September 8, 2025 • 30 mins
What does it take to break into tech without a computer science degree? In this captivating episode of Service X Factor, we meet Emily, whose journey from art major to successful tech professional challenges conventional wisdom about career paths in technology.
Emily's story begins at a crossroads after being laid off from her job in Chicago. Despite having no formal technical education, she taught herself coding languages like Python and SQL, leveraging her network to land her first tech position. Seven years later, she's thriving in an industry where she once felt like an outsider. Her experience highlights a crucial truth: tenacity matters more than credentials when building a career in technology.
The conversation delves into the unique challenges women face in tech environments. Emily speaks candidly about battling imposter syndrome while being judged against male counterparts and shares how she balances the demands of her career with motherhood. Rather than seeing these challenges as limitations, she's transformed them into strengths, developing exceptional organizational skills and learning to prioritize effectively.
Mentorship emerges as a powerful theme throughout the discussion. Emily credits her success to influential mentors who guided her professional development, while she now pays it forward by mentoring high school students in tech incubator programs. One particularly touching moment comes when she describes a female student thanking her for demonstrating that women belong in STEM fields.
The conversation also explores practical applications of emerging technologies. Emily shares how she's created custom AI agents to streamline both work tasks and her personal side business of thrifting and reselling items online. Her approach demonstrates how AI can be harnessed for practical, everyday solutions rather than just theoretical applications.
For listeners considering a career pivot or facing obstacles in their professional journey, Emily's parting wisdom resonates deeply: "If there was never a seat at the table, I would make my own." Her story is a powerful reminder that with persistence and courage, you can create your own path in any industry, regardless of your background.
Tune in to hear Emily's full journey and discover how women are reshaping the technology landscape one seat at the table at a time.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Welcome everyone to another edition of the Service X
Factor podcast.
I am your host, scott LaFonte,and I am here, of course, with
my esteemed colleague andco-host, mr William Quad
McClendon.
Will, how's it going?
You're just back from vacation.
You look relaxed, yeah, manmuch-needed vacation.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Got a lot of good sunshine and a lot of good food,
so looking forward to kickingoff the work week the right way.
So this is an easy out ofcoming back into the office,
returning into the office here,as we have an awesome guest.
We know who we love and shecan't do no wrong.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Thanks for having me guys.
Awesome, yeah, and it's ourgood friend and colleague, emily
is on the call with us.
So, emily, welcome to ourpodcast and you'll see it's very
casual.
You know we just chat.
I mean, look at, look at, willhe's got a nice tan from the Sun
, he looks great refreshed.
Does it block fresh?
Speaker 1 (01:18):
I was hope we didn't get canceled before the 10th
episode, but I think that'sthat's too late, right that is
definitely too late.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Yeah, I think this will be the last one.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
Right.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
It's all good.
It's all good.
So today we're obviouslycontinuing our Women in
Technology series, and so we'redefinitely grateful to have
Emily on talking about differenttopics and, of course, her
story within this space andtechnology as a whole, so
definitely looking forward togetting into it.
(01:51):
So, will, why don't you kick usoff here and let's see what we
can find out about Miss Emily?
Speaker 1 (01:57):
All right, First things first.
Let me just intro.
I met Emily about three months.
Four months ago.
We started here at CongruentXdoing some awesome work and
immediately it was, like youknow became an instant fan.
But for those who don't knowyou, Emily, you mind giving us a
little bit of an intro, tellingus about yourself, and we'll
get into the nitty gritty of thequestions and all that fun
stuff.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Sure, absolutely.
Thanks again for having me.
Yeah, so I started atCongruentX here about three or
four months ago.
I've been in the tech space forgoing on seven years or so.
Before that I kind of had avariety of jobs as I lived in
Chicago, you know, doing sales,office management, kind of
(02:38):
different odd jobs here andthere.
And then I did get laid off andduring that time I kind of had
to take a look in the mirror andI felt like I was at a
crossroads, just trying tofigure out my life and where I
wanted to go.
I felt like I wasn't really,you know, being used to my full
potential.
So I took some time to, youknow, figure out what I wanted
to do and I wanted to be in thetech world.
(03:00):
You know before that I had notreally been in that, in that
space.
You know before that I had notreally been in that space.
I graduated from University ofIowa with an art degree and
double majored in communication,so it wasn't really something
that I had studied.
I didn't have a big backgroundin it.
So I took some time while I waslaid off to start learning
coding, learning things likePython and SQL, and actually
(03:22):
sitting with one of my friendswho at the time was employed at
a tech consulting company andafter a few months I was able to
get a job at a startup where weworked with POS systems and
then from there I ended up goinginto the tech consulting world,
basically through, you know,having some network connections
with friends.
So I was very lucky to to getinto this space.
(03:45):
You know, sometimes it reallyis about who you know and really
really putting yourself outthere.
It was challenging but reallyexciting and since then I feel
like I've just kind of been, youknow, kicked into the deep end
again and again.
You know it's just learning onthe job, learning on the fly,
and I think a lot of people havethat kind of experience,
especially if you don't have acomputer science degree.
(04:06):
You kind of learn as you go andlean on your support systems at
you know, at work, and lean onyour peers to learn, and so
that's kind of what's gotten meto where I am today.
I'm pretty proud of myself.
It's been been a lot of hardwork, that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
That's such a great story and I can relate to it.
I do not have a computerscience degree, I actually have
a marketing degree, and I'vebeen in this field now for 26
glorious years.
I learned I started learningC++ and I was like, yeah, no,
I'd rather be the front end guy.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
I am not a coder you literally just made my day like
you and as a marketer, just likeI.
I, just, I could, just, I couldsee you as the, as the, as the
red sox, perfect, matt that'sdone.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
He's sitting in the red socks, perfect.
You just.
You just made me vomit a littlebit in my throat.
It was saying the red socks.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
So, emily, you have to have, like there's some
amazing personality traits thatcome from your journey.
Like, I mean, what was oneother than being incredibly
persistent and resilient?
What are some personalitytraits that you feel are
necessary for you to kind ofmake headway into this industry?
Personality traits that youfeel are necessary for you to
kind of make headway into thisindustry?
Because, I mean, we can't justlook at you and say, hey, look
(05:32):
at your story, rather and sayhey, it was just luck.
You know that you put in thework.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Yeah, I think tenacity, you know trying again
and again, you know, don't takeno for an answer, especially,
yeah, as a woman.
