Innovating Communication Across the World: Conrad Smits '17

Alumni Office (A): Can you introduce yourself?

 

Conrad Smits '17 (C): My name is Conrad Smits and I graduated from Breck in 2017.

 

A: Tell us about your recent move and starting your new position at Firsty.

C: I moved in February from New York to Amsterdam, a move I’ve been wanting to make for quite some time. I always had this idea of going back to Europe at some point, and everything lined up very well with the opportunity I found here, so I took it, and everything's been going great. I have a good amount of friends that I kept in contact with as I lived in the US, and what's nice about that is that a lot of my friends now are either finishing their Master's programs or starting work here in Amsterdam, so it's been good getting to reconnect with them. I started at Firsty in February and have just been doing a lot on the commercial and marketing side of things. The Firsty app gives global travelers a free mobile eSIM so they can stay connected around the globe. Everyone at my company is quite young, so that makes it fun. Every day is a new day and super dynamic. 

A: What are some of the projects that you've been working on?

C: I’m quite proud of one of our announcements about our partnership with Europe's Famous Hostels. We're launching a pilot with them here in Amsterdam for one of their hostels called CLINK Hostels. The reason I'm proud of that is, ultimately, I was able to sell them on the idea of Firsty as a value add to their customers. Obviously, a lot of hostel goers are traveling on a budget, so Firsty fits in nicely with the free proposition. It also provides fast mobile internet at a very compelling price. Other than that, another project that I'm spearheading right now is building out our affiliate platform.

A: What got you interested in working for Firsty, and what kind of platform are they?

C: In November, I was working for a smaller company that has offices in New York called Edge 226 that focused on app growth. We were programmatic advertisers for apps, and our bread and butter was to increase the number of users for our clients, not just focusing on getting people to download the app but also completing an action within the app. By having worked in that industry, I got in contact with Vince and Gauthier, the founders of Firsty. I met them in November in Amsterdam, and as we kept in contact, they would tell me more about the company and how the app was progressing. They had set the Firsty's launch in January, and the more I talked to them, the more conviction I had about the company's potential. So, I told them, “Hey, listen, I would love to come and help.” I joined on as sort of an intern in a contract position and now the role has become more solid and long-term. It's been a fun ride so far, and it's been great because I've joined as Firsty launched, and I've been able to see it grow. I love being at a company that has a B2C product and is doing something disruptive in the telecommunications industry by offering free mobile data.

A: What lessons did you learn at Breck that you're using today?

C: When I joined Breck my freshman year, I think it was the biggest class Breck had seen until that point. We had a graduating class of 128. So, just meeting new people and making new friends and how you go about that is a lesson I carried with me in college and as I moved here to the Netherlands. Putting yourself out there and trying new things is something that I took up at Breck that I definitely still carry with me today because you never know what kind of doors it will open for you.

A: Have any teachers, coaches, or staff members at Breck had a positive impact on your life?

 

C: Two teachers that come to mind right away are Ms. Scherer, who taught me English my senior year, and Rob Johnson, who I took a film class with, which definitely sparked my interest in film. I love movies, and to this day, I love watching different kinds of films and reading about them. He also definitely inspired an interest in religion for me. I still think about them today because they were so down to earth, and they always made sure to make their classes fun and interactive. I have a lot to thank them for in terms of my curiosities around film and literature. 

A: Thank you so much for making time, Conrad.

 

Conrad currently resides in Amsterdam, creating further innovations for Firsty.