Category: Local Tech

What is a SIG?

In 2024, Softec is building a SIG network in Santa Maria and SLO, and you can help. SIG is an acronym for “Special Interest Group.” SIGs are to professionals like classrooms are to students. SIGs are a topic magnet for professionals designed to connect them with their peers. 80% of my knowledge came from discussions and debates with my peers. My aha moments came not in the classroom but in discussions with my peers and team members.

Here are a few brutal truths that make SIGs essential:

  • Advanced Professional Skills come from peer discussion and debate, not lectures.
  • The rate of change will never be slower than it is today.
  • Keeping pace with change strains everyone.
  • In business, it is not what you know but who you know.
  • Innovation is not found in classrooms; it lives in debate with smart people.
  • Living within a business silo creates tunnel vision; SIGs are a path out.

Are SIGs an alternative to a university?

No. Universities are a great way to kickstart a professional career but are not the only path. Academia often presents a university degree as the only path forward, which is untrue. Data shows that 37.7% of Americans have a BS or higher degree. So, 62.3%, the majority, took a different life path. Universities are now economically impossible for all but the most privileged. In 2023-2024, the all-in cost for a California Resident at UCLA was $43,161, making four years $172,644. Only 75% get out that cheap because the other 25% take more than four years. The result is that the student graduates have a stupid amount of student debt that often takes them 20 years to pay off. In the programming field that I have lived in, it is well-known that 25% of the best are self-taught.

Another Path

My career in the tech industry started as a customer service rep, data entry operator, programmer, systems designer, project manager, and VP of IT. That sequence took me seven years to earn each of those promotions. Since then, I have been the CEO of seven tech startups and have developed multiple successful commercial software products and custom systems. I have succeeded and failed in big and small ways. All this without ever being a full-time college student or borrowing one penny for school.  

If I knew then what I know now

I have loved my life path, except for when I didn’t. As a young man, my family did not have the money, and I did not have the grades or desire to attend a university. I would still be one of the self-taught but given the opportunity to be in a Programmer SIG, I would have jumped all over of that. The Internet and Books can give a person all the necessary lectures without breaking the family bank. Please do not misunderstand me. I think that for the privileged 37.7%, a college education is a great thing, and for many professions, it is required; software development is not one of those.

Consider this!

Success in life is driven by what you know and who you know. If you are interested in a subject, join a SIG, read books, watch videos, and explore the subject with others with the same interests. Expand who and what you know, become one with your goals, and go for it.

Before You Flame Me

I am not anti-academia; for some, pursuing a college degree is a brilliant decision. Like all big life decisions, there is more than one way. If you want to be a Doctor, Lawyer, or other fields that require specific education, then do that. But if your chosen field does not require that, there are other options.

Co-Working Space Community Strategy

As businesses grow, they hit tipping points in their office size. A startup can start in 200 square feet and grow to 3-5 people before stepping up to the next size, typically 1,000 square feet. When they move into this space, they waste space until they grow to fit the office. With co-working space, they could grow to a higher utilization level before incurring the additional rental cost. Consider a cost example of $2.00 a square foot where the rent goes from $400 to $2,000 in one step. Co-working space could allow that business to defer part of the cost increase for a year or more.

Imagine a future where businesses are defined by the quality of their employees and culture rather than their physical location. In this world, rural communities that invest in the local quality of life will have an advantage over metro locations. The co-working space movement represents an opportunity for smart communities, especially rural communities with a great quality of life. Northern Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties are perfectly positioned to leverage this movement. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of Co-Working in the tech industry.

COVID Changed Everything

The truth here is that the genie is out of the bottle, and critical workers want options as they seek to balance their personal and professional lives. The COVID pandemic forced businesses to offer remote work options proving that remote work was possible and efficient in jobs that had never been considered before. COVID advanced the adoption of remote work at a pace that nobody could have predicted. It was amazing how quickly remote work challenges were overcome.  

One size does not fit all

Remote work is not a silver bullet that solves all problems, but it is a tool all businesses should consider. While a home office is the first image people have of remote work, the reality is that homes are not designed to be an office. Even high-end homes with separate dens lack the office culture creative thinkers need to get to the next level.

