Last day at Six Apart

Today was Six Apart's last day. It became Say Media this afternoon. And end of an amazing company, and a start of a new one.

A colleague said Six Apart was sort of like college. We all worked and played together, and over the years, we started bumping into alum around the city working at new ventures. We are still a group, and are having a big alum gathering later in January to all come together.

Current Six Aparters will be with Say Media, but many of those I have worked with, especially from the very early years, have already moved on. This year in particular already felt like Six Apart was morphing into a new company, and there were only a handful from the "old school days." I knew my time at Six Apart, and the great experiences I gained, were past. I am happy to say I am starting a new job in January. I'll help launch an online service in the Japan market, and am excited for this opportunity.

In January, it would have been 7 years at Six Apart, pretty much a record only a few have. I probably should have left earlier, but I was so comfortable. Six Apart provided a perfect balance between work and family responsibilities. But even more pulling was just Six Apart. I can't imagine a better work experience - being at the very beginning, stumbling through the start-up hectic days, figuring out everything as we went along, becoming incredibly close to a bunch of dedicated brilliant people, and gosh, having fun. I got to work with Japan which was a huge plus. By the time Six Apart settled into a more mature stage, it was family, my second home. I got married and had a baby while at Six Apart. I had never experienced work where I could be completely honest about who I am, including Burning Man & other crazy habits. And I was exposed to a cool world of tech which I think I'll stay in.

My last day was Six Apart's last day. It was by coincidence since the final merge date wasn't clear. How apt though; to have been there from the start, and at its very last day.

It feels right. I need something new, and I also need confidence that I can be useful at other companies. Being at Six Apart so long, I wasn't sure how to market myself, so getting positive job responses has been good for me. Still, leaving today was hard. Saying good-bye to my colleagues who are just awesome people was hard. Sure we're all online, but it's not the same as working together.

I have so many more feelings, but not sure what to say. Basically a big thank you to everyone I worked with, to the people who gave me a very unique opportunity, and to good 'ol Six Apart.