Who is PDCflow? Meet Dawn Updike

Employee professional development is an important – and valuable – part of running a business. At PDCflow, we take pride in growing our team and Marketing & Sales Manager Dawn Updike is proof that doing so is worth the investment.

In her ten years with the company, she has held many positions and her list of accomplishments continues to grow. Who is PDCflow? Meet Dawn Updike.

How has PDCflow helped you in your career development?

I just celebrated my 10th year with PDCflow and it has been quite a journey for me professionally. This company has been very good to me. Every person I have worked under has helped me to grow as a professional. They have mentored me and allowed me to learn and grow with the company.

I started out as an administrative assistant when our company only had about 6 employees. Since then, I’ve expanded my knowledge and was given the space to grow into each promotion I have been given.

I will always be grateful to the many great people I have worked with here and what each person has contributed to my career development.

What has been your favorite experience at PDCflow?

I’ve had many fun and enjoyable experiences at PDCflow both when I worked in the office in Ogden, Utah and since moving back to Michigan and working remotely. I think watching the company and the software evolve to what it is today gives me the most satisfaction. I feel proud to be a part of such a great team of people and to be a part of putting a great product out into the world.

Out and about in Kalamazoo

Graduation day for her youngest

What is on your wish list for the future with PDCflow?

I would really like to see a greater expansion into other verticals. We started out of a need to provide secure payment processing for third party collections, but our product has evolved so much. We could help many different verticals, engaging with their consumers in many different ways.

Our FLOW Technology is really the star of our software. Businesses can include multiple business transactions in one secure workflow. These transactions can include payments, eSignatures, documents and photos. The possible use cases for healthcare, consumer goods and services, credit unions, call centers, and even expansion in debt collection – especially pre collect services – are exciting. Getting the message out to those decision makers is my number one priority.

You’ve been working remotely for PDCflow since 2012. Now that our company has gone to a remote first policy, what do you like and dislike about working remotely?

When I first started as a remote worker in 2012, I really thought it wouldn’t be a long term solution and I would find a new job in Michigan eventually. But I loved it right away. I found I was much more productive and focused working from my home office. I really began taking on more and more responsibilities after I became a remote employee and was able to more efficiently manage my growing responsibilities.

The drawback is not getting to know my fellow teammates in quite the same way. Since I worked in the office my first two years, I had established relationships with people, so that helped my transition a lot. But as you can imagine, the company has grown and as new people have been hired in, unless I’m working directly with them, I don’t get to know them that well.

You are located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. What do you like most about living in that area?

I love all the lakes, especially being so close to Lake Michigan. We usually take an annual trip or two to northern Michigan and visit the various small towns along the Lake Michigan shoreline. And the fall colors with all the trees in Michigan - my favorite time of the year.

Kalamazoo is a great place to live. We have a bustling downtown with great breweries, craft distilleries, and restaurants. I hope all of them can survive the pandemic and continue to remain open. We also have wonderful bike trails. My husband and I enjoy getting out on our bikes quite often and taking advantage of the trail system that sprawls throughout western Michigan.

What TV shows have you binge watched during quarantine?

I didn’t watch Tiger King. I tried the first episode, but I found it too depressing and couldn’t watch further. However, I discovered Schitt’s Creek during quarantine and gleefully watched all 5 seasons. Looking forward to watching the final season.