We were lucky to catch up with Mallorie Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mallorie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

It’s no secret that the tech industry lacks diversity. People of color and women are largely underrepresented. As a black woman in tech, I have first hand knowledge of the unique challenges that underrepresented groups face in this field. Many of the challenges revolve around building an effective network, skill development and employment opportunities.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’ve been in tech for over 14 years, having held positions in companies ranging from small businesses to Big Tech. I’ve spent most of my professional career collaborating with cross-functional teams and building technical solutions in various industries. Throughout the years, I was often the one of the only black women on the team. The lack of diversity had its challenges. I’ve had to navigate microaggressions, glass ceilings and outright discrimination all while trying to stay focused on developing my skillset. After years in the tech industry honing my craft, I wanted to create a platform to address the diversity problem in tech.

Therefore, I created GetN2Tech, a professional networking and collaboration platform that provides tools and resources to help underrepresented groups break into the tech field. Users can create or collaborate on projects to get experience to add to their resumes. They can also network with others in the GetN2Tech community, get matched with a mentor and check out entry-level tech jobs. The platform guides users throughout their journey, from determining which tech roles may be a good fit to attaining their first tech job. The app’s features are tailored to the tech role the user decides to pursue.

GetN2Tech doesn’t require a large investment of thousands of dollars like bootcamps or degree programs. Our platform encourages self-paced learning with online resources and learning by doing. GetN2Tech also provides a project marketplace that connects small business and consumers with GetN2Tech users; allowing emerging tech professionals to get the real-word experience they need and build a portfolio of projects that can aid in their job search.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

At certain points in my career, I’ve experienced imposter syndrome and questioned my abilities. I would shy away from pursuing opportunities that I felt were “long shots” or opportunities that I felt I’d never have any chance of attaining. With the help of a great support system in the form of tech peers, I was able to realize that I was just as capable as anyone else. I began to pursue more opportunities that allowed me to grow and broaden my experience.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I’ve always had the end goal of starting my own business. As a result, I saved up money throughout my career and when the timing felt right, I stepped out on my own and had the funds to do so. However, ongoing funding is still a challenge on two fronts: 1) identifying and attracting investors and 2) determining how much control and ownership I’m willing to relinquish by taking on investors. I think the latter is something a lot of people think about but just don’t say out loud. For me, it’s an inner conflict that I’m learning to navigate. What’s the ideal balance of capital and control? This is something I’m hoping to discover on my journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.GetN2Tech.com
• Instagram: @GetN2Tech
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getn2tech
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/86934134