You know it's hard and you dohave that imposter syndrome or
you always feel like you're notliving up or you're being, you
know, judged against your malepeers and it can be really,
really challenging.
So just being tenacious andstaying true to yourself and
(05:57):
your values, I think, is to me,what is what's most important
and what has helped me besuccessful thus far.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
And you're a mother as well, right?
So you balance that which Idon't know, if you know about.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Yeah, it's a lot that mental load that all us moms
have.
It's really challenging, youknow you've got a full workday
and then it just it never ends.
But women are strong, we get itdone.
Amen to that.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Amen to that, no doubt, Plus you know what you
scare Will.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
I'm nice, I swear.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
You know what?
Don't listen to her, everyoneDon't listen to her.
She's a pit bull.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
Hey, I've got to be.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
That's right.
No, you know really your story.
You know I hope resonates witha lot of our listeners in terms
of your you know what you weresharing with your journey and
being, you know laid off and youknow really being resilient.
I think that just goes to yourtestament of you know who you
(07:01):
are and the tenacity to continueforging ahead.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
So I got a personal question.
What was the moment you werelike you know, hey and I'm
asking this because I know thisis going to lead into a
follow-up question but what wasthe moment?
You were like hey, this is themoment I felt like I arrived
within the industry.
I'm here, I'm not goinganywhere.
This is my home.
Hello world, here we are.
What was that moment for you?
Speaker 3 (07:28):
I mean, every time I was put on a new project, you
know, I felt kind of on top ofthe world.
Last year I was invited by acounterpart to attend the Women
in Microsoft event downtownChicago, and to me that was
really exciting.
It felt like I kind of had aseat at the table, that I was
being taken seriously in theindustry.
And it was also really excitingto listen to other strong
(07:53):
female leaders in this industryand hear their stories, which
were so similar to mine.
You know, I think having thosekinds of conversations was
really enlightening and it mademe feel like, you know, I I had
made it and I belong here doesit ever go away?
Speaker 1 (08:10):
kind of those feelings of inadequacy, um, as
if you don't belong, like how doyou kind of manage that?
And you know, I know, you know,I, I, I know we kind of all put
on like I know, I do, I put onthe happy face, and then all of
a sudden there's this onecomplex, you know, conversation,
or I'm amongst a group ofpeople who I'm like good Lord,
(08:30):
this one has a degree ofStafford, this one has this
degree.
I'm like I, I'm not that.
Why am I even at this table?
Does it ever go away for you?
Speaker 3 (08:39):
no, you know, I think if it does go away, then maybe
that's a red flag, because weshould always be learning.
You know they say never.
You never want to be thesmartest person in the room and
I don't think I ever have been,I don't know if I ever will be,
because you know it's all aboutthe journey.
It's you're learning new thingsevery day, we all, you know,
just surrounding yourself withsmart people that you can talk
(09:02):
to, work through problemstogether.
You know I'm never going tohave all the answers, I don't
know if anyone will, but it'sthat just continued learning
that is so important to.
You know, grow personally andprofessionally.
So I hope that sense never goesaway.
It puts the pressure on to keepimproving and keep learning and
growing.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
That's a brilliant way to take a negative and make
it a positive man.
I love that.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
And I am definitely not the smartest person in any
room, that is absolutely forsure.
I didn't say you were at thattable.
I'm nowhere near the table.
If anything, I'm at the littlekid's table.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Same, same.
I'm just yeah, same, absolutelyso.
Has mentorship or peer supporthelped you with some of the
navigation of some of thesefeelings?
I mean it's not all negativethings right, you've done a lot
of positive, had a lot ofpositive impacts in the
community.
How has the mentorship helpedyou to have like a more positive
view and make improvements inour community?
Speaker 3 (10:10):
Because it's such a small, tight-knit community.
Yeah, mentorship is one of thethings most important to me in
my life.
I'm lucky to have had someincredible mentors.
You know, both of my parentsare amazing people.
My dad has mentored me my wholelife.
He was Citizen of the Year forBatavia.
This year he's a communitychampion for an incubator
program.
I've also had professionalmentors my last CEO, hollis, and
my counterpart, porik.
They've both been huge.
(10:30):
They've had so much influenceon my life because they are so
experienced and so knowledgeableyou know, just having leaders
that I can ask questions day inand day out.
You know they'll talk throughmy problem, give me great advice
.
I'm so appreciative of that.
And, on the flip side, actingas a mentor myself is also
(10:51):
incredibly important.
I have been a mentor for anincubator program at my old high
school, where it's a classwhere these high school students
participate in and they learnabout things like sales,
marketing, technology,presentations, creating a
business plan and at the end ofthe school year they present
these business plans and getreal life funding.
(11:13):
So this past year I mentored ateam and the class at least in
my experience it's very maledominated.
Maybe 20% of the class isfemales and I did have a female.
One out of the five kids on myteam that I mentored this year
was a female, and it was justreally important for me to make
sure that she and the entireteam was set up for success.
(11:36):
All these kids are justabsolutely brilliant.
But the thing that really justmade it all worth it was at the
end of the year.
She texted me and was just likeit was so amazing to have a
female mentor and coach and toshow that there's women in STEM,
women in tech, and that we cando this.
(11:57):
So I mean that made all thework worth it to me.
Just showing up and showingthat women belong here for the
next generation of leaders, Ithink is incredibly important.
It was really special.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
Yeah, that's a fact, I mean it's, it's.
I can say, when my daughterfirst told me, you know, six,
eight, six, seven years ago, youknow, that she wanted to jump
into tech, I was kind of likereal hesitant.
I was like, nah, you don't wantto do that because of where we
were as a, as a group, as acommunity, with women in the
field.
You know, it's just, it's tough.
(12:33):
And then in the last, I wouldsay last five, six months, you
know, when she's, you know,brought it up cause my
daughter's incredibly persistent, I can kind of nod and I'm like
, all right, I see someimprovement, I can, I can, you
know, we can help you with that,you know.
And and so it's good thatpeople continue to put
themselves out there and offerthat mentorship, I mean because
that next generation, I pausedthem saying they're coming.
(12:56):
I feel like they're here.
Oh yeah, they're definitelyyeah.
They're up, they're up, they'reup.
So shifting gears a little bit.
Let's talk about sometechnology.
Let's go yeah.
What are some cool features intech that you're interested in?
We'll talk about how theyhelped you out in your career.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
Sure, I mean, you know, very recently, after
starting congruent x, you knowwe are really really leaning on
ai.
