech world.

Which one of Paperform's values do you care about the most?

Compassion and Kindness stand out for me. It's rare to find these traits so deeply embedded in a company's culture. I've been super lucky in my roles at Paperform, getting to help our users achieve their goals and do amazing things.

This spirit of compassion and kindness isn't just a motto; it's actively practiced, especially in our team. You can see it in the way everyone, especially our Customer Support team, goes the extra mile to genuinely support and care for our users.

What's your favorite thing about working at Paperform?

Seeing an idea take shape and the ability of our content team to turn that idea into something both useful and engaging. We start with brainstorming content ideas and then collaborate to bring those concepts to life.

I'm also a big fan of the Paperform platform itself. One of the perks of being a Paperform employee is that I get to build things with an epic tool.

And I can't deny the appeal of working remotely. I love the surf and I don't wear a watch, so time can get away from me. It's great to have that flexibility.

Alex enjoying a bit of R&R during Paperform Retreat 2022.

What's the best part about working with your team?

The support, 100%. Whether that be support on projects or telling me that I'm looking good today. Seriously, everyone I work with lifts me up, and I strive to do the same for them.

How would you describe the culture at Paperform? Is it different from other jobs you've had?

The culture is centered around support and personal growth. Here, you're encouraged to continually learn and evolve, not just in your professional role but also as an individual. There's a genuine sense of teamwork and mutual support. I know my team has my back and is ready to help whenever I need it, and I'm always there for them in return.

What's your favorite Paperform feature?

Answer Piping. It's so easy to use and just makes sense in its implementation. A lot of other platforms tend to overcomplicate this feature. Why? It's a simple concept and doesn't need to be made to seem overly complex. Paperform gets it right by keeping it simple and effective.

What's your favorite Paperform integration?

It's a tie between ClickSend and Notion for me. Notion, because I'm a huge Notion nerd. ClickSend, because with just Paperform and Clicksend, you can build yourself a crazy powerful automated communication system.

What do you like to do when you're not working?

I'm all about mother nature—you'll find me surfing, hiking, or capturing the beauty of nature through my camera lens. I also love building portfolio websites for photographers and travelers. It's a nice blend of my interests in technology, creativity, and adventure.

• 🍔 Favorite food: Oh this is an evil question. I'd have to go either a lamb roast with Mum's crispy potatoes, or any seafood—the fresher the better.
• 📚📚 Favorite book: Another impossible question. I love The Modern Explorers by Robin Hanbury-Tenison, but there are too many to choose from.
• 🤸‍♂️ Favorite weekend activities: Surfing, hiking, and cooking. Any weekend that includes all three is happy days.
• 🍿 Favorite movie: Inglourious Basterds. Surfs Up. Lord of the Rings Return of the King. The Great Dictator even. Too hard, next!
• 🏝️ 3 items you'd take to a desert island: A surfboard, an axe, and mixed seeds for a veggie patch.