Joining Focus BC: A Look Inside the First Weeks with Joana and Filipe

Starting a new job is always a bit of a rollercoaster. There’s excitement, curiosity, and of course, a few nerves. At Focus BC, we don’t have a rigid onboarding program or a formal checklist. Being a small and close-knit team means the process is more personal, more flexible, and shaped around each individual.

Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, we focus on making sure every new team member feels welcomed, supported, and gradually empowered to contribute in their own way. It’s about creating space to learn, ask questions, and feel like part of the team from day one.

In this article, two of our team members share what those first few weeks were really like. From navigating new responsibilities to discovering the company culture, they talk about what helped them settle in, and the moments that pleasantly surprised them.

Meet Joana Balhé, Administrative and Financial Assistant

Joana Balhé joined Focus BC as our new Administrative and Financial Assistant, stepping into a role that connects deeply with many parts of the company, from payments and document classification to contracts and reporting.

Her first few days were a mix of learning and hands-on observation. On her first day, she sat down with Managing Partner, Nuno Serra, for an overview of how Focus BC operates. This included not only the financial and administrative side but also the company’s broader product and process landscape. The next few days, she shadowed Sandra Nunes, who previously held the role, gaining valuable insight into the daily workflows. After that, her onboarding shifted to a remote rhythm with regular check-ins, always supported by the team.

“There was a lot of information to take in at the beginning, but Sandra and Nuno made everything feel smooth and manageable. I learned step by step and always felt supported throughout the process.” Joana Balhé, Administrative and Financial Assistant at Focus BC

One moment that stood out was a simple team lunch. It was not a formal welcome or anything elaborate, just a quiet meal with colleagues. But it helped her feel part of the group right away. She was trusted to take on real responsibilities from the start, not just watch from the sidelines. For Joana, the values of flexibility, empathy, and collaboration were clear in the way people communicated, offered support, and helped her grow into the role.

Meet Filipe Santos, Sales Executive

Filipe Santos joined Focus BC as a Sales Executive for Virtual Venue, one of our flagship products in the sports and event management space. With a strong background in client relations, he came in ready for a new challenge, and he found one that matched both his ambition and curiosity.

From the beginning, the onboarding felt smooth and productive. While there was a lot to learn, especially around the product and client landscape, Filipe appreciated the simplicity of the process and how naturally things unfolded. What stood out most to him was how approachable everything felt. The tools, the workflows, and the people were all accessible, which made it easier for him to focus on learning.

He began by working closely with Managing Partner, Vasco Pinheiro, who leads Virtual Venue’s football accounts and new business outreach. That hands-on support in early client calls and pitches helped him get comfortable with the product and gradually build autonomy.

“The product really caught my attention from the start. So it felt like starting almost from scratch, which is exactly the kind of challenge I was looking for.” Filipe Santos, Sales Executive at Focus BC

After four years at his previous company, he knew it was time for something new. He took time to research the opportunity and did not make the decision lightly. But once he got to know Focus BC and the product, he decided to take the leap. Filipe sees Virtual Venue as a powerful and differentiated product that brings real value to clients like UEFA, CONCACAF, FIBA, and he is excited about the opportunity to take it even further.

Being part of a smaller team has also helped him settle in quickly. While he is still getting to know the day-to-day routines, he has already met most of the team and felt welcomed from the start. Whether at the office or online, communication has been open and easy. The transition into a new role can be overwhelming, but here, he has found a space where learning is encouraged, support is always available, and growth feels possible from day one.

New beginnings are exciting. Joana and Filipe’s stories reflect something we deeply value at Focus BC: making people feel seen, supported, and part of something meaningful from day one. We are proud to create an environment where that transition can be both challenging and rewarding.

We are not actively hiring right now, but we are always open to meeting curious, motivated people who connect with what we are building. If you are interested in joining us in the future, feel free to send a spontaneous application here!