Obviously, that's whateverybody's is doing these days,
but I think all of us takinginitiative to keep learning
about it and creating our ownagents that has been an
incredible learning experiencefor me.
(13:36):
Creating specific agents tohelp me complete tasks that I do
day to day that are personal tome has been awesome.
Bots or agents that help mecomplete project management, or
(14:01):
even creating agents forpersonal use.
I have a side hobby where Ithrift and resell and I created
a custom AI agent to help mecreate listings that will have
descriptions and SEO keywordsthat'll make my items sell
faster and for more money.
You know it's nice so exciting.
There's so much opportunity inthat space no, that's, that's
(14:23):
awesome, like it's.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
It's so much more than just a word salad generator
.
That's just what I've sometimescalled it back in 20, you know
2022 yeah, 2023 yeah, it was.
You know who doesn't love thesesalary?
We're.
We've moved beyond that, Ithink, in this space, and so
it's great that you're.
I think that's one of the mostclever things I've I've for
(14:48):
personally.
It's great in our space, ourspace.
So, if we look at the platform,like you know, you jumped into
Power Apps, you jumped into D365.
What are some cool parts?
I mean, you know we talkedabout AI.
What are some areas that you'dlike to see more improvement in?
Or maybe something that youthink your customers can get
immediate impact in?
Speaker 3 (15:09):
or, you know, just give us your thoughts on it
impact in or, you know, justgive us your thoughts on it.
Oh gosh, I think you know oneof the most interesting
challenges that I've come acrossrecently is just our clients
and customers being able to keepup with all of the new features
that are rolling out.
I've had multiple clients askfor a service where we literally
(15:31):
just tell them about newfeatures, you know, on different
platforms, whether it's PowerApps, Power BI, D365.
You know Microsoft is puttingout so many new features that
it's hard to keep up with.
It's amazing that things areimproving and coming out so fast
and sometimes it's hard for ourclients, who maybe aren't
(15:55):
focused on keeping up with thatso frequently that it kind of
gets lost and they're like Iwant to use this but I don't
know how or I don't know whatit's best used for.
So I think that's one of thebiggest challenges is just
keeping up with these newfeatures rolling out and how.
New systems, how to use them,you know, especially for the
(16:16):
layman.
Speaker 1 (16:19):
I think there's an agent for like Microsoft Learn,
but maybe one for notifications.
Maybe that's a use case.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
Let's see if someone in the community can just go
ahead and grab it.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
I'm going to exclude a couple of people who I know
like if they hear this podcast,they're going to do it like
within five minutes.
Speaker 3 (16:34):
Yeah right.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
No, troy Taylor, shout out to Cappy Connector man
Miss you, bro.
Hope everything is going well.
But, yeah, hands off.
But I think it's something thatwe could probably do as a
community.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
I guess there's so many updates coming fast and
furious Forget just the PowerPlatform, but ai as a whole.
You know, every time you turnaround, whether it's co-pilot,
chat, gpt, whatever, whatever aiyou're using, things are
changing like all of a sudden.
It's like whoa, you know,here's a new model or here's a
new feature.
You know this has moved aroundbecause we, you know, made you
(17:07):
know this happen so it's.
It makes it very difficult to,you know, stay on top of things
and, and you know, that's one ofthe things we have to do, but
our customers just don't havethat capacity from a time
perspective to keep on top of it.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Absolutely.
Yeah cool, yeah cool.
And we all know how much yougot going on, so I want to talk
about something.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
I noticed that he was on vacation.
Do you notice that, Emily?
Speaker 3 (17:55):
Not later.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
I just wanted to make sure you noticed it like I did.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
I'm just hey, you know the rare times I take time
off.
You know what I mean.
I just got to talk about it.
So let's talk about kind ofsomething that's inspirational.
Honestly, emily, seven years,eight, nine years, that's long,
that's long, and I mean just tokeep knocking down doors.
If you had the ability to goback in time, what is something
(18:20):
you'd probably tell yourself?
What would you say?
Speaker 3 (18:23):
that's a good one.
Oh my gosh, that is a goodquestion.
Just that you're on the righttrack.
You know it was.
It was really scary to dip mytoe into this world and not know
if I would be successful, butyou know, being persistent and
being, you know, having a lot oftenacity, I think has served me
well.
You know, if there was never aseat at the table, I would make
(18:45):
my own, and that's, I thinkthat's what a lot of women have
to do.
You know you make your own seatat that table.
You have to figure it out andkind of push yourself to get to
where you want to be.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
That's some really great advice, you know,
especially for our youngerlisteners out there or you know
really anyone listening outthere right to make the.
You know, don't have your handout, don't expect you know
people to just hand you anything.
You have to go make it happen.
Whether you know young, old,male, female doesn't matter.
You know who you are, you knowyou got to work hard for you
(19:20):
know, getting what you, what youfeel you deserve or what you
need?
Speaker 3 (19:25):
Yeah, exactly, it's a lot of knocking down those
doors, knocking down those wallsand just pushing, pushing a lot
.
Speaker 1 (19:35):
So what are some areas you think we could
probably improve on?
I mean, just be blunt, Like youknow, I said those previous
times, you know, years ago itwasn't easy, it wasn't fun.
What are some areas in whichyou feel like we could help as a
community?
That would have made thejourney a little brutal, Some
areas I could say.
Speaker 3 (19:57):
I think, continuing to put women in leadership roles
.
I think, you know, everyone hasa different leadership style
and women especially lead with alot of heart and a lot of
empathy, which I think can bereally, really beneficial in the
workplace.
Just kind of lifting each otherup.
I think that's really important, you know, kind of lifting each
(20:19):
other up, I think that's reallyimportant.
You know, if I see a woman inleadership, it's very
inspirational to me and it justgives me the courage that I need
to keep pushing forward in myown journey.
You know, I think you know,when I went to the the women in
microsoft event, I saw deb kuppspeak, who's the president of
Americas for Microsoft, and Ithought she was incredible.
(20:40):
You know, she was bold andcourageous and obviously a very
hard worker and I was like Iwant to be like her.
You know, she's true to herselfand I think people high up are
great.
You know, women in leadershipare just incredible to see and
to emulate.
My own life after DARYL FOX.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
That's unreal.
I got a quick, just a thought.
I'm probably going to get in somuch trouble for this, I'm
going to navigate into thewaters of politics.
