Linktree’s Post

Last week, I returned to SXSW in Austin, TX for the first time in years and noticed significant changes in the event's dynamics. Last decade I routinely heard a lot of pitches around the latest and greatest companies or promises of “I have an app for that” to get funding.  Having been part of the early days of public sector SXSW prominence nearly a decade ago - one still carried forward at the Capital Factory -  it was refreshing to see the focus on solving problems caught on. Now midway through this decade the founders, funders, and large company partners at SXSW universally discuss macro challenges.  This is a welcome pivot for someone with a focus on business growth, not merely product sales.  No doubt that in the years I attended SXSW previously, quick deals made founders money and investor ROI. But today’s alignment on broad market challenges and how to best satiate them better represents the path to sustainable and multifaceted business success. This point was hammered home at Fast Company's discussion with Canva. Not just a software to make graphics, Canva's Co-founder Cameron Adams discussed the core mission to democratize visualization for businesses, organizations, and individuals. Not just “an app for that,” but a business to fulfill a previously-unarticulated market opportunity. Similarly, I’m especially proud to have represented FLEXNODE, a start up redefining the future of digital infrastructure, during this SXSW experience. At the nexus of the built and digital space, FLEXNODE isn’t building a product with an already defined market segment. It’s solving the complex and interdependent data, real estate, and environmental challenges associated with compute capacity. Again - not another SaaS play - but a solution to a problem not before precisely defined. Timing was perfect as we celebrated International Women’s Day this past Saturday. I participated in a panel discussion sponsored by Ellevoy, a platform designed to connect women founders with venture capitalists. We consistently emphasized the importance of simultaneously developing the business and product to reach success, a task that's notably challenging without adequate support. I wrote once that solving problems is a stronger formula than just selling business.  If SXSW Interactive 2024 is any indication, this formula is continuing to be true. Check out that article here: https://lnkd.in/eXh7zEED #internationalwomensday #ellevoy #femalefounders #fractional #advisors #vc #sxsw

Gen-Z is actively shaping today's market. Raised in a world of smartphones and social media, they expect more from brands. Here are three key strategies to win their hearts: 1️⃣ Gen-Z values authenticity above all else. Be genuine in your brand's messaging and actions. Show them who you are and what you stand for—transparently and sincerely. 2️⃣ Celebrate diversity in all its forms. Gen-Z is incredibly diverse and expects brands to reflect and respect this diversity in their marketing, hiring practices, and product offerings. 3️⃣ Being digital natives, Gen-Z expects personalized experiences. Leverage technology to offer tailored recommendations, customized services, and seamless digital interactions. TRIARE team specializes in crafting digital solutions that resonate with Gen-Z and beyond. Let's discuss how our custom advanced software solutions can innovate your product offerings and drive your brand forward! #triare #triareteam #businessbenefits #customdevelopment #bespokesolutions #genz

Back home from #sxsw2024, here are my insights from the best panels that I attended. I love the cases of success of female founders because they are often underinvested (less than 2% of funding). I started with Kendra Scott and Cindy Eckert sharing their stories, inspiring valuable thoughts that I can apply to my work at YUS NYC and Souvie Cosméticos Orgânicos. For Kendra, the best lessons to differentiate yourself as an entrepreneur and have customers for life are: failures are paths that direct you, stay open after closing a business, lift women up, hire on heart, and care about your customer as if they are your boss. Cindy famous sale of her business (of female-Viagra), for $1bi in cash (and refusal of a $900mi offer) taught us the importance of knowing our value. She had already received $70mi from 40 investors, when the FDA rejected the product registration. But she kept listening to the science and the women impacted with the trials results with an unwavering conviction. “Society never asks a woman: Are you satisfied?” For her, success is impact and what was never asked can change your business and the reality of millions of women. Then, the highly desired panel with Brené Brown and Esther Perel took us 2 hours in a line but was wholehearted. According to them, we suffer because problems feel beyond human scale. Esther re-signified AI as Artificial Intimacy and pointed out that we are using our phones to commodify and commercialized our experiences, as much as a vulnerability shield. The solution pass through experiencing joy IRL due to the power of that stories to create bridge to true human connections. I’d love to become their friend in real life. I found more good stories in a panel named "Create inclusive beauty communities by knowing your audience". Speaking about the Gen Z favorite beauty brand E.L.F. BEAUTY, Ekta Chopra showed how to be multigenerational by serving the community of hyper-aware customers. Now they are partners with Roblox for teaching the Gen Alpha about entrepreneurship on the platform. They found also the best puns like “every elf matters”. Then, I heard from Judy Lee of Pinterest to hyper-personalize the experience like their MANIFESTIVAL as a way for people to connect with the brand in a more authentic way. Gold other tips: value consistency, diversify among platforms, and add something to the conversation. The last relevant talk was Jon Youshaei’s, giving insider’s insights but mostly unlocking Beyoncé long-lasting career secret: Copy with Taste (instead of Copy and Paste). Queen B teaches us through her video clips and YouTube bank memory: to blend from many sources, sharing the credit and hiring them to share the visibility. Wrapping up: Research, Remix, Repackage. There were more memorable moments, insights, photos, and people, but they belong to some living-not-sharing experiences and remain in a safe place inside me, waiting for the right person and right occasion to be listened, not posted ;)

