We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bisola Founder. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bisola below.
Bisola, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
It began with being a stay-at-home mom for 3 years and feeling an intense desire to return to work after experiencing a deep sense of unfulfillment. I had taken time off from the corporate world to care for my kids and run a small fashion business from home. In doing so, I had completely lost myself to motherhood, and it felt like the world had forgotten everything I had accomplished before becoming a wife and mother. Before this, I had devoted myself to working in tech companies, leading projects in startup environments and as a consultant for Fortune 500 companies like Oracle.
Then, during the pandemic, I watched as families lost their income due to rapid digitization. It was around this time that I had also come to the realization that women, just like men, were now taking on huge responsibilities in financially supporting their homes. As a stay-at-home mom who was broke, I knew that technology was the only way forward.
However, instead of just finding a way back into the tech world for myself, I felt called to build a community around my story to help other women achieve financial restoration. There were not enough women in tech, and the barriers to entry were steep. This realization sparked my passion for creating opportunities for women to break into the tech industry. I wanted to create a space where women, regardless of their background, could upskill and find their place in tech, just as I had done in my own career.
Understanding that women thrive in communities, I launched a cohort-based learning model, which had been key to my own personal and professional growth. I knew this approach would work for other women as well. And so, the concept for Heels and Tech emerged—a platform dedicated to providing tech education and skills to women in a supportive, collaborative, and cohort-based environment.
With my past entrepreneurial mindset, I built the Heels and Tech community, drawing from my experience in program management, digital sales, and technology consulting. I brought an African perspective into tech education, providing access to women who were often excluded from the digital economy. Today, Heels and Tech is not just a platform for learning—it’s a movement of financial restoration and empowerment for women across the globe.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m the founder of Heels and Tech, a platform dedicated to helping women break into the tech industry through cohort-based learning. We have trained thousands of women across 25 countries and have added a total of $12.5 to their earnings. What excites me most about what we do is seeing women who previously had no tech background build confidence, upskill, and ultimately thrive in the digital economy. We focus on creating a supportive community where women from all walks of life can learn, collaborate, and find their own paths in tech. The success of Heels and Tech isn’t just about education; it’s about empowering women to reclaim their financial independence and make their mark in a male-dominated industry.
I realised women experience what is called ‘Technophobia’, the fear of Technology. Majority of the women who have upskilled with us have gone through self-doubt and fear. So I decided to tackle this from the grassroot level by writing a fictional story book targeting young teenagers in Africa titled Jasmine Discovers Tech. It’s a story specifically written for African teenagers to spark interest in technology. We’ve successfully distributed over 10,000 copies across five states in Nigeria, as well as in Ghana and South Africa. The book serves as an introduction to the possibilities in tech, aiming to inspire the next generation of African girls to dream big and pursue careers in technology.
We’ve also developed two key platforms to further our mission: a talent liquidity platform that connects women with job opportunities in tech and a financing platform where women can take loans to pursue their educational interests. These initiatives ensure that our community members not only gain the skills they need but also have access to financial resources and job opportunities to succeed in the industry.
Whether it’s through education, job placement, or financing, Heels and Tech is committed to helping women unlock their potential in tech. We’re constantly growing and looking for new ways to support women in their journey to financial freedom and professional fulfillment.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three qualities and skills that were most impactful in my journey are authenticity, a commitment to life-long learning, and stakeholder management and partnership.
Authenticity – This has been key in attracting my target audience. Being true to my story, my struggles, and my vision allowed me to build trust with my community. When you’re authentic, people connect with you on a deeper level because they see themselves in your journey. My advice for anyone starting out is to embrace your uniqueness. Don’t try to fit into a mold or be someone you’re not. The right people will gravitate towards you when you’re true to yourself.
Life-long Learning – I devoted myself to continuous learning. Technology is always evolving, and I knew that to stay relevant, I had to keep expanding my knowledge. I became deeply familiar with how tech works, and that gave me the confidence to lead Heels and Tech. My advice for others is to commit to learning, especially in the field you’re passionate about. Stay curious, invest in new skills, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.
Stakeholder Management and Partnership – No matter how skilled or visionary you are, you can’t build a successful brand alone. Building partnerships and effectively managing all your stakeholders—whether they are your team, clients, investors, or collaborators—was essential for me. It’s beautiful to watch how powerful connections can be when nurtured. For those early in their journey, focus on building meaningful relationships. Understand the needs of your stakeholders and always aim for a win-win in your collaborations.
Developing these qualities takes time and intention, but they are foundational for long-term success. Stay authentic, keep learning, and nurture your relationships—those are the keys to growth.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I take a step back and clear my calendar. Entrepreneurship can be incredibly tasking, and I’ve learned that it’s essential to prioritize my mental well-being. Spending time with my three toddlers brings me immense joy and energy. I engage in activities like teaching them how to read, taking them to the park to play, or simply watching a movie together. These moments away from work not only help me recharge but also remind me of what truly matters. It’s during these times that I can reset my mind, gain perspective, and return to my entrepreneurial journey with renewed energy and focus.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heelsandtech.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/heelsandtech.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bisolaalabi/
Image Credits
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