If we're okay with that,christopher COTTEN, go for it,
daryl FOX.
So you know, first and foremost, everyone knows I'm neutral in
all these matters, so there's noside that I lean to or any of
that garbage.
Just leave me out of.
It is how I feel.
But I'm going here because Ithink that I'm going here.
(21:28):
I think it's important to notethat we're not talking about
hiring somebody just based offof their gender.
What are some skills that womencan add that, quite frankly,
men can't?
Oh my God, where do I begin?
That might be true in thatwomen can add that, quite
frankly, men can't organizationlike.
I mean, we're not eating theheck out of each other with this
conversation, but really, ifyou're somebody who's let's say,
you're an entrepreneur, you'relooking to.
(21:49):
You know this word has gotten alot of negative publicity, but
if you look here I'm not gonnasay the D word, I got a better
one that they can't, peoplecan't steal.
Yet if you're looking toenhance your workforce, what are
some things that you look at?
You would see.
Speaker 3 (22:05):
Oh man, I mean, I think, especially with women,
just being able to balance a lotof things at once, especially
being a mother and being a womanin the workforce, is not
inherently tied to being amother or having a family.
But being able to balance allof these different things and
(22:29):
prioritize, I think, issomething that women especially
are really, really great at.
We have to be, we do it all andwe have to, and it's just part
of our daily life.
I think being organized andbeing great listeners is another
thing.
I think accepting feedback issomething that we're inherently
(22:53):
great at, and implementingchange.
You know women do a lot ofthings that I don't want to say
that men can't, but you know weall have different skills.
Speaker 1 (23:04):
I would get, but you know it's not.
I wasn't trying to, you know.
Let me backtrack a little bit.
I'm not making a hard linesaying we can't do it or you
can't do it.
You know there's some thingsthat maybe some people are, you
know, more inept or it's aharder or it's an easier
learning curve, and so you knowyou don't want to necessarily
put people in a box, but youdon't want to exclude them
(23:26):
either.
We don't want to say I'm notgoing to dare repeat the dumb
things people say about womenbecause I don't want to get in
trouble, but also it's stupid,it's too dumb to repeat, but we
don't want to put them in thatbox, right?
Speaker 3 (23:42):
We just want to basically keep our options open.
So, you know, let me helpsoften it a little bit, if
people are okay with that.
Yeah, and I mean, you know, Ithink feminism has become a
really challenging word in theserecent times.
To me, feminism is wantingequal opportunities for men and
women, and so in that sense, youknow, I think that feminism is
really important in theworkforce.
We all deserve equalopportunities and an equal seat
(24:05):
at the table.
Speaker 1 (24:07):
And they give everybody a shot.
Yeah, that's all I'm saying,and they'll probably get us in
trouble for saying that butthat's, it so if you had to like
, you know you got.
You got your little one comingup.
You know, yeah, some years inthe future I look at retiring in
the next 10 years, but it'snever going to happen.
I know it's not I.
I can just see it's never goingto happen.
(24:28):
But you know you're looking atyour legacy in the workforce.
What do you want it to be forthe next generation, especially
with women in technology?
What you are you looking for?
Speaker 3 (24:38):
I mean again and again, just equal opportunity,
and I think that it has recentlystarted to improve.
You know all of the differentinitiatives for women in tech or
diversity in tech.
I think it has started to kindof level out the playing field
and I hope it continues to belevel and give everyone a chance
(24:58):
to get into this field ifthat's what they want.
You know, I want my girls toknow that they can do anything
and they can be anything thatthey want to be.
I mean, right now, myfour-year-old just told me she
wants to be a princess.
You know, I hope that changesand she, you know, wants to be a
lawyer or a coder or president.
You know, but I think thatgiving the next generation just
(25:23):
the opportunity and the toolsfor success is what's most
important.
I think that especially, youknow, in higher education it
seems like they're reallyfocusing on improving.
You know, computer sciencedegrees and all the different
tech opportunities that collegestudents have that I don't think
they even had when I was goingthrough college.
(25:44):
You know, just these learningopportunities are just getting
more and more advanced and, just, you know, the field is getting
wider and I think that's reallyexciting.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
You know Charles said something really cool.
He said you know that saidsomething really cool.
He said that people are goingto have to start changing the
way they develop applications,especially with AI being out and
I can see it like 10 years fromnow.
These folks are going to haveto.
Hopefully it's easier and theapplications we're building are
(26:16):
a lot better with some of theenhancements we're making, so I
can see it being a better way.
Just throwing my little twocents down there.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
And who knows?
Speaker 2 (26:25):
Your daughter could become like the next princess of
some country overseas.
Who knows?
Who knows the world is heroyster.
That's right, you know what?
And if not, then you'll justhave to teach her about all the
ways of technology and andbreaking you know additional
barriers, because you know,hopefully by then the barriers
will.
You know there'll be a veryeven playing field, because we
(26:48):
all know that.
You know, unfortunately it'snot and that's, you know,
ridiculous in in my head, uh,and I'm sure many others like.
But you know, hopefully, youknow when she grows up it won't
be like that.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
Yeah, that is my hope and I'll be there to support
her in any way that she needs.
Speaker 1 (27:08):
Hey, she'll probably have a session on one of these
cool community groups, so it'llbe fun to look back and she can
play that recording and be like,hey, there's this guy who came
back from vacation and thissalty Red Sox I mean Yankees fan
and they were talking about,you know, talking to my awesome
mom about all these wonderfulthings that I'm going to do
Never know.
Speaker 2 (27:25):
Let's hope so All right, you know, we're just
going to.
You know what.
We'll send her the recording soshe can have it.
You know, put it in like a timecapsule, right.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
Like in high school, they put a time and just bury it
.
Perfect.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
So many better options to listen to other than
us.
That's fair.
That's absolutely fair, right.
Speaker 1 (27:46):
For real.
All right, Emily.
Anything else you'd like to sayto our awesome group of
listeners?
Speaker 3 (27:52):
No, I mean I just yeah, I think women rule the
world and we can do anythingthat we put our minds to.
Just got to really put yourselfout there and be persistent.
I think that's kind of, at theend of the day, all you really
can.
Speaker 2 (28:06):
I think that's some really great advice for all the
women and young, young ladiesout there, especially those just
making their way or findingtheir way in this you know in in
this world way, or findingtheir way in this you know in in
this world.
So, um, listen to emily, she'ssuper smart.
(28:26):
But yeah, we had.