Commute Time

One item that comes up every time remote work is discussed is commute time savings. If the remote work is home-based, then commute time approaches zero. Co-working spaces save time, but it is not zero. Consider a common situation of a person that commutes to or from SLO to Santa Maria. This commute time is 1.5 hours per day. Using the IRS standard rate, the cost of this commute is $401 per month. Allowing the employee to work from home or a co-working space is like giving them a $2.32 per hour raise! Co-Working removes a commuter from the Hwy 101 corridor extending the life and reducing the maintenance of this infrastructure.    

Home vs. Co-Working Space

Working from home is appealing to many people, but most homes were not designed for this. Homes without dedicated office space are especially problematic, and kitchen tables are not designed to be a desk. Add to this some neighborhoods with low-quality internet connections, and productivity can drop quickly.  

Metropolitan Remote Work

When you compare office space costs from rural to metro, you see a big differential. For example, the average office space in Santa Maria is about $1.75 per square foot per month. In Silicon Valley, that cost is $5.64 over a 3x multiple. Office space costs pencil out to an annual rent savings of $4,668 per employee, equating to $2.44 per hour. Co-working space is difficult to cost on the same basis because of the shared spaces but using a 125 to 225 as a common range co-working space is a bargain at $1.60.

Remote Work in Rural Communities

Many technologists would rather not live in cities and enjoy the freedom to live where they want. Locally we have seen many remote tech offices led by a senior technologist who wanted to live here. Co-Working space gives rural communities the ability to compete for these jobs one at a time while bringing industry-leading businesses into our communities. Local examples over the years have included Amazon, iRobot, Adobe, Microsoft, GoDaddy, and more. We know these businesses allowed remote work for senior technologists because they have been speakers at Softec events. Not all of these stayed, but some grew from individuals to small teams and remained in our community. The key to this strategy is maintaining our high quality of life and effectively communicating that value to those who care.

Remote Work Costs Less

Considering the commute time, space costs, and benefit costs (30%), the annual savings is $12,871 between metro and rural work locations. Employers have to consider a wage premium of 25% for locations like Silicon Valley compared to Santa Maria. Assuming a base wage of $80k, this can add another $20k to the costs. 

Office Growth Tipping Point

Nothing is perfect

Remote work is not for everyone. People who are not self-starters are a bad fit for remote work, and new people who have not yet acquired your company culture can be challenging. People who get their energy from others are a bad fit for work from home but might be fine in a co-working space. Not all people are the same, and maximum productivity might mean different office spaces for different people.

What all this means

It means that a co-working space could let your business can run leaner and meaner, but you need to understand the variables and find the right fit.  

Shannon Stamey on Burnout

We are excited to have Shannon Stamey back for part 2 of our shame/burnout discussion on this month’s WIT podcast.  

Before we dive in on the topic, here’s a bit about Shannon:

Shannon Stamey is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in San Luis Obispo & Orcutt. She is passionate about helping women who are feeling overwhelmed by burnout, anxiety, depression and/or challenges that arise from transitions of life, such as divorce, to bring balance back to their lives and connect with their authentic selves.

AMFT #112871 – Supervised by Nicole Dolan LMFT #87662

Shannon and I picked up our conversation by talking about burnout—what it is, how it relates to shame, why women are so suseptible to it, and some practical ideas for tackling it.  This is the second part of the series on the related topics of shame and burnout. You can check out last month’s podcast here. 

Resources:
Here is Shannon’s Website: shannonstameytherapist.com
Here is the book we mentioned: High Octane Women, by Dr. Carter
 Connect with us:

Looking for information on upcoming events? Have a speaker you’d like to nominate? Want to support local women in tech? Follow us on Facebook! 

Shannon Stamey on Shame and Shame Culture

We are excited to have Shannon Stamey as our special guest on this month’s WIT podcast.  

