Celebrating Women. Celebrating Progress.
Wise Words from Leading Women in The Tech Industry.
August is Women’s Month, a time to commemorate and celebrate women’s contribution to the world. This month, we’ve turned our attention to notable women in the tech industry. For years, the tech industry has been predominantly male-driven, but women too have been at the forefront of the tech industry.
In celebration of this, we sat down with talented and successful women in the technology space, from entrepreneurs to leaders within influential companies. We gained insights on what there is to know about building a tech empire, what qualifications are needed to pursue a career in tech and much more.
First, we sat down with two talented female power bosses, Daniela d’Hotman de Villiers, Owner and Founder of Savvy Social and Samantha Hogg, Owner & Founder of GinjaNinja.
What tips would you give women who are wanting to start their own business?
“It’s all about having a good system and structure in place – you only have one chance to do it right. Consider getting a business coach – I’ve learned so much and have grown as a leader and business owner by doing so. It really helped me to started looking externally. Be willing to listen and be coachable. Have a good finance person on your team and have a decent corporate identity. Consider using PR from the start – it helps a lot when going into funding rounds when you have been seen in the media.”- Samantha Hogg, Owner & Founder of GinjaNinja.
“Believe in yourself and show up – I think this is the most fundamental tip. If you truly believe in yourself, everything else will follow. Be clear about your values and non-negotiables – intention is everything. If you truly have good intentions for your business, your clients, your team, and people around you, that will shine through as the foundation and building blocks of your values and emanate to your team’s values and how they represent your brand and deal with your clients and customers. Choose your tribe wisely and remember that comparison is the thief of all joy.”- Daniela d’Hotman de Villiers, Owner, and Founder of Savvy Social.
As an entrepreneur, what are the biggest opportunities you see in your industry?
“The biggest opportunities that I see in my industry (social media and digital marketing) is the accessibility that digital has and is continuing to grant people with markets, people, products and services that wasn’t possible before. With technology that is constantly evolving, there is more and more opportunity for the creator, the mompreneur or the solopreneur to build their businesses, showcase their products and get it to the world in a way that wasn’t possible before. I think that that is one of the most exciting spaces for growth and change.”- Daniela d’Hotman de Villiers, Owner and Founder of Savvy Social.
How should women CEOs support other women in their organisation?
“Listen, see, and feel – then you can put a picture together and help motivate other women. If you can make someone feel seen and heard as a woman in business, it helps so much because we generally have to fight for that. Lean into who you are and stand for it.”- Samantha Hogg, Owner & Founder of GinjaNinja.
Next, we gained some insight from two brilliant female leaders in the tech industry, Lee Beier, EOH BU Account Manager at IOCO and Aaishah Akoojee, Acting Managing Director at Sisonke Software Solutions.
What can other women study or gain experience in to pursue the same career?
“There are various ways to gain entry into the tech industry. As an individual, you must reflect on which of the specialised fields you would like to enter, research the required qualifications and go for it.”- Aaishah Akoojee, Acting Managing Director at Sisonke Software Solution.
“The core capabilities needed to succeed in tech aren’t learned in school or in the workplace. It’s all about self-esteem, self-care and resilience. There’s this business myth that you should have a tech background if you want to be a tech entrepreneur. Soft skills commonly developed in industries like food service and retail can prove invaluable when breaking into the tech world. Consider doing a Management course and Basic IT courses.”- Lee Beier, EOH BU Account Manager at ICOCO.
Do you ever struggle with confidence in an industry that is predominately male based? If yes, how do you overcome it?
“As a woman in a predominantly male based industry, there are definitely various challenges but through networking and technology, I am able to connect with other woman in the industry and this allows for growth in my confidence.”- Aaishah Akoojee, Acting Managing Director at Sisonke Software Solution.
“Oh definitely, yes! I work to improve my work relationships. I keep on displaying a positive optimistic attitude in my workplace. If you treat people with respect and kindness, they will do the same for you. In my personal plan I make a note to stay focused, monitor my success and acknowledge that my confidence will be menaced at some point. Then, I identify my weaknesses and work harder on them, and this always boosts my confidence, hope and trust.” - Lee Beier, EOH BU Account Manager at ICOCO.
Thank you to all the brilliant women who work in the tech industry and who are not only making waves within the space but also inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.