It was a pleasure having you onokay podcast and you know we'll
have to have you and othersback for a round two.
You know what?
Maybe we'll have a lightninground, a round table man, we
need her real team.
Speaker 1 (28:37):
You, can you imagine we're going to get you on here,
emily?
Can you imagine that roundApril?
That would be a fun round table.
That's right, and we'll do around table with lightning round
.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
That's right, fast paced questions stay tuned for
November's podcast.
Speaker 1 (28:57):
We'll do a couple more before Thanksgiving.
I think we'll do that roundtable idea.
I think it're going to do thatFast-paced questions.
Stay tuned for November'spodcast.
We'll do a couple more beforeThanksgiving.
I think we'll do thatroundtable idea.
I think it's a great idea.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
That's a great idea, that's fun, just saying.
All right, thank you everyone.
We appreciate your time and welook forward to our next episode
and check team.
Welcome everyone to another edition of the Service X
Factor podcast.
I am your host, scott LaFonte,and I am here, of course, with
my esteemed colleague andco-host, mr William Quad
McClendon.
Will, how's it going?
You're just back from vacation.
You look relaxed, yeah, manmuch-needed vacation.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Got a lot of good sunshine and a lot of good food,
so looking forward to kickingoff the work week the right way.
So this is an easy out ofcoming back into the office,
returning into the office here,as we have an awesome guest.
We know who we love and shecan't do no wrong.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Thanks for having me guys.
Awesome, yeah, and it's ourgood friend and colleague, emily
is on the call with us.
So, emily, welcome to ourpodcast and you'll see it's very
casual.
You know we just chat.
I mean, look at, look at, willhe's got a nice tan from the Sun
, he looks great refreshed.
Does it block fresh?
Speaker 1 (01:18):
I was hope we didn't get canceled before the 10th
episode, but I think that'sthat's too late, right that is
definitely too late.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Yeah, I think this will be the last one.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
Right.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
It's all good.
It's all good.
So today we're obviouslycontinuing our Women in
Technology series, and so we'redefinitely grateful to have
Emily on talking about differenttopics and, of course, her
story within this space andtechnology as a whole, so
definitely looking forward togetting into it.
(01:51):
So, will, why don't you kick usoff here and let's see what we
can find out about Miss Emily?
Speaker 1 (01:57):
All right, First things first.
Let me just intro.
I met Emily about three months.
Four months ago.
We started here at CongruentXdoing some awesome work and
immediately it was, like youknow became an instant fan.
But for those who don't knowyou, Emily, you mind giving us a
little bit of an intro, tellingus about yourself, and we'll
get into the nitty gritty of thequestions and all that fun
stuff.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Sure, absolutely.
Thanks again for having me.
Yeah, so I started atCongruentX here about three or
four months ago.
I've been in the tech space forgoing on seven years or so.
Before that I kind of had avariety of jobs as I lived in
Chicago, you know, doing sales,office management, kind of
(02:38):
different odd jobs here andthere.
And then I did get laid off andduring that time I kind of had
to take a look in the mirror andI felt like I was at a
crossroads, just trying tofigure out my life and where I
wanted to go.
I felt like I wasn't really,you know, being used to my full
potential.
So I took some time to, youknow, figure out what I wanted
to do and I wanted to be in thetech world.
(03:00):
You know before that I had notreally been in that, in that
space.
You know before that I had notreally been in that space.
I graduated from University ofIowa with an art degree and
double majored in communication,so it wasn't really something
that I had studied.
I didn't have a big backgroundin it.
So I took some time while I waslaid off to start learning
coding, learning things likePython and SQL, and actually
(03:22):
sitting with one of my friendswho at the time was employed at
a tech consulting company andafter a few months I was able to
get a job at a startup where weworked with POS systems and
then from there I ended up goinginto the tech consulting world,
basically through, you know,having some network connections
with friends.
So I was very lucky to to getinto this space.
(03:45):
You know, sometimes it reallyis about who you know and really
really putting yourself outthere.
It was challenging but reallyexciting and since then I feel
like I've just kind of been, youknow, kicked into the deep end
again and again.
You know it's just learning onthe job, learning on the fly,
and I think a lot of people havethat kind of experience,
especially if you don't have acomputer science degree.
(04:06):
You kind of learn as you go andlean on your support systems at
you know, at work, and lean onyour peers to learn, and so
that's kind of what's gotten meto where I am today.
I'm pretty proud of myself.
It's been been a lot of hardwork, that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
That's such a great story and I can relate to it.
I do not have a computerscience degree, I actually have
a marketing degree, and I'vebeen in this field now for 26
glorious years.
I learned I started learningC++ and I was like, yeah, no,
I'd rather be the front end guy.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
I am not a coder you literally just made my day like
you and as a marketer, just likeI.
I, just, I could, just, I couldsee you as the, as the, as the
red sox, perfect, matt that'sdone.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
He's sitting in the red socks, perfect.
You just.
You just made me vomit a littlebit in my throat.
It was saying the red socks.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
So, emily, you have to have, like there's some
amazing personality traits thatcome from your journey.
Like, I mean, what was oneother than being incredibly
persistent and resilient?
What are some personalitytraits that you feel are
necessary for you to kind ofmake headway into this industry?
Personality traits that youfeel are necessary for you to
kind of make headway into thisindustry?
Because, I mean, we can't justlook at you and say, hey, look
(05:32):
at your story, rather and sayhey, it was just luck.
You know that you put in thework.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Yeah, I think tenacity, you know trying again
and again, you know, don't takeno for an answer, especially,
yeah, as a woman.
You know it's hard and you dohave that imposter syndrome or
you always feel like you're notliving up or you're being, you
know, judged against your malepeers and it can be really,
really challenging.
So just being tenacious andstaying true to yourself and
(05:57):
your values, I think, is to me,what is what's most important
and what has helped me besuccessful thus far.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
And you're a mother as well, right?
So you balance that which Idon't know, if you know about.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Yeah, it's a lot that mental load that all us moms
have.
It's really challenging, youknow you've got a full workday
and then it just it never ends.
But women are strong, we get itdone.
Amen to that.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Amen to that, no doubt, Plus you know what you
scare Will.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
I'm nice, I swear.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
You know what?
Don't listen to her, everyoneDon't listen to her.
She's a pit bull.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
Hey, I've got to be.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
That's right.
No, you know really your story.
You know I hope resonates witha lot of our listeners in terms
of your you know what you weresharing with your journey and
being, you know laid off and youknow really being resilient.
