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5 Women Who Revolutionized Tech and Made Millions

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There are many female entrepreneurs in today’s world revolutionizing the tech industry and owning their own unique craft. Before, technology and business was seen as a more male-dominanted industry that women rarely crossed into. That’s no longer the case.

Now, it’s often that you hear of women who find business and tech as something fascinating and starting their own tech-related business from scratch. In fact, within the last 20 years, the number of businesses owned by women has increased by 114%. 

Now in the 2020’s, we have many prominent women who have earned high rankings in business success by creating their own tech service or product. Here are a few of them below. 

1. Thai Lee 

Thai Lee is the CEO and co-founder of IT software SHI International, which she created with her ex-husband, and has a net worth of $3 billion. Her software has Boeing and AT&T as customers. She is considered one of the wealthiest women in America, even after starting her business over 30 years ago. 

She was born in Bangkok and moved to the US for her education, attending business school and starting her own career. She kept goals in mind to meet by certain ages to keep herself focused. Her long-term business goals and compassion to employees are a key part of her continuous business victory over the past several decades. 

Thai Lee is stated to have initial struggles in launching her business. Despite these troubles, her steel tight focus on her eventual success is what truly launched her into being an IT tech legend. Sometimes focus is all you need for real success despite a somewhat broken ladder. 

2. Neerja Sethi 

Neerja Sethi is a millionaire, having earned her money from creating Syntel, an IT consulting and outsourcing firm. Neerja eventually sold the firm for $3.4 billion to a French IT firm Atos Se in October 2018. For her stake, Sethi got $510 million. 

Neerja met her husband while working at the pioneering IT firm Tata Consulting Services. They both decided to recreate this type of service in a way they thought would be their own unique success. Hence, she and her husband created Syntel in their apartment in Troy, Michigan with a $2,000 investment. 

Their efforts worked and, with some work and energy, created a service worth millions. As of this year, her real time net worth is $1.1 billion. Just because a certain product or service already works, it doesn’t mean it can’t be improved to something better. 

3. Ashley Chen 

Ashley Chen is the founder of the IT firm ActioNet, a service that provides cloud-hosting, cybersecurity and software engineering. If you wanted your virtual and online projects protected from online hackers, she made the product to do just that. ActioNet got rated one of the best in the country and Ashley’s IT work even won an award. 

She obtained her masters in computer science prior to her creation and paid just $35 for the domain ActioNet.com in 1997. Safe to say her investment was rewarded. The growth of her business has developed into double-digit annual growth every single year since. 

Her parents wanted a different life for her, but Ashley was determined to own her business and attributes hiring the right people who could help her as a critical part of her success. Her employees also comment that she has “infectious” energy that keeps them motivated to work. 

“I don’t mind living in a mans world as long as I can be a woman in it.” – Marilyn Monroe

4. Therese Tucker

Therese Tucker has a unique appearance with her bright colored hair. However, she has a net worth of over $500 million for creating Blackline, an enterprise software company that sells accounting-automation software. Just a few of the companies she provides software to is Coca-Cola, Netflix and Google. 

In 2013, she sold a majority stake to private equity firms Silver Lake and Iconiq Capital for a $220 million valuation. She founded the company in 2002, cashing in on the entirety of her retirement savings in order to launch her business idea. She is now one of the few female-founder CEOs running a public tech business. 

She dismisses the idea of having “modest ambition” because then the only accomplishments you have will be “boring.” She speaks at high schools and STEM events to teach other women to excel in tech if that’s what they dream of doing like she did.

5. Whitney Wolfe Herd 

Whitney Herd has become the world’s youngest female self-made billionaire in 2021 for her app creation Bumble, a social and business app for women. She has also become the youngest woman to take her business public at 31. 

She founded the app in December of 2014, which resulted in over 15 million conversations and 80 million matches. She got to partner with billionaire Andrey Andreev in 2014, which furthered her career success. She refused a $450 million pay-out and her net worth is currently $1.2 billion. 

Her advice is to figure out what you’re passionate about and find a way to turn it into a business. She says, “I think anybody can make money at something they’re good at. You have to start somewhere. Just find your passion and lean into it.” 

