Prefer to watch the conversation or read it at your own pace?
You can enjoy this interview in the format that suits you best. Click below to watch the full video with Josep, or scroll down to read the written interview.
Watch the full interview with Josep Carrasco.
When Josep Carrasco joined Simms & Associates, the company was still in its early days. The structure was simple, the team was small, and Amanda was managing everything as the only manager at the time.
What drew him to Simms was not only his personal connection with colleagues like Jesús and Jorge, but also the vision Amanda shared about the company — a vision that, as he points out, “seven years later is still being respected”.
Coming from a much larger organization, Josep’s first impression was immediate and powerful. At Simms, he says, he stopped feeling like a number.
“You were a person within a group of people,” he explains. That shift in how people were seen — and how they worked together — marked a significant change for him. And notably, it is something he believes has never changed.
Stepping into leadership for the first time
One of the most defining moments in Josep’s journey came when the company trusted him to step into a completely new role: becoming the first team leader.
At the time, the company was growing, but the role itself didn’t yet exist. That meant not only taking on leadership responsibilities, but also shaping what leadership would look like within Simms.
“It wasn’t the usual leadership you find in established companies,” he says. Instead, it meant building processes, defining how teams would be managed, and ensuring the company culture remained intact as the organization expanded.
Looking back, he describes the experience simply: “It was very beautiful.”
Throughout his time at Simms, one constant has been the willingness of colleagues to support one another. For Josep, this sense of commitment defines how people work together.
“When you need something, there is always someone who will help you — or point you to the right person,” he explains. In an environment where no one can know everything, that shared knowledge and openness make a real difference.
Growth, flexibility and looking ahead
Josep’s professional journey at Simms has been marked by significant change. Coming from an industrial background focused on manufacturing and production systems, moving into the world of HR and consulting represented a complete shift.
“It’s a radical change,” he says.
At the same time, the move from office-based work to a fully remote environment brought a new level of flexibility — something he values deeply. Being able to better balance work and personal life, especially as his family grew, has been a defining part of his experience.
He recalls one moment in particular from his very first day. After joining the company, he shared unexpected personal news with Amanda — that his wife was pregnant and that he would soon need time away.
Instead of concern, the response was immediate and supportive.
“They told me, ‘let’s celebrate it’,” he remembers. That reaction left a lasting impression and reinforced the kind of culture Simms had built.
Despite all the changes — growth, new roles, new ways of working — Josep believes that the most important thing has remained the same: the attitude of the people.
“It doesn’t matter if we are 20 or 200,” he says. “The culture is still the same.”
Looking to the future, what excites him most is the company’s ambition to continue evolving. While Simms has built strong expertise in specific areas, he is particularly motivated by the idea of expanding beyond a single focus.
“I like that we are trying to grow and offer more options,” he explains.
To close the conversation, Josep reflects on the contribution of Michiel, who joined the company at a key moment to bring structure and organization as the business scaled. He highlights his ability to manage customer relationships and support teams effectively, ensuring projects are delivered in the best possible way.
As our 10th Birthday Series continues, we keep celebrating the people who have helped shape Simms & Associates over the years.
One story every week. One year celebrating the people behind Simms & Associates.