I think that just goes to yourtestament of you know who you
(07:01):
are and the tenacity to continueforging ahead.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
So I got a personal question.
What was the moment you werelike you know, hey and I'm
asking this because I know thisis going to lead into a
follow-up question but what wasthe moment?
You were like hey, this is themoment I felt like I arrived
within the industry.
I'm here, I'm not goinganywhere.
This is my home.
Hello world, here we are.
What was that moment for you?
Speaker 3 (07:28):
I mean, every time I was put on a new project, you
know, I felt kind of on top ofthe world.
Last year I was invited by acounterpart to attend the Women
in Microsoft event downtownChicago, and to me that was
really exciting.
It felt like I kind of had aseat at the table, that I was
being taken seriously in theindustry.
And it was also really excitingto listen to other strong
(07:53):
female leaders in this industryand hear their stories, which
were so similar to mine.
You know, I think having thosekinds of conversations was
really enlightening and it mademe feel like, you know, I I had
made it and I belong here doesit ever go away?
Speaker 1 (08:10):
kind of those feelings of inadequacy, um, as
if you don't belong, like how doyou kind of manage that?
And you know, I know, you know,I, I, I know we kind of all put
on like I know, I do, I put onthe happy face, and then all of
a sudden there's this onecomplex, you know, conversation,
or I'm amongst a group ofpeople who I'm like good Lord,
(08:30):
this one has a degree ofStafford, this one has this
degree.
I'm like I, I'm not that.
Why am I even at this table?
Does it ever go away for you?
Speaker 3 (08:39):
no, you know, I think if it does go away, then maybe
that's a red flag, because weshould always be learning.
You know they say never.
You never want to be thesmartest person in the room and
I don't think I ever have been,I don't know if I ever will be,
because you know it's all aboutthe journey.
It's you're learning new thingsevery day, we all, you know,
just surrounding yourself withsmart people that you can talk
(09:02):
to, work through problemstogether.
You know I'm never going tohave all the answers, I don't
know if anyone will, but it'sthat just continued learning
that is so important to.
You know, grow personally andprofessionally.
So I hope that sense never goesaway.
It puts the pressure on to keepimproving and keep learning and
growing.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
That's a brilliant way to take a negative and make
it a positive man.
I love that.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
And I am definitely not the smartest person in any
room, that is absolutely forsure.
I didn't say you were at thattable.
I'm nowhere near the table.
If anything, I'm at the littlekid's table.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Same, same.
I'm just yeah, same, absolutelyso.
Has mentorship or peer supporthelped you with some of the
navigation of some of thesefeelings?
I mean it's not all negativethings right, you've done a lot
of positive, had a lot ofpositive impacts in the
community.
How has the mentorship helpedyou to have like a more positive
view and make improvements inour community?
Speaker 3 (10:10):
Because it's such a small, tight-knit community.
Yeah, mentorship is one of thethings most important to me in
my life.
I'm lucky to have had someincredible mentors.
You know, both of my parentsare amazing people.
My dad has mentored me my wholelife.
He was Citizen of the Year forBatavia.
This year he's a communitychampion for an incubator
program.
I've also had professionalmentors my last CEO, hollis, and
my counterpart, porik.
They've both been huge.
(10:30):
They've had so much influenceon my life because they are so
experienced and so knowledgeableyou know, just having leaders
that I can ask questions day inand day out.
You know they'll talk throughmy problem, give me great advice
.
I'm so appreciative of that.
And, on the flip side, actingas a mentor myself is also
(10:51):
incredibly important.
I have been a mentor for anincubator program at my old high
school, where it's a classwhere these high school students
participate in and they learnabout things like sales,
marketing, technology,presentations, creating a
business plan and at the end ofthe school year they present
these business plans and getreal life funding.
(11:13):
So this past year I mentored ateam and the class at least in
my experience it's very maledominated.
Maybe 20% of the class isfemales and I did have a female.
One out of the five kids on myteam that I mentored this year
was a female, and it was justreally important for me to make
sure that she and the entireteam was set up for success.
(11:36):
All these kids are justabsolutely brilliant.
But the thing that really justmade it all worth it was at the
end of the year.
She texted me and was just likeit was so amazing to have a
female mentor and coach and toshow that there's women in STEM,
women in tech, and that we cando this.
(11:57):
So I mean that made all thework worth it to me.
Just showing up and showingthat women belong here for the
next generation of leaders, Ithink is incredibly important.
It was really special.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
Yeah, that's a fact, I mean it's, it's.
I can say, when my daughterfirst told me, you know, six,
eight, six, seven years ago, youknow, that she wanted to jump
into tech, I was kind of likereal hesitant.
I was like, nah, you don't wantto do that because of where we
were as a, as a group, as acommunity, with women in the
field.
You know, it's just, it's tough.
(12:33):
And then in the last, I wouldsay last five, six months, you
know, when she's, you know,brought it up cause my
daughter's incredibly persistent, I can kind of nod and I'm like
, all right, I see someimprovement, I can, I can, you
know, we can help you with that,you know.
And and so it's good thatpeople continue to put
themselves out there and offerthat mentorship, I mean because
that next generation, I pausedthem saying they're coming.
(12:56):
I feel like they're here.
Oh yeah, they're definitelyyeah.
They're up, they're up, they'reup.
So shifting gears a little bit.
Let's talk about sometechnology.
Let's go yeah.
What are some cool features intech that you're interested in?
We'll talk about how theyhelped you out in your career.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
Sure, I mean, you know, very recently, after
starting congruent x, you knowwe are really really leaning on
ai.
Obviously, that's whateverybody's is doing these days,
but I think all of us takinginitiative to keep learning
about it and creating our ownagents that has been an
incredible learning experiencefor me.
(13:36):
Creating specific agents tohelp me complete tasks that I do
day to day that are personal tome has been awesome.
Bots or agents that help mecomplete project management, or
(14:01):
even creating agents forpersonal use.
I have a side hobby where Ithrift and resell and I created
a custom AI agent to help mecreate listings that will have
descriptions and SEO keywordsthat'll make my items sell
faster and for more money.
You know it's nice so exciting.
There's so much opportunity inthat space no, that's, that's
(14:23):
awesome, like it's.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
It's so much more than just a word salad generator
.
That's just what I've sometimescalled it back in 20, you know
2022 yeah, 2023 yeah, it was.
