Born to Lead: Building Off Early Experiences
Welcome to another edition of Generation Si! 👋🏽👋🏿👋 Today’s newsletter shares how Denise Musselwhite, the founder behind Tech & Thrive, a leadership coaching firm, gained confidence to rise up the ranks as a woman, Latina and leader in tech.
In Part One, you’ll learn the following:
🌴 How her family roles & responsibilities clued her in on her particular strengths
🌴 Resources for finding support and connections in the tech industry
🌴 A webinar to help you make your website memorable and sales-friendly
🌴 Now, get to know Denise Musselwhite, the CEO and founder of Tech & Thrive…
USE EARLY ROLES AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PREPARE YOU FOR FUTURE RESPONSIBILITIES
Denise Musselwhite grew up carrying a lot of hopes, dreams and expectations on her shoulders as a first-generation American. Her parents not only named their business, Denise’s Service Station, after her, but they also encouraged her to be a leader.
“As the oldest, it was my responsibility to provide the structure for my siblings so that my parents could operate their business and be fully present there. And I knew that, as young as five years old, that that was my job.”
SEE WHAT SETS OFF A NATURAL SPARK IN YOU
It was, however, a specific “job” she performed starting at the age of 13 that piqued her interest in the tech world.
“During this time in the early '80s, cars got more sophisticated, and my dad had to purchase this very sophisticated equipment to diagnose what was wrong with cars. And he really couldn’t translate the manual.”
So he asked her to step in and translate it for him and his mechanics.
That not only revealed that she had a mind for tech, but it also reinforced her inclination towards being a natural leader.
THE TIP JAR (Tips provided courtesy of Denise Musselwhite)
STARTING OUT: “I would recommend that they intern in environments that are going to give them the fast-track to understanding behind-the-scenes entrepreneurship. So if they have a certain business in mind, they should volunteer and/or get a job in that organization or business. And learn as much as possible, even if it pays less than they think they should make…”
STEEPED IN SKILLS (mid-career): “This is the time, in my mind, where you’re doing the side gig. You’re exploring your purpose and your areas of passion to create passive income and/or an extra income stream, without sacrificing everything that is stable for you…”
STARTING OVER: “Here, you have to lean into the fear and find resources and programs that you can trust to support you in the launch of whatever it is… Here’s the time to start to pay attention to what people come to you for that is outside of your normal work, so that you can see what your unique qualities and expertise are…”
I’LL NEVER DO THAT AGAIN: “You shouldn’t try to do it alone. You can’t do everything. You must take care of yourself first, or you can’t support the work. So don’t try to do it all on your own… If marketing’s not your jam, don’t try to do your own marketing. If tech is not your jam, don’t do that. Find somebody to help you…”
BEST ADVICE FROM “LA CASA”/BEST “HOUSE” ADVICE: Musselwhite says her parents were all about focusing on education. They taught her, “You can never know enough. And you can never have too much education.”
She says that wasn’t just in terms of a formal education.
They would tell her, “We don’t care what you do. But whatever you pick, you should be the best at it. Be the best at whatever you choose to do, and you will always succeed.”
LEAN INTO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SEE YOU SHINE; LET THEM HELP YOU
She credits her bosses for helping instill that confidence in her that she could take charge in the working world.
And she did.
Around the age of 15, she helped out at a law firm.
Once her boss realized how good she was with tech, she became the “go-to” person to restore important files the attorneys or staff had deleted.
“That empowered me in a way that can’t be translated.”
When she worked at a very high-end technology integration firm, her boss also noticed her affinity for tech.
Musselwhite says, “He saw in me potential. And he, himself, recommended that I shift from the role that I had as an office manager in their business to becoming a technology professional in a law firm.”
JUST BECAUSE NO ONE HAS DONE IT BEFORE DOESN’T MEAN YOU CAN’T
He encouraged her to apply to several jobs.
And, sure enough, at the age of 23, she became the technology manager of a large law practice.
Yet another supervisor helped her by putting her name forward as the best person to replace him when he got promoted.
He also told her about a technology director role at Trinity Prep.
“So I’ve had great success with Latinos who stepped up and sponsored and supported me in really meaningful ways.”
USE MOMENTS OF CONFIDENCE TO SEEK MORE RESPONSIBILITY
More than anything, all these people gave Musselwhite the confidence to take on roles where women, much less, Latinos weren’t represented.
“A Latina in a CIO role, especially in the independent school space is a unicorn.”