Before we dive in on the topic, here’s a bit about Shannon:

Shannon Stamey is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in San Luis Obispo & Orcutt. She is passionate about helping women who are feeling overwhelmed by burnout, anxiety, depression and/or challenges that arise from transitions of life, such as divorce, to bring balance back to their lives and connect with their authentic selves.

AMFT #112871 – Supervised by Nicole Dolan LMFT #87662

Shannon sat down with me to talk about the importance of understanding our shame and combating both internal shame narratives and shame culture.  This is part one of a two-part series on the related topics of shame and burnout. Tune in next moth to hear Shannon’s insights on addressing burnout.

Resources:
Here is Shannon’s Website: shannonstameytherapist.com
TED Talks By  Dr. Brene Brown:

 Connect with us:

Looking for information on upcoming events? Have a speaker you’d like to nominate? Want to support local women in tech? Follow us on Facebook! 

Kellie Phillips on Successfully Managing Money as a Woman in Tech

We are excited to have Kellie Phillips as our special guest on this month’s WIT podcast.  

Before we dive in on the topic, here’s a bit about Kellie:
Kellie Phillips is an agent with New York Life Insurance now, but prior to last summer, worked in a number of local tech companies over her 30-year career.  After graduating with her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Kent State University in Ohio, and a few stops along the way, Kellie moved to the Central Coast in 1989.  By chance, luck, or some combination, she started her journey in tech with local telecom entrepreneur Jeff Buckingham at Call America in 1990.  Back when AT&T’s monopoly was being broken up, before cell phones, personal computers or even public access to the internet.  It may sound crazy, but Kellie is convinced it was the best time to be a young woman jumping into the telecom industry, when it felt like all you really needed was a brain in your head and the tenacity to figure sh#t out.  Kellie gravitated to the client side of business early, which became her passion.  The change from leadership roles in other companies to joining NYL as an agent still allows her to pursue the work she has always enjoyed the most – bringing life changing value – now she just gets to do it for her own clients.  After years of mentoring women in business settings, she is focuses on helping them plan and protect their futures.  Best job ever, with the exception of raising her 2 kids, Mason & Cate, with the love of her life Randy Myrick.  P.S. arguably her favorite job, & most valuable accomplishment.

Kellie sat down with me to talk about the importance of making a realistic financial plan and finding the right people to help you do it:

Resources:
Here is the quiz we mentioned in the podcast—see how well you do!
QUIZ – Womens Market Personal Finance Quiz_INTERACTIVE
 Connect with us:

Looking for information on upcoming events? Have a speaker you’d like to nominate? Want to support local women in tech? Follow us on Facebook! 

Dr. Kristi Harter on Menstruation and Menopause in the Workplace

We are so excited to have Dr. Kristi Harter as our special guest on this month’s WIT podcast.  Dr. Kristi is a naturopathic doctor focusing on women’s health in Santa Barbara. 

Before we dive in on the topic, here’s a bit about Dr. Harter:
Dr. Kristi Wrightson-Harter graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina, with a concentration in Restaurant Management.  While her classmates were learning about managing the business of restaurants, Dr. Wrightson-Harter was diving into the management of the body—fascinated with the importance of food intake as it relates to optimal health.  After several years, Dr. Wrightson-Harter went back to school for therapeutic massage, where she explored the deep connection between the mind and the body.  Through this process, Dr. Wrightson-Harter found naturopathic medicine and enrolled in Bastyr University, the world’s leading naturopathic university.
During her schooling at Bastyr, Dr. Wrightson-Harter worked with physicians from Northside Hospital in Atlanta as well as several integrated health clinics in Seattle.  This training exposed her to perspectives from both conventional and holistic medicine, creating a more complete protocol of care that employs characteristics from both forms of healing.  While getting her Naturopathic Doctorate, Dr. Wrightson realized the importance of educating her patients on health issues related to food and proceeded to get her Master’s in Nutrition.  She utilizes this exceptional background in treating her patients: using each person’s unique internal blueprint as the guide for working within the basic principles of health.
While she continues to have an integrated primary care practice, today, Dr. Wrightson-Harter focuses on women’s health, hormonal balancing and anti-aging therapies using an integrative approach.
Dr. Wrightson-Harter is a member of the California Association of Naturopathic Physicians as well as a supporting member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, the only nationally recognized association for licensed ND’s.