You know who doesn't love thesesalary?
We're.
We've moved beyond that, Ithink, in this space, and so
it's great that you're.
I think that's one of the mostclever things I've I've for
(14:48):
personally.
It's great in our space, ourspace.
So, if we look at the platform,like you know, you jumped into
Power Apps, you jumped into D365.
What are some cool parts?
I mean, you know we talkedabout AI.
What are some areas that you'dlike to see more improvement in?
Or maybe something that youthink your customers can get
immediate impact in?
Speaker 3 (15:09):
or, you know, just give us your thoughts on it
impact in or, you know, justgive us your thoughts on it.
Oh gosh, I think you know oneof the most interesting
challenges that I've come acrossrecently is just our clients
and customers being able to keepup with all of the new features
that are rolling out.
I've had multiple clients askfor a service where we literally
(15:31):
just tell them about newfeatures, you know, on different
platforms, whether it's PowerApps, Power BI, D365.
You know Microsoft is puttingout so many new features that
it's hard to keep up with.
It's amazing that things areimproving and coming out so fast
and sometimes it's hard for ourclients, who maybe aren't
(15:55):
focused on keeping up with thatso frequently that it kind of
gets lost and they're like Iwant to use this but I don't
know how or I don't know whatit's best used for.
So I think that's one of thebiggest challenges is just
keeping up with these newfeatures rolling out and how.
New systems, how to use them,you know, especially for the
(16:16):
layman.
Speaker 1 (16:19):
I think there's an agent for like Microsoft Learn,
but maybe one for notifications.
Maybe that's a use case.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
Let's see if someone in the community can just go
ahead and grab it.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
I'm going to exclude a couple of people who I know
like if they hear this podcast,they're going to do it like
within five minutes.
Speaker 3 (16:34):
Yeah right.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
No, troy Taylor, shout out to Cappy Connector man
Miss you, bro.
Hope everything is going well.
But, yeah, hands off.
But I think it's something thatwe could probably do as a
community.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
I guess there's so many updates coming fast and
furious Forget just the PowerPlatform, but ai as a whole.
You know, every time you turnaround, whether it's co-pilot,
chat, gpt, whatever, whatever aiyou're using, things are
changing like all of a sudden.
It's like whoa, you know,here's a new model or here's a
new feature.
You know this has moved aroundbecause we, you know, made you
(17:07):
know this happen so it's.
It makes it very difficult to,you know, stay on top of things
and, and you know, that's one ofthe things we have to do, but
our customers just don't havethat capacity from a time
perspective to keep on top of it.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Absolutely.
Yeah cool, yeah cool.
And we all know how much yougot going on, so I want to talk
about something.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
I noticed that he was on vacation.
Do you notice that, Emily?
Speaker 3 (17:55):
Not later.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
I just wanted to make sure you noticed it like I did.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
I'm just hey, you know the rare times I take time
off.
You know what I mean.
I just got to talk about it.
So let's talk about kind ofsomething that's inspirational.
Honestly, emily, seven years,eight, nine years, that's long,
that's long, and I mean just tokeep knocking down doors.
If you had the ability to goback in time, what is something
(18:20):
you'd probably tell yourself?
What would you say?
Speaker 3 (18:23):
that's a good one.
Oh my gosh, that is a goodquestion.
Just that you're on the righttrack.
You know it was.
It was really scary to dip mytoe into this world and not know
if I would be successful, butyou know, being persistent and
being, you know, having a lot oftenacity, I think has served me
well.
You know, if there was never aseat at the table, I would make
(18:45):
my own, and that's, I thinkthat's what a lot of women have
to do.
You know you make your own seatat that table.
You have to figure it out andkind of push yourself to get to
where you want to be.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
That's some really great advice, you know,
especially for our youngerlisteners out there or you know
really anyone listening outthere right to make the.
You know, don't have your handout, don't expect you know
people to just hand you anything.
You have to go make it happen.
Whether you know young, old,male, female doesn't matter.
You know who you are, you knowyou got to work hard for you
(19:20):
know, getting what you, what youfeel you deserve or what you
need?
Speaker 3 (19:25):
Yeah, exactly, it's a lot of knocking down those
doors, knocking down those wallsand just pushing, pushing a lot
.
Speaker 1 (19:35):
So what are some areas you think we could
probably improve on?
I mean, just be blunt, Like youknow, I said those previous
times, you know, years ago itwasn't easy, it wasn't fun.
What are some areas in whichyou feel like we could help as a
community?
That would have made thejourney a little brutal, Some
areas I could say.
Speaker 3 (19:57):
I think, continuing to put women in leadership roles
.
I think, you know, everyone hasa different leadership style
and women especially lead with alot of heart and a lot of
empathy, which I think can bereally, really beneficial in the
workplace.
Just kind of lifting each otherup.
I think that's really important, you know, kind of lifting each
(20:19):
other up, I think that's reallyimportant.
You know, if I see a woman inleadership, it's very
inspirational to me and it justgives me the courage that I need
to keep pushing forward in myown journey.
You know, I think you know,when I went to the the women in
microsoft event, I saw deb kuppspeak, who's the president of
Americas for Microsoft, and Ithought she was incredible.
(20:40):
You know, she was bold andcourageous and obviously a very
hard worker and I was like Iwant to be like her.
You know, she's true to herselfand I think people high up are
great.
You know, women in leadershipare just incredible to see and
to emulate.
My own life after DARYL FOX.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
That's unreal.
I got a quick, just a thought.
I'm probably going to get in somuch trouble for this, I'm
going to navigate into thewaters of politics.
If we're okay with that,christopher COTTEN, go for it,
daryl FOX.
So you know, first and foremost, everyone knows I'm neutral in
all these matters, so there's noside that I lean to or any of
that garbage.
Just leave me out of.
It is how I feel.
But I'm going here because Ithink that I'm going here.
(21:28):
I think it's important to notethat we're not talking about
hiring somebody just based offof their gender.
What are some skills that womencan add that, quite frankly,
men can't?
Oh my God, where do I begin?
That might be true in thatwomen can add that, quite
frankly, men can't organizationlike.
I mean, we're not eating theheck out of each other with this
conversation, but really, ifyou're somebody who's let's say,
you're an entrepreneur, you'relooking to.
(21:49):
You know this word has gotten alot of negative publicity, but
if you look here I'm not gonnasay the D word, I got a better
one that they can't, peoplecan't steal.
