So much writing about great companies comes from founders. But some of the most revealing and thoughtful stories we’ve heard over the years have come from someone else entirely — the early employees who were in the room for everything, but rarely get asked to tell their side. 

In our new essay series, “Firsthand,” we partner with early employees to tell these inside stories in their own words. 

We’re launching the series with Mishti Sharma, Head of Narratives at Clay.

Sharma joined as employee number ten. The morning she signed her offer letter, it felt like she was admitting defeat. She hoped to pursue journalism and filmmaking, and instead, was joining a B2B data company to write about cold email. 

Three years later, she’s still there. Her essay is about why — and what happens when a company finds uniquely talented people and builds roles around their skills, rather than shoving them into job descriptions.