Conversations with Cantilever: JT Fridsma

Conversations with Cantilever: JT Fridsma

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s Conversations with Cantilever! We’re spotlighting Creative Technologist, JT Fridsma!


Getting Started 

JT grew up in the strip-mall suburbia of Central FL. After living in NYC for a few years, he spent time in Austin, TX, and has since settled in Chattanooga, TN.

His background is in Graphic Design and he moved to NYC post-grad, where he started out in the marketing arm of the design team at Grooveshark, a now-defunct music startup. This was his intro to digital design when he only knew how to code a Myspace page at the time. It was an environment that actively fostered technical innovation, which fascinated him!


Enter Cantilever: Growth within the Company

JT met Cantilever CEO Ty Fujimura through an extended familial connection. Cantilever was small but looking to bring a designer on board.  Ty knew of JT’s experience and reached out to offer him part-time work. Over time their working relationship strengthened and JT eventually became an official employee! He now holds the title of ‘Creative Technologist’.

After a few years at Cantilever, JT was trained on the job in frontend development. He says: “The space between design and development brings me a lot of satisfaction, and as I grew as a developer I was entrusted with more complex tasks that have focused on creative interfaces and experiences. From there I rather naturally fell into the Creative Technologist role I’m in today.”


Why Cantilever?

“It felt like a great fit all around. I’ve mostly worked in small startup work environments where things need to happen fast and people need to wear multiple hats to get things done. The position was remote, which gave me professional stability at a time when I wanted to be more mobile, and the work culture in general is very empowering, which attracts other awesome people from around the world who I really enjoy working with every day.”


Favorite Part of Working for Cantilever?

“Working remotely with a fun and diverse group of awesome and talented people! I’m a really big fan of our weekly company ‘campfire’ call where we’re allowed to talk about anything at all *except* work – it’s a simple way for us all to stay connected despite being a fully remote team.”


Benefit of Cantilever’s Culture and Remote Work

“ A most recent benefit came when I broke my foot in a climbing accident last summer. After resting in the first couple weeks of recovery, I was able to continue working even when I was still largely immobile. Thankfully I’ve healed up well, but I know that at other companies that may not have been possible, and it would have been a risk to my employment and financial security. Cantilever was willing to help me in any way possible, which made recovery so much easier than it might have been otherwise. I hope that’s an example that few to none can ever relate to when it comes to the benefits of remote work and a great company, but it’s one that meant a lot to me!”


Thank you JT for being a valuable part of the Cantilever team! Any other remote workers out there who also sing the praises of their companies and remote work flexibility? Sound off in the comments!

Rebecca T.

Executive Director at Spark+Echo Arts

1y

JT Fridsma is also an incredible teacher. I've learned SO MUCH from him!

Ty Fujimura

CEO, Cantilever Web Design + Development. Element451 fractional exec. Dad and soccer nerd. Amateur NYC tour guide 🗽

1y

I love working with JT Fridsma. As talented as he is thoughtful, smart, and fun. Thanks for all you do man!!

To view or add a comment, sign in

Insights from the community

Others also viewed

Explore topics