Dr. Kristi sat down with me to talk about the importance of understanding female hormones and their impact on our workplaces.  Hear all her insights in the interview below:

Resources:
Here are a few interesting articles that discuss “period policies” in the workplace to think about:

The Conversation: Three Reasons Employers Need to Recognize Menopause
The Guardian: Menstrual Leave
BBC: Can Period Leave Ever Work? 

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Looking for information on upcoming events? Have a speaker you’d like to nominate? Want to support local women in tech? Follow us on Facebook! 

Ashley Fry on Male Allies

We are so excited to have Ashley Fry as our special guest on this month’s WIT podcast. Ashley was one of our dynamic keynote speakers at our 2019 Women in Tech Dinner. In fact, we got so many great questions, we decided to sit down and explore the topic of male allies a bit more. 

Announcement: we’re doing a special drawing this month at our WIT breakfast. On June 5th, 2019 at 4 Cats in SLO, where our WIT breakfast meets, anyone who brings a male ally will be entered into a drawing for a giftcard (one for them and one for their ally).  We’ll have a second drawing for male allies who come on their own and know the codeword shared in the podcast.

Before we dive in on the topic, here’s a bit about Ashley:

Ashley Fry is currently the VP of Agile Development & Quality at Dassault Systemes, IQMS and also consults with businesses as a Leadership & Organizational Strategist and Scrum Coach.
It was in a Tech Support role where Ashley discovered the exhilarating high she received from uncovering and getting to the bottom of bugs. She made her way into product development gaining experience in various roles and ultimately worked her way up to management. Ashley has about 10 years of experience working in fast-paced Agile Scrum environments and has led large product development teams, creating both SaaS and on-premise solutions.
Ashley is passionate about creating psychologically safe, experimentation-based work cultures centered around learning, autonomy, and celebrating failure. She is a devout believer that cultivating this type of environment ignites employees’ passion, ownership, and empowerment. Ashley is also a champion for women empowerment and engagement in leadership roles- specializing in tech.
Ashley sat down with me to talk about the importance of male allies—why we need them, how to support them, and pro-tips for becoming one. Hear all her insights in the interview below:

Resources:
During the podcast, Ashley recommended a few resources for becoming and supporting allies:

 Connect with us:

Looking for information on upcoming events? Have a speaker you’d like to nominate? Want to support local women in tech? Follow us on Facebook! 

2019 Women in Tech Update

Hello SLO WIT!
It’s been a bit since we had a post up, so we’re do for a quick update. 2019 is off to a great start for our WIT community. We started a new podcast, changed up the format of our breakfasts, and had an awesome Women in Tech dinner (shoutout to everyone who attended and made it such a success!). We even have a new newsletter focused on women in tech that will be coming to inboxes near you.
For those of you who want the scoop on everything that’s happened, here’s the short recap:

  • WIT has a new mission statement: To be a resource to women in the central coast community, supporting their pursuit of technical knowledge and careers through empowerment, professional development, and education.

  • Women in Softec leadership—while we’ve always had dynamic women on the Softec board and in leadership positions over the years, we’re excited to have Victoria Hanna as our president and Kelly Irish as our Vice President this year.
  • Our annual theme is retention. We’re talking about strategies to retain diverse talent on three levels: personal, organizational, and community.
  • We’re podcasting! Once a month we do a 15-20 minute podcast episode around a topic. We interview an expert and bring your questions. These get posted so everyone can listen to them prior to our breakfasts. We’re doing our best to pair them with resources and links you can take back to your workplace. Find updates here on our blog, on Soundcloud, or on Facebook.
  • Breakfasts are no longer interviews, but a discussion of the topic from the podcast. It’s a win-win—we get better audio quality on the interviews and you get more time to connect and discuss the topic.
  • WIT Newsletter: it’s coming soon! We’ll have a place for you to sign-up to receive emails about our events and get the podcast delivered directly to you inbox.
  • We’re listening: we want to hear from you—at our breakfasts and lunches, via social media, or through interpretive dance. Don’t be shy about sharing your questions, thoughts, ideas, poems, or insights—our community is why we do what we do.

