Siret is a true unicorn if you will. A rare creature, most sought-after on the “fields” of recruitment - a female software developer. Developers, in general, are bombarded by recruiters like they possess the Holy Grail. Imagine then an extra quality you can add to it by balancing your team's gender ratios? Nonetheless, Brainbase was successful in cutting through the noise and wooing Ms. Sarv to join them. Here's her story. 

What made you join Brainbase?

I was looking for a new challenge when a recruiter contacted me on LinkedIn. I was looking because life had become too easy - I had a so-called safe job. I was a part of the company's team that developed stuff for the state - a never ending project basically with guaranteed work. No fear of losing my job. But I felt I needed to take the leap and enter the startup world. 

But why Brainbase? 

I believe in what they - well, now it is “we” - do. I think the company will do very well. Considering I get on average a work-related DM per day on LinkedIn, there were, of course, all kinds of startups that wrote to me. But they just did not click with me. 

So what are your impressions of startup life?

I like it; there is so much freedom, you can think for yourself and make decisions yourself. In my previous job, I was involved in public procurement, which entailed a lot of bureaucracy. Everything was decided before the developer got involved. I like that in Brainbase, I can think about how to make things even better.

How do you think Brainbase is changing the licensing industry?

I don't think there is an app where everything is aggregated like in Brainbase. All different aspects and data that have since been managed in multiple Excel sheets, and god knows where. I also like the part that if I, as a private person, would like to make a t-shirt with a Disney character photo, I can easily buy a license for it through Brainbase. 

What motivates you? What makes you passionate about Brainbase?

I like the fact that I am being given more responsibilities here than I had in my previous job. I felt for years I was ready to take on more responsibility and new challenges, but it was never offered. I like that currently, for years, there´s always positive tension in the air so to speak - I don't feel like nor do I have the time to sit on Facebook during the day because there are constant challenges to be solved.   

What does a typical workday look like for you?

I try to wake up at 7.30 and go for a short run. By 9 am you will find me behind the computer. For the first half-hour, I surf around, read the news and prepare for our daily standup at 10 am. And now, as a leader of one of our missions, I make sure everyone on the team has clear tasks and knows what they're doing. After the standup, I deal with my team's concerns and questions and then get down to developing stuff myself. Often I skip lunch altogether - I do not feel like I spend enough energy sitting in front of the computer. 

Do you have any after-work hobbies/activities?

Before the pandemic, I used to travel quite a bit and practiced CrossFit. Now I try to go for nature walks as much as possible and get my 10,000 steps a day. The sedentary lifestyle has started to affect my back a little, so I need to get moving. 

Favorite place to eat, have a drink, or enjoy some culture in Tallinn?

Noblessner is my favorite, although it has turned out to be too popular and overpopulated this year. I also like Karjase bakery - fabulous food! - and Botik bar. 

Why would you recommend someone to apply to Brainbase?

There is a lot of creative freedom here for a developer. We do not have a person leading us who has thought of all things in advance. You can learn from your mistakes. So there are a lot of self-development opportunities. I also like that our team is so international. I seldom talked in English; now, it is my everyday working language.

Any upcoming projects you´re excited about?

I am very excited to work with our clients, who are big global players. And I also have some plans I want to push through - to make our development practices more efficient.

And last but not least - any books you would recommend to others? 

I highly recommend reading Alice Feeney´s "Sometimes I Lie."