Celebrating the Female Entrepreneurs in the Tech World …

It Started with an Idea ~ a “What If” and a “Why Not” and the passion to make it happen ~ Introducing Chaitra Vedullapalli

My journey into the world of technology began when a teacher expressed a strong wish to teach Cobol to young women at my college. A chance meeting led to a profound connection that shaped my future.

In a twist of fate, he mistook me for a fellow educator, and in that moment, we formed a unique bond between us. He entrusted me with a special mission: to reach out and invite young girls to join his Cobol class. I embraced this task with enthusiasm and became a student in his class as well. Little did he know, nor did I show, that I was merely a first-year college student.

The day he discovered the truth, his disbelief was palpable. He couldn’t fathom why I had taken on this role.

My response was, “I can see the invisible code and its extraordinary power.” It was as if I possessed a unique insight into the cloud world of technology, understanding the magic that lay beneath the surface.

The launch of Windows 95 truly opened my eyes to technology’s potential. The vivid colors and the captivating graphical user working with (GUI) spoke to my soul. Technology captivated me when I saw it as an art that enables dreams and innovation. It’s both amusing and poignant to consider how the landscape of technology has grown since then; today, Cobol and Pascal are relics of a bygone era.

My Formative Years:

I secured a job at Oracle, where I honed my technology skills and gained industry knowledge. I led licensing and pricing efforts and created valuable technology IPs for my future goals.

I left Oracle and was hired by Microsoft. Microsoft hired me to lead Partner Ecosystem Consolidations focused on Go-To-Market (GTM) programs. This role enabled me to use my prior experience while broadening my horizons and influence in the tech industry.

Facing Challenges:

Experiencing and encountering the obstacles strong women of color meet. Felt marginalized and underestimated because of a major decrease in my voice, representation, and access.

The adversity acted as a catalyst for growth and learning. I realized I had to exceed expectations to gain access, listen to, and progress in my career. Aiding others through Go-To-Market strategies, sharing resources, and making introductions is a key part of my journey.

I made it a point to invite them to spaces and opportunities I have had access to otherwise. Despite being challenging, this was incredibly empowering. It pushed me to harness my strengths, be more strategic in my actions, and become a catalyst for change. It was a profound transformation;

3 Powers:

• The Power of Resilience,
• Strategic Generosity,
• The impact of lifting others as I climb is an experience I never forget.

Helping to advocate for inclusivity and representation in every space I occupy is very important to me. Working hard to open doors for those from underrepresented backgrounds. It focused my journey on creating pathways for others to succeed and thrive.

Lessons Learned:

To succeed in tech, women should focus on developing executive gravitas and becoming experts in a few key areas.

These two elements are crucial for becoming a respected and influential leader in this competitive industry.

1. Confidence, poise, and authenticity in a leadership role are my Executive Gravitas ~ Effective communication, decision-making, and leadership inspiration are within everyone’s reach. Developing executive presence is vital for women in tech to succeed in male-dominated spaces.
2. Mastery in one or two topics makes you an invaluable asset to your team or organization.

If the tech space intrigues you but feels daunted, it’s important to remember: that others are with you on this journey. Your interest in this field is the first crucial step toward becoming a part of it! The tech industry is vast and constantly developing, but full of opportunities for learning and growth. Let’s Celebrate all Female Entrepreneurs in the Tech World.

Here are 3 steps to successfully get you started on your tech journey:

1. Learn the Language of Tech ~ By enrolling in certification courses that align with your interests or a domain within tech that is promising or exciting to you is imperative. Online platforms offer tech courses on coding, data science, digital marketing, and user-experience design.
2. Create a Signature Talk ~ Once you have a basic understanding and have connected with a group, challenge yourself to create a Signature Talk. A Signature Talk is not a speech or sales presentation. It’s a business tool to attract clients. Your story, brand message, and point of view.
3. Join a Like-Minded Group ~ Look for a tech group that resonates with your values and interests. A local meetup group, an online forum, or a professional network. Find communities that embrace beginners and strongly focus on learning and support. I invite you to join Women in Cloud where you can get access to tech scholarships, join the insider circle, and create & deliver your signature talk!

The Next Chapter:

Meylah helps sales and marketing leaders with digital strategies and automating demand generation workflows.

These experiences increased my confidence and provided me with the courage to enter the world of entrepreneurship.

I planted the entrepreneurial seed in me from a young age, but it truly began to sprout and take form during my time in the corporate world. I thrived on leading initiatives with a spirit of entrepreneurship, managing profits trying out new innovations. It was a taste of what could be, and I loved it.

Frustration with corporate politics and ineffective management practices pushed me to seek a change.

I set out on a mission to create companies that not only succeed in the market but contribute to a greater good by unlocking $1 billion in economic access. I was ready to Co-Found impactful tech companies.

We center our mission on three pillars:

• Economic Development,
• Workforce Development,
• Policy Advocacy.

Each of these pillars plays a unique role in creating a more inclusive, fair, and innovative tech industry.

I have ventured into the world of film, becoming a film fund owner. This change allows me to merge my love for technology and storytelling to make interesting stories that inspire change.

Important points on My Journey:

• Technology affects innovation and positive change. It allows us to redefine how we live, work, and connect, creating a more efficient, accessible, and inclusive world.
• Tech has taught me “What if” and “Why not”, which leads me to envision and strive for a future that transcends current limitations. It goes beyond understanding the code or hardware.
• Continue to contribute to meaningful innovations, further learning, and doing more in tech. The potential of cloud and AI technologies fascinates me. They can bring efficiency and ability to other levels. I view these technologies as tools that allow us to reclaim time for other pursuits, relationships, and group endeavors.
• Engage with leaders and take on challenging projects. I am committed to sharing my knowledge and insights, aiming to demystify tech and make it more accessible to diverse communities.
• My motivation comes from envisioning a future where I actively shape a world that shares the benefits of tech innovation. In doing so, I hope to inspire others to recognize and harness the power of technology to create positive and lasting change.