Motivated Money Monday: Brand Power, Relevance, and Bold Moves ✨ At the Innovate Festival, I was reminded of the unique power of entrepreneurship. Three dynamic women leaders—Amanda E/J Morrison Morrison of Julie, Melissa Ben-Ishay of Baked by Melissa, and @Yoon Ahn a designer with collaborations from Nike to Bulgari—shared how they built brands that resonate far beyond their products. Here’s what stood out: Tap Into Passion & Purpose: Each brand started with a passion—whether it’s reproductive justice or cupcakes—and a vision to make a difference. Find what drives you and build a brand that speaks to your values and purpose. Stay Connected to Culture: Relevance comes from knowing your audience and speaking to their world. From Tiktok trends to college coffee shop partnerships, these leaders understand that success requires being tapped into the culture and evolving alongside it. Bold Moves Bring Big Rewards: Whether it’s discussing reproductive health in a world that shies away from tough conversations or pivoting a cupcake brand to nationwide success, they leaned into bold choices. Don’t shy away from taking risks if it aligns with your mission. These women show us that building a brand isn’t just about products—it’s about engaging in cultural conversations, leading with purpose, and staying nimble in a changing world. Ready to make your next bold move? Let’s discuss how YOU plan to stay relevant and build your brand with purpose in a rapidly changing landscape! 💡💼 What bold move are you making this week? Drop a comment below! 👇 Fast Company Fast Company Events #MotivatedMoneyMonday #BrandBuilding #Entrepreneurship #CultureAndBusiness #Innovation #BoldMoves #FastCompany #F10

Networking with strong, like-minded individuals is like charging up your entrepreneurial batteries in a room full of positive vibes!  I recently had a blast at the SHE Founders LAUNCHPAD event, co-hosted with Google at their Gurgaon office. It was like diving into a pool of inspiration and high-fives! 💥 The launch of SHE Founders community, led by the dynamic duo Rakhee Singal and Shivani Singh, was like setting off fireworks in the entrepreneurial sky! This powerhouse community is all about women-led businesses coming together to conquer, collaborate, and create magic. Guess what? 🙌 The event was more star-studded than a Hollywood premiere! We had the privilege of soaking up wisdom from incredible speakers like Annurag Batra, Roma Datta Chobey, Shumita Kakkar, Simran Khara, and MasterChef Aditi Madan and a amazing Panel Discussion as well.Their insights were like golden nuggets of entrepreneurial wisdom, leaving us all buzzing with excitement! 👉 At IndusTreeBiz , we're all about lifting each other up, especially our fellow women entrepreneurs facing the corporate jungle. SHE FOUNDERS reminded us just how crucial it is to support and champion the ladies blazing trails in the business world. 🤩 Talk about girl power in action! SHE FOUNDERS was not just an event; it was a celebration of the unstoppable force that is women entrepreneurs. It was like being surrounded by a tribe of superheroes, each with their own unique powers and stories. 🤗 Gratitude overload! Being part of the event was like winning the entrepreneurial lottery. Connecting with such incredible souls who are shaping the future was an absolute honor. Can't wait for the next adventure with these game-changers! Kshitij Kulshreshtha , Priyanka Sachdeva, Shweta Singla #shefounder #google #womenentrepreneur #womenempowerment #narishakti #indianwomen #shwetaraka

