Women in tech is a never-ending conversation. It swirls around a set of anxieties shared by many in a underrepresented gender — anxieties that everyone cannot understand.
As a founding partner for BlkTech Interactive, Enovia Bedford has taken the DIY-approach to new levels of not only doing for self, but helping others do for self, which is vital in the long term growth of diversity in tech.
With the partnership, Bedford and her team are armed with more support in their crusade to educate and empower for the benefit of all, and TWL got the chance to catch up with the New York City native-turned-Charlotte transplant on juggling a work/life balance, dealing with investors, and BlkTech Interactive’s short term plans.
How much does technology play a role in the way you maintain a work/life balance? Tech plays a huge role in my life. I automate as many tasks as I can. I schedule most of my day and not just for meetings, I schedule dog walks, reading times, gym time etc. It’s hard to keep tabs on everything if I do not have systems in place.
What do you think is the biggest issue for women in the workplace in tech? I’ve mostly worked in marketing roles, digital marketing, experiential marketing and sponsorship/partnerships. We’re often mansplained, our ideas are regurgitated and it is hard to be heard and taken seriously. When you’re assertive, we all know how that comes across. However, when you’re black, female and assertive you’re seen as angry and bossy before saying a word.
Explain the role that BlkTech Interactive plays in incorporating tech into their business strategy and bottom line. BLKTECH is Charlotte’s first and only hub for developing Black Tech talent and Entrepreneurs. We serve as a one-stop shop for career development, startup resources and connecting with top recruiters in Charlotte’s tech community. We develop data driven programming which is how the company started. We asked black technologist and entrepreneurs in Charlotte what they need, the answers were access to capital so we started a 100k fund with Carolina Small Business Development Fund, people wanted inside to leading tech companies, so we started fireside chat’s with industry leaders, folks wanted programming to jump start their business so we created learning labs.
What has been one of your biggest challenges as a businesswoman? One of my biggest challenges has been pricing my services. It’s always one of those do I charge more things? A smart women recently told me, you always charge more.
How easy is it to find someone to invest in your business if you’re a woman with a tech startup? It’s not. Friends and family rounds are hard. Depending on your business finding an angel to invest might be an option but they are looking for a lot of equity. You’ll have to give up some control for capital.
Does being a minority woman in your industry change the way you work? I think we’re always taught you have to work harder, smarter and faster than everyone else. I may not always work harder but I definitely work smarter and faster.
Explain the role that BlkTech Interactive plays in incorporating tech into their business strategy and bottom line. BLKTECH is Charlotte’s first and only hub for developing Black Tech talent and Entrepreneurs. We serve as a one-stop shop for career development, startup resources and connecting with top recruiters in Charlotte’s tech community. We develop data driven programming which is how the company started. We asked black technologist and entrepreneurs in Charlotte what they need, the answers were access to capital so we started a 100k fund with Carolina Small Business Development Fund, people wanted inside to leading tech companies, so we started fireside chat’s with industry leaders, folks wanted programming to jump start their business so we created learning labs.
What has been one of your biggest challenges as a businesswoman? One of my biggest challenges has been pricing my services. It’s always one of those do I charge more things? A smart women recently told me, you always charge more.
How easy is it to find someone to invest in your business if you’re a woman with a tech startup? It’s not. Friends and family rounds are hard. Depending on your business finding an angel to invest might be an option but they are looking for a lot of equity. You’ll have to give up some control for capital.
Does being a minority woman in your industry change the way you work? I think we’re always taught you have to work harder, smarter and faster than everyone else. I may not always work harder but I definitely work smarter and faster.
Learn more about BlkTech Interactive at http://www.blktechinteractive.com and @weareblktechclt on Twitter.
