At Candybox, one of the things we are most proud of is the team we’ve built. Great work requires great people, and we think ours are some of the best in the industry.

We’re a smart, friendly and diverse group who are passionate about what we do and the people we work with. Our expertise and team spirit helps us create solutions that go far beyond the basics.

In this post, we’re highlighting one of our OGs – Marta Paddeo!

What interested you about Salesforce?

I’ve always really liked intricate systems with clear rules – kind of like languages! I either find them easy to pick up, which is satisfying, or challenging, which is enjoyable too. I think that was initially what I liked about Salesforce.

What keeps me interested is the fact that you can never know everything about Salesforce.  Basically, I just love that there is always something new to learn and keep you interested.

How did you get into consulting?

Although I have almost 7 years of experience working with Salesforce, Candybox is actually my first consulting job. 

Like many people who start off as internal Salesforce admins, I’d felt for a while that consulting was a natural step. I was looking for a change when I left my last role, and Candybox fit the bill. I love having multiple clients, and really enjoy the mission of the company and the people I work with. 

What attracted you to Candybox?

A recruiter I had a good relationship with recommended Candybox. 

Other than being interested in exploring consulting, I wanted to work at a company with other women on the team, and one that offered flexible schedules. He introduced me to Kathryn, who is the founder of Candybox, and we really clicked.

What advice do you have for people who are thinking about working with a Salesforce consulting partner?

I’d say make sure that you feel you can get along well with your consultant, because the work is very involved and can be challenging. In addition to that, make sure that you – or whoever is involved in the project – has sufficient time to dedicate to the project. Your consultant will help as much as they can, but it needs to be a shared responsibility. From what I’ve seen, lack of that positive relationship and/or lack of time and commitment are the main reasons why projects run into difficulties.

What advice do you have for people who are just getting into Salesforce?

Salesforce can open doors for so many people from different backgrounds. Don’t rule yourself out because you don’t have a technical background, you haven’t studied business, haven’t studied IT, or whatever it is you feel holds you back. 

Put your heart into it, study, ask people, try to find mentors, be present on LinkedIn. It’s an environment that has so much potential for people who are willing to dedicate the time. 

I’d also recommend taking full advantage of all the resources that are available too now. Back when I started learning Salesforce, there were far fewer resources and the ecosystem was much less developed. Now you have not only Trailhead, but local and remote groups, programs to help you get your first Salesforce role, or study for your first cert. Explore, and have fun with it!

What advice do you have for getting people who are new to consulting?

If you’re completely new to consulting, give yourself some time to adjust. There’s a lot to learn and, especially if you’re coming from an in-house role, it’s a totally different experience.

Other than that, make sure you choose your place of work carefully, because the company culture and team will make a huge difference. Know what you’re looking for and make sure you ask questions that will help you gain insight during the interview process, and pay close attention to how you feel while interviewing.

Enough Salesforce! What do you like doing outside of work?