Favorite Parts Of Working In The E-Commerce Industry As An Account Manager
Aaron enjoys the constant "innovation" in the e-commerce industry, citing Wish's "discovery-based model" as an example, and comparing its forward-thinking nature to the field of neuroscience. The industry's accessibility for those from non-traditional backgrounds, requiring understanding of "unit economics" and "profit margin," also appeals to Aaron, who values the collaborative aspect, maintaining contact with past colleagues from Walmart and Jet.
E-commerce, Retail, Innovation, Business, Neuroscience
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Aaron Tsai
Account Manager
Wish
Pomona College, 2017
UCLA Anderson, MBA (2025)
Biology & Related Sciences
Apparel, Beauty, Retail & Fashion, Technology
Sales and Client Management
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. The e-commerce industry is constantly innovating, offering diverse shopping experiences and various subsets within the field. This makes it an exciting area to work in.
2. The speaker highlights the social aspect of the job; he enjoys his colleagues and maintains contact with former coworkers, suggesting a positive work environment.
3. E-commerce can be a good entry point for those with non-traditional backgrounds interested in business, providing opportunities to apply basic economic concepts like profit and loss, unit economics, and profit margin.
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your industry?
In terms of e-commerce, it's a new branch of retail in general. There's a lot of innovation happening, especially if you enjoy shopping and want different shopping experiences. E-commerce is a great field to be in with many different subsets and ways companies are innovating.
For example, Wish uses a discovery-based model where the experience is driven by browsing, not just search. Your product feed is curated based on your browsing history, clicks, and purchases. Other platforms like TikTok and Instagram are taking a more social or video e-commerce approach.
A lot of innovation is still happening in this space. I sometimes relate it to neuroscience, which is a newer subset of biology and felt innovative. I wanted to be in that sort of future-looking industry.
Many of the people I've worked with are great, and I still keep in touch with some previous coworkers from Walmart and Jet. If you're in a similar situation, trying to go into business from a non-traditional background, e-commerce could be a great industry.
It's beneficial to understand basic economics, unit economics, profit and loss, or concepts like profit margin. I think it's a great starting industry if you're looking for that trajectory.
Advizer Personal Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsaiaaron/
I like chai (please send recs!): https://www.instagram.com/trysomechai/
I play violin (if you need someone to play at an event, let me know!): https://www.groupmuse.com/musicians/7139-aaron-tsai