CiiRUS Team Member Spotlight: Meet Samantha Longster
Here at CiiRUS, the greatest pleasure of what we do is in building relationships with customers and partners. After all, the travel and hospitality industries revolve around relationships and quality service. We’d like you to meet and get to know the amazing people behind the scenes who help make CiiRUS the leader in vacation rental software.
In this week’s CiiRUS Team Member Spotlight, meet VP of Finance, Samantha Longster. Let’s get to know Samantha as she shares some insight about herself, her role at CiiRUS, and more.
Briefly describe what your role is at CiiRUS.
My role focuses on protecting the profitability of CiiRUS and its customers by making sure money comes in and goes out on time, as accurately and efficiently as possible. I also apply finance logic to business development and customer support. I believe that’s where any business can make or lose the money in ways that can't be counted on a spreadsheet. Although my role is in finance, I help out in areas where I can apply my previous experience with contracting and support, and advise CiiRUS customers to ensure they're getting the best financial return out of their investment in our platform.
What’s the best thing about your job?
The best thing is the satisfaction I get when I finish each day feeling like I made a difference in the business, to my colleagues’ workday, and our customers' experience. I enjoy the gratification I get from being challenged and appreciated for my contribution.
What does your workspace look like?
I have a long thin workbench style desk with a laptop and two screens. My desk faces a large window looking out to the backside of my house, so I enjoy being able to look at all of the plants in the garden and the animals. I also keep my spinning bike under the desk so I can peddle while sitting, and my dog is usually under my feet as well.
What has been one of your proudest moments working at CiiRUS?
One of my proudest moments while working at CiiRUS is the day I started. When the company I worked for at the time came across hardship and closed down, CiiRUS went over and above to help me and my colleagues get past Christmas. It’s a business, not a charity, so they didn’t need to do as much as they did, but the whole CiiRUS team was so welcoming, it showed me that they cared and respected their team, not just busy chasing contracts and money like so many others. It's really a family here.
What do you like to do when you’re not at the office?
I love growing things, so I spend most of my time in my garden or my 31-acre commercial farm.
What inspires you?
Seeing both people and plants grow successfully in their environments.
What is something you learned in the last week?
I have learned all about deep well shaft parts and equipment. My deep well that I thought was 50 feet is actually 140 feet deep, and the water level is at 74 feet. It’s built with 10-foot pipes and connected with rubber bearings and a lot of other moving parts. Since the manufacturer of the well has been out of business for decades, it's going to be not only expensive but time-consuming to fix.
If you could pick one superpower, what would it be?
I would like to have the ability to travel fast. Getting to places in an instant without having to drive for an hour and then some, or having unlimited engineering knowledge, would both be a superpower that I’d love to have if I could.
How do you define success?
Success is happiness.
What are five words (or less) of advice for others in your profession?
Ask for knowledge. Give knowledge.