Mariah is a freelance B2B writer who offers blogging and editing services. She works closely with a client and uses her skills to craft content that captures a reader's interest, increases search engine visibility, and lets her reader take action. You can view her website MariahKrist.com to learn more about her or you can check out her Instagram @mariahkr.ist to see what she's posting.

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Startups

5 Strategic Power Moves to Successfully Build Your Empire

Transitioning from idea to empire is a journey of strategic planning, execution, and constant evolution

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how to build your empire

The journey from a fledgling idea to a thriving empire is both exhilarating and daunting. The Startup Launchpad is not just a process but also a strategic framework that enables visionary entrepreneurs to become market leaders. This framework comprises five power moves, each a critical steppingstone in building a successful business.

These moves—Ideation, Business Plan, Online Presence, Strategic Marketing, and Launch and Growth—are the blueprint for turning aspirations into achievements. (more…)

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How to Avoid Startup Clichés and Buzzwords When Pitching Investors

Using jargon can make you sound like you’re trying to fill space instead of providing meaningful data

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How to pitch investors better

Entrepreneurs frequently seek startup funding through a variety of channels. Yet, none seem as challenging as successfully pitching to experienced investors. After all, investors are pressed for time and eager for opportunities. These characteristics make it challenging to motivate them, especially if you’re bombarding them with a pitch full of jargon. (more…)

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From Idea to Empire: 5 Power Moves for Your Startup to Thrive in Today’s Market

As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that understanding market dynamics and choosing the right business model are crucial

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How to thrive in the startup market in 2024

As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that understanding market dynamics and choosing the right business model are crucial.

A few months into the startup, I was quick to gauge why it is necessary to go beyond the nuances of operational efficiency and the art of sustaining a business amid growing competition.

Collaboration is key.

The HR and the recruiting teams work with departments to foster a culture of collaboration, but what’s indispensable to business performance is the sync between the marketing and sales teams. What we’d consider as entrepreneurs is the need to ensure seamless collaboration to predict and achieve business goals together. In turn, this will help secure long-term recurring revenue for the business.

Besides, entrepreneurs need to focus on revenue as they gear up to take their startup from $0 to $1 million. The journey is filled with critical decisions, from identifying your target customer base to choosing the right funding strategy.

So, what next?

Read on… because here are five practical, results-driven strategies that you as a founder can implement to make a mark in their industry.

#1. Embrace the Lean Methodology

What is lean methodology?

It is all about pivoting resources to create more value for customers with fewer resources. 

This principle encourages you to be more agile and allow rapid iteration based on customer feedback rather than spending years perfecting a product before it hits the market.

Want to implement it?

Here’s what you can do.

Build “Measure-Learn” Loop: What I did was develop a minimum viable product (MVP), a simple version of the product. You can do the same since it allows you to start the learning process as quickly as possible. After launching MVP, measure how customers use it and learn from their behaviors and feedback.

Here’s what I can recommend here:

  • Identify the core features that solve your customers’ primary needs and focus solely on those to develop your MVP.
  • Know the feedback channels where early users can communicate their experiences, suggestions, and complaints.
  • Analyze user behavior and feedback to make informed product development and iteration decisions.

#2. Focus on Customer Development

Let’s talk about taking our startup to the next level. 

It’s not just about getting customers – it’s about really getting to know them. We need to dive into their world, understand their struggles, and see how our product or service can make a difference in their lives. 

It’s like we’re detectives, piecing together the puzzle of our business hypothesis by actually chatting with our customers

What would you ideally do here?

Understand Customer Segments: I’d say, start dividing your target market into segments and develop a deep understanding of each segment’s demographics, behaviors, needs, and pain points. The idea is to get into their shoes and really feel what they feel.

Ensure your Product Clicks: When starting up, think of what you offer and consider whether it clicks with what our customers need. My thought was “Does my product solve their problems? Does it make their day better?” Put yourself through a tough grilling session to show customers the value proposition and ensure that the product’s promise matches what our customers are looking for.

I’d recommend the following actions here:

  • Talk to them – through surveys, interviews, or even casual chats. The goal? To gather real, raw insights about what they need and expect.
  • Use the collected data to create detailed profiles for each type of customer. This way, everyone on our team really understood we were serving. I think this should help your startup as well.
  • Try out different versions of our product with a few customer groups. It’s all about feedback here – understanding if you’re hitting the mark or if we need to pivot.

