Inside Smarty® - Acacia Warner

Acacia Warner is easily one of the most multifaceted, well-rounded, and uniquely talented people we have here at Smarty. She is an expert ice skater, violinist, and avid gamer. The most important people in her world are her family members, and she loves that her work at Smarty allows her to go home and actually be home.

So what does she do for Smarty? She writes and maintains code for our products, specifically our international suite of products.

Background

Acacia grew up knowing that she was destined for greatness. Well, maybe she didn't know, but those around her sure did. She was always enrolled in lessons of some kind, trying out different interests and finding which ones clicked.

"When I was little, I wanted to be a ballet teacher, figure skating coach, or violin teacher. I did ballet for 10 years and then switched fully to figure skating, and I started playing the violin when I was 7 years old. Now I'm here programming!

I don't dance as much anymore, though I still do Chinese dance, which requires a lot of flexibility and allows me to connect with my Taiwanese heritage. I still figure skate and play the violin. I love that my hobbies allow me to develop my creativity and artistry!"

Acacia has played her violin for us and blown us away. She's also shown off her skating skills for us at a local roller rink, and let me tell you: she's got the skills that pay the bills.

How do you stay sharp as a coder?

"I feel that a huge part of being a software engineer is keeping up with new advances in the industry. I use TLDR, a daily tech newsletter highlighting cool repos and what’s happening in Big Tech. I also think it’s super cool that Smarty sends us to developer conferences like GopherCon, which has several sessions about the Go programming language we use here at Smarty. 

Coming to work every day, programming exciting projects, and working with our awesome senior devs keeps me trained. They have a ton of experience and insight on architecting well-designed products for our users. Which is a skill I feel like I improve on as I work with them!”

What surprised you about addresses after joining Smarty?

“Addresses in different countries have different formats. For example, in Canada, the apartment number comes first in the address, but in Japan, the apartment number comes last. Formats can also change depending on what language you use! It’s been really cool to learn about different countries’ cultures through their address systems!

I think the problem space is fascinating. Addresses—who would have thought they could be so nuanced? It's exciting to work on groundbreaking products for Smarty, especially at this early stage of my career. Programming is awesome, and I love the problem-solving aspect."

What is something meaningful you've worked on?

“Getting out our V2 International Autocomplete was a significant project. It was one of the first projects I went solo on–receiving mentorship and guidance when needed from senior devs, notably the amazing Bryan Amundson. It was cool that I was given that big responsibility in my first year working full-time, and it's great to see people using it for their own address needs."

You can learn more about this upgraded version of our International Address Autocomplete by visiting the info page. Making a quality product means facing many unique challenges that require unique solutions.

"Trying to come up with the best solution is a challenge. Software always takes several iterations, but much like learning a difficult violin piece or new [figure skating] jump, it’s the persistent practice and perfection of your art that allows you to make something great."

What are some lessons you've learned at Smarty?

“Treating people as people and coming to work with an open mind allows everyone to work better together. There's a general sense that we can get through any problem together because sharing our opinions is welcome, so we see each other’s needs. This allows decisions and compromises to be made smoothly. 

Here at Smarty, we’re encouraged to think of innovative, out-of-the-box solutions. I think that’s a unique focus, and it allows us as engineers to develop creatively while still maintaining good design. 

I game with some of my coworkers after work. It's been good to get to know everyone a lot better and see my coworkers in a different setting. We're kind of goofy, which I don't see much in other companies I’ve worked for. Our CEO JO always says, ‘We take our work seriously, but we don't take ourselves seriously,’ and I totally agree. It's good work and good fun. We do creative things that help build cohesion."

What advice would you give someone just starting as a developer?

"It is easy to get discouraged, especially when you’re starting out, but there's a lot to be said about working hard in college so you can play hard when you're out. Keep working at it. Programming is a field where you have to keep up to date and be willing to keep learning and progressing. That's a little different from other occupations, but the knowledge you gain is very rewarding."

Who are you inspired by?

“My dad was the first person that got me interested in programming. He taught me all about computers when I was really young. I could open up the task manager and stop a misbehaving process when I was 8. Though he was an electrical engineer by trade, he taught himself how to code and build computers with Raspberry Pis. His obvious passion for computing and encouragement led me to where I am today, and I’m forever grateful to him.

I’m also really inspired by pioneering female computer scientists like Ada Lovelace and Grace Hopper. Ada Lovelace once said, ‘Understand well as I may, my comprehension can only be an infinitesimal fraction of all I want to understand.’ To me, the drive for the further pursuit of knowledge is critical for programming, but also in other aspects of life as well.”

Now, we can list Acacia among the great programming women of history. She’s even recently helped to work on a social media campaign directed towards programmers and how they speak. It’s energizing to read, so we had to ask her what she felt energized doing.

What are you most energized by doing?

“Programming can be grueling work, but when we finally perfect our logic and get the results we expected, that’s where I feel a rush of adrenaline and true elation.”

A true team player.

Honestly, most of us can barely walk and chew gum simultaneously. Yet, here, Acacia pirouettes flexibly through life, juggling code, violin strings, and ice skates with the grace of a digital-age Renaissance woman. She's multifunctional, reliable, and always ready for action.

The next time you effortlessly type a non-US address into a Smarty-powered form, remember: behind that seamless experience is a masterful wizard named Acacia. She's proving that in the tech world, you can be a jack of all trades and a master of fun.