Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bisola Alabi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Bisola, appreciate you joining us today. What’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?
One belief I hold, which many in the education and tech industries might disagree with, is that education doesn’t need to be venture-capitalist-backed to be impactful and sustainable. There’s a prevailing idea that in order to scale, education companies must focus on aggressive growth, backed by venture capital, but I disagree. I believe quality education can grow organically by focusing on the needs of the learners rather than investor-driven metrics. A report from EdSurge found that while the global EdTech market grew to over $250 billion by 2021, many companies failed to deliver the promised educational impact.
This idea became clear during my journey in building Heels and Tech, which has been completely bootstrapped. From the start, we focused on providing women with the tech skills they needed to thrive in a digital economy, rather than chasing funding or scaling at all costs. The ability to grow without external pressures meant we could remain laser-focused on the real impact—empowering women to earn more and build their careers while maintaining a sense of balance in their personal lives.
Another misconception I challenge is that quality education should only focus on children in rural regions or underrepresented groups, often leaving out adult learners, particularly women. While supporting children in these areas is undeniably crucial, women also need to be at the forefront of this conversation. Women—especially those who juggle careers, families, and caregiving responsibilities—deserve accessible, flexible education to enhance their skills. At Heels and Tech, we emphasize the importance of equipping women with tech skills, recognizing that empowering them economically leads to broader societal benefits.
I also believe mass learning models are not as effective because they often overlook the diverse ways in which people learn. We’ve seen that personalized, cohort-based programs where participants have the chance to interact, ask questions, and engage with tailored teaching methods yield far better results than large, one-size-fits-all approaches. By focusing on individual learning styles, we can empower more people—especially women—to break into tech and thrive in this competitive landscape. Research from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation shows that personalized learning programs have demonstrated 53% improvement in academic performance
This unconventional belief stems from seeing firsthand how a focused, community-driven model of education can change lives without the need for venture capital or mass-market approaches. It’s about quality over quantity and creating educational experiences that truly address the needs of learners, not just investors.
Bisola, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m the founder of Heels and Tech, a platform that’s all about empowering women to participate in the digital economy.. My journey into this space started after I spent three years as a stay-at-home mom, pregnant for my 2nd child. Despite my previous accomplishments working in tech for companies like Oracle and leading major startups, I felt disconnected from my career and the evolving tech landscape. During the pandemic, I saw firsthand how the world was changing and how digital skills were becoming more critical, especially for women. Many women were left out of the digital economy, burdened by family responsibilities and facing financial challenges. I knew I had to do something.
Heels and Tech was born out of the desire to help women achieve financial independence through tech education. We offer cohort-based learning programs that teach women in-demand tech skills like data analysis, product management, and no-code technology. Our mission is to bridge the gender gap in tech by giving women the tools to succeed in a competitive digital world, whether that’s landing high-paying tech jobs or starting their own ventures.
What sets us apart is our high-touch, community-driven approach. Unlike massive online courses, we offer tailored, cohort-based programs where women receive personal coaching, real-world projects, and ongoing support. We’ve created a space where women can confidently develop their tech skills, network, and grow their careers while balancing the demands of family life.
I’m incredibly proud that in just a few years, we’ve helped women collectively earn an additional $12.5 million USD by securing jobs in global organizations and thriving in tech careers. But beyond the numbers, what matters most to me is seeing women—many of whom had no tech background—flourish, transform their lives, and break barriers they never thought they could.
At Heels and Tech, we’re not just a learning platform; we’re a community. We care about equity, financial independence, and the economic empowerment of women. For potential clients and followers, I want them to know that our work is about more than just tech skills—it’s about creating lasting change. Through our AI-powered learning and job matching platform, we’re continually innovating to ensure that women are not only prepared for the future of work but can thrive in it. We’re on a mission to help women secure a billion dollars in earnings, and we’re just getting started.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
There was a pivotal moment in my life when I decided to take a break from the corporate world to settle down and have my baby. I had been working in tech, leading projects and thriving in my career, but motherhood shifted my focus. During that time, while staying at home, I found myself experimenting with making clothes and learning a bit about running a business. It wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me valuable lessons that have shaped who I am today.
I learned about empathy—for myself and for other women. I realized how much pressure women carry, both from society and themselves, to be perfect in every role they play. I gave myself grace and, in turn, began to extend that same grace to other women. That period of self-discovery helped me deeply understand the struggles women face, from balancing home life to feeling disconnected from their previous professional achievements.
These lessons were the foundation for Heels and Tech. I rediscovered my purpose and wanted to create a platform where women could learn new skills, reclaim their financial independence, and feel empowered—just as I did. The empathy and business acumen I gained during that time has been instrumental in shaping Heels and Tech into the brand it is today.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
A story that perfectly illustrates my resilience is when I was pregnant with my second child and still running Heels and Tech. I remember being in webinars, often dozing off because of the exhaustion that comes with pregnancy. During one session, I had to tell our guest speaker that my due date was very close, and I could go into labor at any moment. She was shocked to hear that I was still leading the event so close to giving birth.
In that moment, I could have easily chosen to wait—wait until after my second child was born, wait until I felt more settled as a mom, or wait for a more “convenient” time to pursue my dreams. But I didn’t. I chose to persevere. I knew how important it was to create a space for women in tech, and I wasn’t going to let the timing of motherhood stop me. That resilience, balancing family and ambition, has been the driving force behind Heels and Tech ever since.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heelsandtech.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/heelsandtech.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bisolaalabi/
Image Credits
All images belong to me