Career growth gets clearer when you know what actually matters to you.
Chris Schmicker, VP of Marketing at AfterShip, is in a season of building — not just leading marketing for a fast-growing company, but doing it in an environment shaped by values, alignment, and a clear sense of what kind of work (and life) he wants. That perspective didn’t come from following a linear path. It came from learning to think more intentionally about where he could do his best work.
In this conversation, Chris shares why your next opportunity shouldn’t be a solo search, how staying open to unexpected conversations can shape your career, and why knowing where you’ll do your best work matters more than most people realize.
Wellth: Tell us a bit about your role, and what excites you most about it.
I joined AfterShip to lead marketing under our CEO and founder Teddy Chan. AfterShip makes shipping, tracking and returns software used by top retail brands like Alo Yoga, Mejuri, Away, Dime Beauty, Bylt and more.
What excites me most is the kind of company I get to build inside of after years at large corporations. The exec team is very values-aligned and refreshingly free of politics and drama. We're a remote-first company across North America, but I made a point to fly out and meet the team in person before signing — actually flying from Hawaii to Las Vegas and back in 24 hours during a vacation to meet everyone at Shoptalk. There's no substitute for face time when you're deciding whether a new job is a fit.
It's also my first time working at an Asia-headquartered company, which feels like a happy return for me — I grew up in an Asian American family in Hawaii, studied Mandarin in college, and spent a semester at Beijing University in China.
Wellth: What’s one money move that helped you get here?
Don't search for your next opportunity alone. Build a team to support you through it.
During my job search I spun up a small team inside Claude Cowork that I genuinely couldn't have done this without: a career therapist trained on who I am as a professional and a person, and who gave me honest assessments of fit beyond title and comp; a chief of staff who managed my calendar and inbox; a business analyst who pressure-tested the strengths and weaknesses of every company I spoke with; and an interview coach who churned out prep guides and hyped me up before each call.
Once the search wrapped, I packaged the whole thing into a reusable skill anyone can spin up for their own search. Message me on LinkedIn and I'll gladly send it your way!
Wellth: Who was the first person in your world you told about the new role, and what was their reaction?
My husband. His reaction was relief — mostly because it meant he wouldn't have to listen to me process career frameworks at the dinner table anymore. Which, see above: building an agent team is also a kindness to your partner. Save your spouse from having to be your career therapist.
Wellth: What's one value or principle that guides you in your career?
Always take the call. My career path has not been linear — I've pivoted industries and functions several times over the years. You never know where your next chapter is going to come from, so when a recruiter reaches out, don't overthink it. Take the intro call. And if the opportunity isn't right for you, make a real effort to refer someone in your network instead. We gotta pay it forward!
Wellth: How do you celebrate your wins, whether big or small?
I'm a big believer in marking the happy moments — don't let them slip past without a dinner out with friends, or for the bigger wins, a trip somewhere to reset your mind before the next exhausting chapter starts. And don't forget to send out thank-you gifts to the professional references who vouched for you — they put their reputation on the line for you.
Wellth: What advice would you give someone looking to follow a similar path?
Take real time upfront to think about what you actually want out of your career — not what looks impressive on paper, but where you'd be best used as a person. I've wasted time in the past chasing shiny objects that turned out to be wrong fits, and the gap between "prestigious role" and "right role" can be huge.
Have the courage to pursue what you want, even if it isn't what others would strive for.