JOIN ORGANIZATIONS TO FIND OR BUILD SUPPORT
For people who don’t have that mentor or advisor championing their achievements and encouraging their advancement, Musselwhite recommends they seek it out through organizations such as Women in Technology International.
“It’s a national, really global, organization that provides a lot of programming for free for women in tech.”
YOUR LOCAL UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE CAN BE A FRUITFUL (& POSSIBLY FREE OR LOW-COST) RESOURCE
She also says, “The University of Central Florida is an untapped resource in our community. They have so many programs and opportunities for individuals who are seeking connection in technology.”
Musselwhite says a third option comes in the form of meetup groups in the specific sector of interest in tech.
All of those “cheerleaders” encouraged her and gave her the confidence to go after coveted roles in tech leadership.
BE THE SUPPORT YOU KNOW OTHERS NEED
It’s why she found the confidence to break out and start her tech leadership coaching business to guide others who know they have the aptitude for tech and leadership, in particular, but who don’t know how to navigate their path.
“When you don’t look like everybody else in that space, it’s isolating.” And that’s why the Latina who saw her name on her parents’ business is giving others the confidence to step into that space and to be proud and self-assured of being the boss.
INDUSTRY: Tech & Coaching
STARTED BUSINESS: August 2022
LATINO CONNECTION:
Dad was born in Puerto Rico
Mom was born in the Dominican Republic
EDUCATION:
Nova Southeastern University - Master’s degree in Leadership
University of Central Florida - Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems
DREAM JOB AS A KID: “I was going to be the boss. It didn’t matter what – I was always in charge…”
BIGGEST GOAL YET: “To see more women and individuals who are underrepresented in technology, in the C-suite, and to make sure that they’re making what they’re worth. And for me to really have an impact in changing the norms of the industry. That’s my biggest dream.”
NO NEED TO GO IT ALONE
HELP ON THE OUTSIDE...because we can all use a helping hand:
“Websites That Get Noticed and Get Sales”
You’re pumped to get your website ready for online commerce. So what do you need to know to convert web traffic into sales? Find out the five keys to converting lookers into shoppers in this online webinar. The presenter is an entrepreneur who has built multiple businesses and inventions. Here are more details:
SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)
“5 Ways to Create a Website People Want to Stay On and Buy On"
Thursday, March 23, 2023
12:00 p.m. EDT - 1:30 p.m. EDT
Online Webinar
FREE
https://www.score.org/orlando/event/5-ways-create-website-people-want-stay-and-buy
WORKING ON THE INSIDE...because we know our culture has a hard time asking for help:
“Positivity – Personally and Professionally”
Who doesn’t like being around shiny, happy people? Want to find out how to create and keep positivity in your life? It starts with you! In this recorded webinar, trainer/author/success coach, Jodi Santangelo-Ash, shares her best tips for helping you find and maintain that positive energy – in your business and your life. Here’s more info:
SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)
“Coffee with a Leader Series – Maintaining Positive Vibes For Success in Your Life & Business”
Recorded Webinar
Approximately 70 minutes
FREE
INSPIRATION FOR THIS ISSUE:
Where are all the women in tech?
Where are all the women in tech leadership?
What about the ones who are minorities?
It may seem like we’ve been hearing about the lack of equal representation for a number of years now.
It’s because it’s still a problem.
In a CNBC article, Dr. Tarika Barrett, the CEO of Girls Who Code, said, “… we still have half of women in tech saying that they lack female role models.”
For as much as the world discusses tech and the warp speed of innovation in the field, it’s amazing how change seems to move at a glacial pace when it comes to representation.
It makes a difference.
Even in other industries, like music, I remember just how genuinely proud and humbled Gloria Estefan seemed when it was announced her likeness was going to be represented in a Barbie doll. And that was just last year. It took that long for that to happen.
So when I was referred to Denise Musselwhite, I immediately was interested because she doesn’t just represent the Latino community in tech but also in leadership.
What made it more interesting is that she’s always viewed herself as a “boss.”
Many young girls shrink in identifying themselves as a “boss” because then it turns into “bossy,” a negative connotation.
Finding that strength to own the label and run with that label is understandably hard when you’re just a kid.
Unfortunately, that stigma can carry over as an adult.
And that’s why the message, the connotation and the images we see of who can and can’t become “the boss” in tech makes such a difference. Remember, it can be you! #theskyisNOTthelimit
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