Yet if you're looking toenhance your workforce, what are
some things that you look at?
You would see.
Speaker 3 (22:05):
Oh man, I mean, I think, especially with women,
just being able to balance a lotof things at once, especially
being a mother and being a womanin the workforce, is not
inherently tied to being amother or having a family.
But being able to balance allof these different things and
(22:29):
prioritize, I think, issomething that women especially
are really, really great at.
We have to be, we do it all andwe have to, and it's just part
of our daily life.
I think being organized andbeing great listeners is another
thing.
I think accepting feedback issomething that we're inherently
(22:53):
great at, and implementingchange.
You know women do a lot ofthings that I don't want to say
that men can't, but you know weall have different skills.
Speaker 1 (23:04):
I would get, but you know it's not.
I wasn't trying to, you know.
Let me backtrack a little bit.
I'm not making a hard linesaying we can't do it or you
can't do it.
You know there's some thingsthat maybe some people are, you
know, more inept or it's aharder or it's an easier
learning curve, and so you knowyou don't want to necessarily
put people in a box, but youdon't want to exclude them
(23:26):
either.
We don't want to say I'm notgoing to dare repeat the dumb
things people say about womenbecause I don't want to get in
trouble, but also it's stupid,it's too dumb to repeat, but we
don't want to put them in thatbox, right?
Speaker 3 (23:42):
We just want to basically keep our options open.
So, you know, let me helpsoften it a little bit, if
people are okay with that.
Yeah, and I mean, you know, Ithink feminism has become a
really challenging word in theserecent times.
To me, feminism is wantingequal opportunities for men and
women, and so in that sense, youknow, I think that feminism is
really important in theworkforce.
We all deserve equalopportunities and an equal seat
(24:05):
at the table.
Speaker 1 (24:07):
And they give everybody a shot.
Yeah, that's all I'm saying,and they'll probably get us in
trouble for saying that butthat's, it so if you had to like
, you know you got.
You got your little one comingup.
You know, yeah, some years inthe future I look at retiring in
the next 10 years, but it'snever going to happen.
I know it's not I.
I can just see it's never goingto happen.
(24:28):
But you know you're looking atyour legacy in the workforce.
What do you want it to be forthe next generation, especially
with women in technology?
What you are you looking for?
Speaker 3 (24:38):
I mean again and again, just equal opportunity,
and I think that it has recentlystarted to improve.
You know all of the differentinitiatives for women in tech or
diversity in tech.
I think it has started to kindof level out the playing field
and I hope it continues to belevel and give everyone a chance
(24:58):
to get into this field ifthat's what they want.
You know, I want my girls toknow that they can do anything
and they can be anything thatthey want to be.
I mean, right now, myfour-year-old just told me she
wants to be a princess.
You know, I hope that changesand she, you know, wants to be a
lawyer or a coder or president.
You know, but I think thatgiving the next generation just
(25:23):
the opportunity and the toolsfor success is what's most
important.
I think that especially, youknow, in higher education it
seems like they're reallyfocusing on improving.
You know, computer sciencedegrees and all the different
tech opportunities that collegestudents have that I don't think
they even had when I was goingthrough college.
(25:44):
You know, just these learningopportunities are just getting
more and more advanced and, just, you know, the field is getting
wider and I think that's reallyexciting.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
You know Charles said something really cool.
He said you know that saidsomething really cool.
He said that people are goingto have to start changing the
way they develop applications,especially with AI being out and
I can see it like 10 years fromnow.
These folks are going to haveto.
Hopefully it's easier and theapplications we're building are
(26:16):
a lot better with some of theenhancements we're making, so I
can see it being a better way.
Just throwing my little twocents down there.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
And who knows?
Speaker 2 (26:25):
Your daughter could become like the next princess of
some country overseas.
Who knows?
Who knows the world is heroyster.
That's right, you know what?
And if not, then you'll justhave to teach her about all the
ways of technology and andbreaking you know additional
barriers, because you know,hopefully by then the barriers
will.
You know there'll be a veryeven playing field, because we
(26:48):
all know that.
You know, unfortunately it'snot and that's, you know,
ridiculous in in my head, uh,and I'm sure many others like.
But you know, hopefully, youknow when she grows up it won't
be like that.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
Yeah, that is my hope and I'll be there to support
her in any way that she needs.
Speaker 1 (27:08):
Hey, she'll probably have a session on one of these
cool community groups, so it'llbe fun to look back and she can
play that recording and be like,hey, there's this guy who came
back from vacation and thissalty Red Sox I mean Yankees fan
and they were talking about,you know, talking to my awesome
mom about all these wonderfulthings that I'm going to do
Never know.
Speaker 2 (27:25):
Let's hope so All right, you know, we're just
going to.
You know what.
We'll send her the recording soshe can have it.
You know, put it in like a timecapsule, right.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
Like in high school, they put a time and just bury it
.
Perfect.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
So many better options to listen to other than
us.
That's fair.
That's absolutely fair, right.
Speaker 1 (27:46):
For real.
All right, Emily.
Anything else you'd like to sayto our awesome group of
listeners?
Speaker 3 (27:52):
No, I mean I just yeah, I think women rule the
world and we can do anythingthat we put our minds to.
Just got to really put yourselfout there and be persistent.
I think that's kind of, at theend of the day, all you really
can.
Speaker 2 (28:06):
I think that's some really great advice for all the
women and young, young ladiesout there, especially those just
making their way or findingtheir way in this you know in in
this world way, or findingtheir way in this you know in in
this world.
So, um, listen to emily, she'ssuper smart.
(28:26):
But yeah, we had.
It was a pleasure having you onokay podcast and you know we'll
have to have you and othersback for a round two.
You know what?
Maybe we'll have a lightninground, a round table man, we
need her real team.
Speaker 1 (28:37):
You, can you imagine we're going to get you on here,
emily?
Can you imagine that roundApril?
That would be a fun round table.
That's right, and we'll do around table with lightning round
.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
That's right, fast paced questions stay tuned for
November's podcast.
Speaker 1 (28:57):
We'll do a couple more before Thanksgiving.
I think we'll do that roundtable idea.
I think it're going to do thatFast-paced questions.
Stay tuned for November'spodcast.
We'll do a couple more beforeThanksgiving.
I think we'll do thatroundtable idea.
I think it's a great idea.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
That's a great idea, that's fun, just saying.
All right, thank you everyone.
We appreciate your time and welook forward to our next episode
and check team.
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