As a Client Onboarding Manager, Kristen Duran oversees a group of Houzzers who help home professionals to set their businesses up for success using the Houzz Pro marketing and business management software. Outside of work, Kristen loves to cook and has been finding inspiration from the official Houzz Cookbook! She also enjoys traveling and can’t wait to get out and explore the world again.

How did you hear about Houzz? 
I’ve used Houzz for years to inspire my own home design. A few friends who worked for Houzz shared great stories about their experiences, so when I saw that a role had opened up for a team working with home professionals, I was immediately drawn to it.   

What did you do prior to Houzz? 
I started my career in recruiting and then moved into business development. Ultimately, I decided that I wanted to be more involved in customer-centric activities, so the role of a Client Onboarding Specialist at Houzz seemed like the perfect fit. 

What does a Client Onboarding Specialist do? 
Our goal is to help home professionals learn and implement all of the tools on the Houzz Pro platform that can help them grow and manage their businesses. 

What is your favorite Houzz Pro feature? 
The Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner tool is by far my favorite! It is an amazing way for home professionals to fully immerse their clients into their design. There are so many capabilities. You can quickly create floor plans by scanning wall dimensions through our mobile app, add features like vanities, islands and appliances, and customize styles, finishes and materials.

What do you enjoy most about working with home professionals? 
I enjoy helping pros to get their business out there in front of homeowners. It’s nice to be able to play a part in their success. Houzz Pro has so much to offer in helping pros to stand out and manage their projects efficiently and profitably, and can have such a positive impact especially on small businesses.

How has your role changed since you started at Houzz? 
I have always wanted to move into a leadership position, particularly one that involves learning and development initiatives. A little under a year into my role, I had the opportunity to apply to become a manager. I love that I get to shape and foster my team’s growth by supporting them in their daily activities, creating webinars to help them further their understanding of the product and offer feedback on their conversations with home professionals to ensure that we’re providing the best experience for our customers. 

What do you like most about working at Houzz?   
I love being a part of the home improvement industry but as a company, something that stands out is that there is so much room for growth at Houzz. There’s a very clear direction and promotion path. We also have an amazing work/life balance. 

What qualities best reflect your team? 
My team is highly motivated and super collaborative. Even though we’re such a diverse and unique group of individuals, we work very well together. 

What time of day are you most productive?  
Definitely the mornings, which is great because our team starts at 6:30am!

What advice do you have for others looking to start a career in customer service? 
Always bring positive energy. It’ll reflect with everyone you work with and will help you to make the best of every conversation. 

If you’re interested in joining our team, we’re hiring! Check out available opportunities at houzz.com/jobs.