We’re looking forward to a great year—thanks for being part of our community!

Lori Jordan at our September 2018 Women in Tech Breakfast

We were so excited to have Lori Jordan as our special guest at this month’s WIT breakfast.

Lori Jordan moved to San Luis Obispo in 2012 after living in Los Angeles for ten years. Before this she was in San Francisco after leaving San Luis Obispo in 1998. Lori graduated from Cal Poly with a B.S. in Recreation Administration and a specialized concentration in Industrial Engineering.
 
Straight out of school, Lori worked for local SLO radio stations as the Promotions Director. She moved to San Francisco in 1998 where she found her place at OpenTV. A Start-up with under 100 employees, Lori experienced the growth and eventual IPO of the company while serving as Product Manager, Tools. After working at two more start-ups in SF, Lori eventually moved to Los Angeles in 2002 where she worked for Yahoo!, Movielink, Netflix and Paramount Pictures. She mostly focused on the new market of Digital Distribution for film and TV.
While at Paramount Pictures, Lori was inspired to start a business in the digital content space, so did just this with her husband. Red Staple focused on creating and delivering interactive movies, albums and books to the iTunes platform. She also started a company in the knitting and fiber industry, Yarn Pop, which she ultimately sold in 2015.
Today, Lori works at the Cal Poly, Center For Innovation & Entrepreneurship where she heads up programs and the Summer Accelerator as the Director of Student Innovation Programs.

Hear Lori’s insights on startups, creating culture, and  developing innovation by checking out the track below:

Note: Thanks for your patience with our audio quality. We’re grassroots and meeting in a coffee shop, so some noise slips through—but we feel the information is just to important not to post.

Looking for information on upcoming events? Have a speaker you’d like to nominate? Want to support local women in tech? Follow us on Facebook! 

Judy Mahan at our August 2018 Women in Tech Breakfast

We were so excited to have Judy Mahan was our special guest at this month’s WIT breakfast.

Judy Mahan has a dual role as the Incubator Director for the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the SLO HotHouse, and the Director of the Cal Poly Small Business Development Center (“SBDC”). At the SLO HotHouse, she leads the programming to assist in the business development of the twenty-one current incubating companies. On the SBDC side, Judy manages the pool of 24 expert consultants who support SBDC clients. With her experience as a corporate and securities attorney, Judy also provides legal guidance to more than 135 company clients within the SLO County SBDC network.
After graduating with a J.D. from the University of Paris X Law School, in France, Judy pursued an LLM in International Tax Law at Golden Gate University, San Francisco. She immediately began her career as an associate attorney for DLA Piper (formerly Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich, LLP) in Palo Alto.  During her time in Silicon Valley, she represented tech startups in venture financings, as well as institutional investors in private equity and debt transactions. She also represented companies in public offerings (IPOs), and has experience in general licensing and commercial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions.
Judy has led a number of mutli-million dollar deals, including the IPO for Salon Media Group, Maxtor Corporation’s acquisition of Quantum’s computer hard disk line of business, and a number of acquisitions for Finisar Corporation, the world’s largest supplier of optical communication components and subsystems.
With her inquisitive personality, Judy’s career has been interspersed with a few adventures to the pacific region: one year in Vanuatu as a Senior Manager of Trust and Corporate Services, and another in the Federated States of Micronesia (“FSM”) as the Special Assistant to the President of FSM.
Hear Judy’s insights on starting a business, starting over, and calling out sexism by checking out the track below:

Note: Thanks for your patience with our audio quality. We’re grassroots and meeting in a coffee shop, so some noise slips through—but we feel the information is just to important not to post.

Looking for information on upcoming events? Have a speaker you’d like to nominate? Want to support local women in tech? Follow us on Facebook!