Josh McCarter has been leading Booker Software since 2010. McCarter has been in the technology industry since the early days of the internet and has been focused on the wellness industry since his initial involvement with SpaFinder in 2002. He is passionate about using technology to improve business and consumer experiences and most recently has been focusing on how changes in marketing automation and in payments can benefit small and medium
businesses (SMBs).

What is the toughest decision you have had to make at your company?

We have had to part ways with staff when our business changed strategically and there was no longer great alignment with what those people were doing. This is always very difficult, but sometimes necessary to move the business forward.

Do you or your company support any particular causes or charitable organizations? If so, who and why?

We have been working with our customers in areas impacted by recent hurricanes to waive their subscription fees and help them get the space they need to get back on their feet. We care about the long-term success of our customers’ businesses so we wanted to support them as much as we could in this very sensitive time. We have heard that seven out of 10 small businesses close after a natural disaster and we wanted to try to change those odds for Booker users.

What is your secret to keeping life in balance and enjoying the journey?

I always preach work/life balance to our employees and try to live that by example, as well. We do not praise employees for working 100-hour weeks and not taking vacation. In fact, it is quite the opposite. We want people to take time off with their friends, families, or with their favorite charities so that they can recharge and invest in things outside the office that are important to them.

How and where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in everything around me – my family, my co-workers, and in my industry. Also, living in New York City, which is so vibrant and has become the second largest technology hub in the United States, provides a multitude of ways to be inspired.