Non-technical founder? 👩✈️ On Friday 2nd Feb in partnership with Female Founders Rise we’re opening the doors of our office for founders to come hang out, work, and chat with our product experts! So, if you’re a female or non-binary founder of a tech business or where tech is a core part of your product, we’d love to see you there 💗 We’ll be answering questions like: 💭 How do I know what features to build? 💭 What existing tools (e.g. Shopify) should/could be using? 💭 What’s it’s like to work with an agency? 💭 Should I hire a PM/dev/designer? Female Founders Rise is a community of over 2000 female and non-binary founders in the UK coming together for collaboration, growth, and support 🌱 Get your ticket now ⤵️ https://lu.ma/FFRTechMeet

🔥 What an incredible lineup we have for Beauté In Tech at SF Tech Week! I'm so excited to have so many powerful women on stage from tech, fashion, venture capital, wellness, and finance. These leaders are breaking barriers, driving innovation, and creating opportunities for the next generation of creators, founders, and investors. Whether you're building your own startup, navigating the world of investments, or scaling a wellness brand, this event is packed with insights from those who have walked the walk and redefined industries. These incredible women who are changing the game! 👉 Check out the post description for all the details on each speaker and how they are contributing to the future of women in tech. You don’t want to miss this conversation! We’re just getting started, and I can’t wait to see everyone at SF Tech Week! #SFTechWeek #WomenInTech #Founders #Investors #Creators #FemaleFounders #TechLeaders #WomenWhoLead #InvestInWomen

2024: The Year PixelBloom Took Root 🌱 This year has been nothing short of transformative for PixelBloom. What started as a dream to empower Kenyan businesses with bold, vibrant digital strategies has blossomed into something truly special. ✨ Highlights of 2024 ✨ Our launch: PixelBloom officially opened its doors, and with it, we stepped into the world of crafting impactful digital solutions. From building stunning websites to creating engaging campaigns, every project has been a stepping stone. Building Relationships: Connecting with businesses across Kenya has been the heart of our journey. From small local startups to established brands, we’ve been honored to help them grow and thrive in the digital space. Expanding Our Team: PixelBloom started with a small group of passionate minds, and today, we’re a growing family. Our team of creatives, strategists, and dreamers have made every milestone possible. 💡What we’ve learned: • Community is everything: Our work is more than just digital strategies; it’s about building a supportive, thriving network of businesses and people. • Growth takes time: Like any bloom, it takes patience, nurturing, and care to grow. Every success, big or small, has been worth celebrating. • Bold ideas work: Taking risks and thinking outside the box has led to some of our proudest achievements this year. What’s next? 2025 will be our year to bloom even brighter. We’re excited to collaborate with more businesses, explore new creative strategies, and help Kenyan brands thrive on a global stage. Here’s to every client, every teammate, and every supporter who’s been part of our journey so far. Thank you for believing in PixelBloom. Let’s continue to grow together. Ready to bloom with us in 2025? Let’s connect! 🌸 #PixelBloom #DigitalMarketing #Kenyanbusinesses #Growth #Mombasa #Nairobi #Kenya #Africa

Just a reminder that if you don't post about your business, your customers can't find you. It feels cringe to post about my businesses, PDS Lab and theanna.io, almost daily, but every time I do it, I get 5 new sign-ups to the early access list. Why? Every time I post, the algorithm finds new people. So if it feels weird or cringey to self-promote, who gives a shit. How else will people know what you're up to!? #buildinginpublic Week 2 releases Monday to the Theanna early access list. https://www.theanna.io/ LFG and HFF (Happy Fucking Friday)! -- Hi, I'm Nomiki - the founder of PDS Lab, a tech accelerator for women, and theanna.io, a data-driven network activating women tech founders from $0- $1M ARR. I'm on a mission to bring access to all women tech founders, close the access gap, and support women build products that change the world. Follow me on my journey as a tech founder, accelerator builder, and mom of 4.