Today we’d like to introduce you to Christin Baumgarten
Christin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
If you had told me 10 years ago that I’d be working remotely from Bali as the Operations Manager at one of the world’s leading email management tools, I wouldn’t have believed it. My career journey has been anything but conventional, but every twist and turn has played a role in shaping who I am today.
My background is in marketing. Early in my career, I worked as a Promotions Manager, overseeing various offline marketing campaigns. At one point, I wanted to expand my skill set at an advertising agency in New York. But it wasn’t meant to be: my plans fell apart when my visa application was denied.
What felt like a major setback at the time turned out to be a defining moment. It led me to Bali, where I not only started an internship at Mailbird but also met my now husband.
Mailbird, back then, was a young startup that had been around for just about two years. Its sleek design and time-saving features were already winning over users, and being part of such a fast-growing company was so energizing.
As many people working at startups know, you wear many hats in the first few years. I was no exception. From marketing to operations, I gained firsthand experience across different departments, so I got to understand how all the pieces of a business fit together. This exposure laid the foundation for the role I hold today.
As Operations Manager, I now use those experiences to help our teams work efficiently. My certification as an Online Business Manager has further enhanced my ability to streamline workflows and manage projects. Early on, I didn’t know that I’d thrive doing this. Had I not had the chance to experiment, I might have never discovered this facet of myself. I’m grateful that my managers recognized that potential and encouraged me to pursue it.
Looking back at the past 10 years, it’s great to see how both I and Mailbird have grown. The journey wasn’t what I planned, but it brought me to where I was meant to be. I’ve had the privilege of growing alongside Mailbird as it became a household name in email management.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road hasn’t been without its challenges. Like many others, I’ve faced insecurities and moments of doubt throughout my career.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that you don’t need to be perfect in order to be successful. We’re all human, and understanding that “we all just cook with water” helped me embrace my imperfections. So I’ve learned to acknowledge and grow from my weaknesses, rather than letting them hold me back.
In my role, I juggle many responsibilities, and that can be overwhelming at times. To manage this, I’ve focused on identifying areas where I feel passionate and can truly excel. This approach has boosted my confidence and allowed me to perform at my best.
I also learned just how important it is to be open to your team. Managing a project or a launch may come naturally to me, but that’s not the case for everyone. So I’ve become more intentional about communicating my strengths and being proactive in offering support to others when needed.
Pursuing my Online Business Manager certification has also helped me overcome challenges. It gave me even more clarity on my core values, showed me where I could improve, and made me better at what I do. You navigate insecurities more easily when you focus on your skills but also remain open to growth.
These struggles have ultimately shaped me into a more resilient and self-aware leader, and I’m grateful for the growth they’ve inspired along the way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As an Operations Manager at Mailbird, I make sure all the elements within our company integrate and that things run smoothly. I manage projects, keep the teams aligned, set goals and optimize processes – and also coordinate all our product launches.
Having a bird’s-eye view of the entire operation allows me to connect the dots between different departments and ensure we’re all moving cohesively toward our objectives.
Before transitioning to operations, I worked as a Marketing Manager. That’s how I discovered my passion for project management. I realized I had a natural ability to oversee complex projects and ensure they run efficiently. With the encouragement of my manager, I fully shifted my focus to operations. It’s where I feel that I can best use my strengths.
What I love most about my work is the dynamic and problem-solving nature of big projects. I often compare it to assembling a massive puzzle—you start by sorting through the pieces, organizing them, and putting them together to meet deadlines and achieve goals. Of course, this process often has its challenges, but it’s incredibly rewarding to see everything come together.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how I’ve helped simplify the way we launch features and products. My number one goal was to improve the collaboration between our departments and help our teams discover new ways they could support each other. This plays a key role in ensuring smooth operations. Plus, it makes our product launches more successful and easier to implement.
What sets me apart is my ability to balance the big-picture strategy with the small details that make a project successful. Aside from that, I’m often told that my approachable and supportive nature make me a strong team member.
Mailbird has been remote from day one. Our team has 30 people spread across the entire world, and it’s rare that we all get together in one place. So I’ve always done my best to contribute to our healthy remote company culture. Whether it’s guiding a teammate through a challenge or finding ways to better work together, I’m always open to helping others.
This combination of strategic focus and team-first attitude defines my approach to leadership and operations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.getmailbird.com
- Instagram: @mailbirdemail
