I always wanted to build something where I could help make an impact, I didn’t know what that would look like for a long time, so I just kept the dream of starting my own business in the back of my mind. When I was 29, after working in tech for almost a decade managing a multi – million high tech portfolio launching software products to market globally for startups and Fortune 500 companies, I knew it was time to build my own company. I now help companies help launch their products to market or scale their operations globally.
Founder, Advisor, Writer, and Speaker
What were the biggest initial hurdles to building your business and how did you overcome them?
Part of also why I left my successful career was I didn’t have many female leaders around me, so I went out into community to find inspiration, and it was so great to meet so many amazing successful female leaders who are building something their way everyday, and gave me courage to follow my dreams. As I found inspiration through community, it also gave me courage to become an investor, writer, and speaker. It was definitely scary starting from the beginning, but I had this feeling in my gut it was the right time, so I trusted myself. That’s why I also started Tech Darlings, in part to give back to the community the inspiration and courage I got from being around amazing female leaders in STEM, and the other reason why I started the organization is to give others the courage to be themselves to fulfill their dreams.
The biggest hurdle is committing myself to start on building this journey, and once I committed everything fell into place.
Did you ever deal with contention from your family and friends concerning your entrepreneurial pursuits?
How did you handle it? What would you do differently in hindsight?
Family and friends always just the best for you, and so they have their own idea might that look like, and sometimes it’s not aligned with what you want, but only you can decide what looks right for you. In hindsight, if I could do one thing differently it would be to accept my decision to be a founder earlier because there is so much to do when you run your own business!
What would you say was the single most influential factor in your business success?
Success has only happened because you show up and tackle challenges, and not be afraid to back down. If there is one thing it is to start early, and just do it.
What do you know today that you wish you would have known when you first got started as an entrepreneur?
Start as early as possible, even if you don’t know, you’ll figure it out.
What advice would you give to an upcoming young and old entrepreneur locally and internationally?
No matter how old or young. Just commit. At the end of the day, we are all working on a goal, big or small, and that may look and be different for everyone, but if an opportunity presents to help someone, welcome it!
