Stephanie Ma joined Upside's Strategic Account Management team earlier this year after building her career across merchandising, business operations, and strategic partnerships. That range of experience shapes how she approaches her work today, and how she sees Upside's culture from the inside.

Q: What brought you to Upside?

Stephanie: After spending much of my career in retail/retail tech, I was drawn to Upside's mission of helping brick-and-mortar businesses thrive in a digital world while empowering people in those communities with more purchasing power. In learning about Upside, I was really impressed with how rigorous and transparent they are in their data-driven business model and felt like it was a place where I could learn as well as make an impact.

Q: What do you love most about Upside's culture?

Stephanie: One thing that has really stood out to me is how willing people are to both teach and learn from one another. People are generous with their knowledge, while also being open to feedback, new ideas, and different perspectives.

As someone who joined the company six months ago, I've been incredibly grateful for how much time people have invested in helping me get up to speed. That combination of support and openness creates an environment where everyone can continue to grow and do their best work.

Q: How did your career path lead you to Account Management?

Stephanie: I began my career in merchandising, where I discovered how much I enjoyed building relationships with partners and using data-driven strategy to drive profitable growth. As my career evolved, I found myself drawn to roles where I could collaborate strategically with businesses to explore new growth models. That passion for combining relationship-building with strategic problem-solving is what ultimately led me to partnership and account management roles.

Q: What do you think makes you unique as a team member?

Stephanie: One of the things I value about my career journey is the variety of perspectives it has given me. I've had the opportunity to work as a merchant, a business operator, and a strategic partner, which allows me to understand challenges from multiple angles. I can bring empathy for the day-to-day realities of running a business while also thinking strategically about how to create new opportunities for growth. I think that ability to connect different perspectives helps me build stronger partnerships and develop solutions that are both innovative and practical.

Q: What are your hobbies outside of work?

Stephanie: Outside of work, I love traveling and exploring new places. Before having kids, my husband and I spent six months traveling through 13 different countries, as we've always enjoyed discovering new cultures together. Now with two young kids, our adventures look a little different, but we're always looking for new places to explore as a family.

Q: Is there something you've always wanted to learn?

Stephanie: I grew up in Hong Kong, and one thing I wish I had fully mastered was Cantonese. While I've always felt connected to my culture, I wish I had become fluent growing up so I could more fully preserve that part of my heritage. It's something I still actively practice today (and have plenty of opportunities while exploring Chinatowns throughout NYC!).

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