#3. Foster a Data-Driven Culture

The digital world is highly data driven since it fuels key decisions in a startup. 

I believe it’s essential for us to build a data-driven culture. This means, you’ll move from making decisions based on hunches or assumptions. Instead, the focus should be on data analytics and insights to guide our strategies and improve our outcomes.

What can you do?

Use Data Analytics Tools: You should be using these tools to gather, analyze, and interpret data related to customer behavior, market trends, and our business operations. Here, consider the adoption of pipeline forecasting that leverages AI to find patterns in marketing data. 

In turn, you’ll get areas for improvement since it can analyze historical data and predict the outcome for you to plan your.

Action Items:

  • Pinpoint key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with your business objectives and ensure they are measurable and actionable.
  • Next, you can consider training your team to understand and use data analytics tools. This might involve workshops or bringing in experts to build a data-savvy workforce.
  • Once everything is in place, regularly review data reports and dashboards. This gives us a clear picture of a startup’s health and helps adjust your strategies and predict future trends.

#4. Strengthen Your Financial Acumen

A good grip on financial skills is important to steer your business towards growth and making sure it stays on track. For this, you’ll have to understand the money side of things, which helps you manage your cash flow. Think of figuring out smart investment moves and sizing up any risks that come your way.

Here’s a tip on how you can get savvy with your finances.

Maintain Rigorous Financial Discipline: I’m really focused on cultivating a strong company culture, one that truly resonates with our mission. So, I’d suggest fostering open communication and encouraging a sense of ownership and collaboration among everyone in the team.

Action Items:

  • Get to know your financial statements inside out – I’m talking about the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. These are like the vital signs for your business’s financial health
  • Use financial forecasting that helps predict your future money moves. With this, you will have a heads-up on upcoming revenues, expenses, and how much cash you’ll need. Also, research on the available financial forecasting tools that can make predictions spot-on.
  • Don’t go at it alone. Regularly touch base with financial advisors or mentors. With them by your side, you’ll have a fresh perspective on your financial strategies to ensure you’re on the right path to hit your business goals.

5. Prioritize Team Building and Leadership Development

It is crucial to focus on building a solid team and developing strong leaders. This means putting our resources into the people who are going to propel our company forward. 

What you’ll aim for here?

Creating a culture where everyone collaborates and every team member has the chance to emerge as a leader.

What I would do:

Cultivate a Strong Company Culture: This culture should mirror our mission and foster open communication. It’s important that it encourages everyone to feel a sense of ownership and work together.

Invest in Leadership and Team Development: As founders, we’ll have to make way for opportunities for teams to enhance their skills, face new challenges, and grow in their careers.

Some concrete steps that you should consider taking:

  • Begin with clearly communicating your startup’s vision, mission, and values so that every team member is on the same page.
  • Conduct regular team-building activities and workshops to boost skills and strengthen a sense of unity and collaboration.
  • How about starting a mentorship program within our organization? The more experienced team members could guide and support the growth of newer or less experienced folks.
  • Alas… encourage feedback at all levels. We should keep striving to create an environment where open, honest communication is the norm and everyone feels safe to speak up.

I know it’s one thing to get your head around these ideas and quite another to actually make them a part of your everyday business life. But that’s where the real magic happens, right? It’s all in the doing. 

As a startup founder, this means more than just being a big dreamer. How about rolling up your sleeves to be the planner who pays attention to the smallest details. Ultimately, these tips and more tactics around it will help carve a leader in you who listens and cares and the learner who’s always ready to adapt

So, as you’re either starting out or moving forward on this entrepreneurial adventure, keep these practical tips right there.

May these be your guiding lights, helping you steer through the wild and exciting world of building a startup that’s not just a dream, but a thriving reality.

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12 Things I Learned in 12 Months of Working on My Startup

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A few weeks ago I launched my startup. It took exactly 12 months from the initial idea until the moment I saw my app in the App Store. And these were some of the most challenging, fun and exciting 12 months of my whole life. (more…)

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