How Bonfire Filled UX Roles 2x Faster and Cut Costs by 50% With Near

Founded in 2012, Bonfire initially focused on helping communities fundraise by selling custom t-shirts. Over the years, they expanded their services, allowing individuals and organizations to design and sell various custom products like apparel, tote bags, hats, mugs, and more.

However, as the company continued to grow and evolve, they encountered a significant challenge in hiring the right talent to support their expanding team. Given their success with nearshore hires in the past and the fact that their entire engineering team was already based outside the US, they decided to search for a User Experience (UX) Engineer from Latin America.

Summary

• Problem: Bonfire is a free online platform where anyone can design, sell, or buy custom products. They needed to grow their product team, but hiring in the US was getting too expensive. The salary expectations were too high in the competitive job market, even when hiring remotely in the US.
• Challenge: Bonfire struggled to find top-quality talent using traditional sourcing methods such as job listings on LinkedIn and remote job websites. They couldn't secure the right talent within their budget and preferred time zones.
• Roles Hired: User Experience (UX) Engineer.
• Why Bonfire Chose Near: They chose Near to bypass the high costs and competition of the US job market and secure top talent that fit their budget and worked within similar time zones, ensuring smooth teamwork.
• Solution: Bonfire partnered with Near to strategically access the Latin American talent pool. Leveraging Near's proven hiring process, they hired great talent who fit the company culture and had the right skills for the job.
• Results:
  • Bonfire is saving $53,000 annually (a 52% savings compared to hiring US talent). 
  • Slashed 20+ hours in the initial hiring stages, helping streamline Bonfire's recruitment process and reduce the talent-sourcing burden on department leaders. 
  • The talent acquired has been part of the Bonfire team for over two years, reflecting quality and cultural fit.

Challenge

As Bonfire aimed to grow their product team, they faced a big challenge. They needed to find top-notch candidates while staying within budget and time zone limits. Traditional hiring methods, like posting on LinkedIn and remote job websites, didn't cut it—they just couldn't find the right people. That's when they realized they needed a smarter and more dependable way to hire talent.

The Problem (Long Remote Hiring Process)

Dan, Bonfire's Director of Design and UX, had previously hired remotely from different continents, including Europe. However, the entire process usually took two to three months (or even more). 

Why the long wait? 

Finding the right people and ensuring they fit with the team was not easy.

Even though they were no rookies in the remote hiring game, Bonfire’s urgent search for a UX Engineer made it clear they needed a more effective hiring process. They were on the lookout for a process that wasn’t just faster but also budget-friendly, cutting down the usual time and effort spent on hiring without compromising on the quality of talent.

Why Bonfire Chose Near

Several key factors influenced their decision to choose Near:

• Near was a viable and easy option to hire skilled talent while avoiding lofty US salaries.
• Financial constraints were a big challenge for Bonfire.
• They were open to global talent markets, especially in Latin America.
• Latin America's skilled professionals and matching time zones made it a good fit.

Solution

Bonfire teamed up with Near to make their hiring process a whole lot easier, which was exactly what they needed. Near's proven process made finding people smoother from the get-go. 

We ensured only the best candidates, who precisely matched what Bonfire was looking for, got through. This meant Bonfire could make quick, smart choices without sorting through a sea of resumes. Our screening process went beyond assessing technical skills; it was also about finding people who would get along with the team and really fit in.

Because of this sharper focus, Bonfire didn't have to spend ages interviewing loads of people. They got to the good candidates fast, which saved them a ton of time and hassle.

We'd consider LatAm talent for all roles, especially for senior positions.

Dan Strogiy

Director of Design and UX at Bonfire

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Results and ROI

The results of Bonfire's partnership with Near were substantial. By hiring a skilled UX Engineer through Near:

• Bonfire estimated they are making an annual savings of $53,000, reaping a remarkable 52% reduction in expenses compared to hiring a comparable candidate in the US.
• The company saved an estimated 10–20 hours in the initial hiring stages, indicating a more efficient and time-saving recruitment process.

The talent acquired through Near has been an integral part of the Bonfire team for over two years, highlighting the enduring success and cultural alignment of the placement.

If you are a remote team, Near is a great way to get good quality talent for a more affordable price than a US hire would cost. Near has made it easy to find the right talent, no matter the position.

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Takeaways

Bonfire's collaboration with Near highlights practical lessons for companies looking to optimize their hiring strategies and capitalize on international remote talent:

• Cost-Effective Talent Access: Near's recruitment solution allowed Bonfire to access high-quality talent at a lower price point by exploring the talent market in Latin America, aligning with budget constraints.
• Efficient Recruitment: Near's streamlined hiring process significantly reduced time and effort in candidate selection. Our comprehensive screening focused on the most promising applicants, expediting Bonfire's decision-making.
• Long-Term Talent Retention: The fact that the person hired through Near has been with Bonfire for over two years is a testament to the quality of Near talent and how easily they can assimilate within an organization’s culture.

If you're interested in exploring the benefits of hiring international talent while achieving substantial cost savings, consider partnering with Near. Book a complimentary consultation for more information.

To learn more about Bonfire, visit Bonfire’s website.

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