From Portugal to Tech Trailblazer: Sonia Couto's Journey

Hey there, fellow hustlers and dream-chasers! Stoy here, and boy, do I have a story for you today. I recently sat down with the incredible Sonia Couto, a powerhouse in the tech world, and let me tell you, her journey is nothing short of inspiring.

A Serendipitous Leap into Tech

Picture this: a 10-year-old girl moves from Portugal to Canada, not knowing what the future holds. Fast forward a few years, and BAM! Sonia accidentally lands a gig in tech. Eighteen years later, she's crushing it as a managing director, building kick-ass products, and scaling businesses like a boss.

But here's the kicker – Sonia fell in love with tech. It's not just a job for her; it's her passion. How many of us can say that about our careers?

Breaking Barriers in a Man's World

Now, let's get real for a second. Being a woman in tech? It ain't always been a walk in the park. Sonia shared how lonely it felt at first. But you know what? She didn't let that stop her. Nope, she got scrappy and found her way through.

And guess what? The tech world is changing, folks. There are women's support groups, mentorship programs, and badass ladies like Sonia giving back to the community. She's even on the board of HackerGals, teaching young girls to code. Talk about paying it forward!

Tech Roles You Never Knew Existed

Think tech is all about coding and fundraising? Think again! Sonia broke it down for us:

• Marketing gurus

• Detail-oriented business analysts (where women shine, by the way)

• Project managers keeping everything on track

• QA testers making sure everything works smoothly

• And yes, engineers and coders too

The key takeaway? There's a place for everyone in tech, regardless of your skillset or background.

Overcoming Adversity: Sonia's Secret Sauce

Here's where it gets real, folks. Sonia's been through some shit. Moving countries, navigating different cultures, and pushing through fear – she's done it all. Her advice?

1. Be tenacious as hell

2. Embrace failure (it's where the real learning happens)

3. Keep pushing forward, even when it's tough

And listen up, because this is important: NO ONE has their shit completely together. We're all figuring it out as we go. So stop waiting for the perfect moment and take that leap of faith!

Expanding Your Horizons

Sonia dropped some serious wisdom about broadening your perspective:

• Travel (and not just to fancy resorts)

• Work in diverse environments

• Try new foods (seriously, it's a game-changer)

Can't travel? No problem. Start locally! Hit up cultural events in your area and open your mind to new experiences.

The Future of Tech: Sonia's Vision

Here's where Sonia's passion really shines. She's not in it for a quick exit – she's all about building something sustainable and successful. Her superpower? Taking "leftovers" from others and turning them into gold.

But listen up, aspiring entrepreneurs: it's not just about the tech. You've got to be a well-rounded business badass. That means:

• Having a solid business plan

• Understanding marketing and sales

• Knowing your target industry inside and out

The Takeaway: Be Open to Learning

If there's one thing you remember from this conversation, let it be this: stay open-minded and hungry for knowledge. The moment you think you know it all is the moment you stop growing.

So, my friends, take a page out of Sonia's book. Be tenacious, embrace failure, and never stop learning. The tech world is waiting for you to make your mark.

Want to dive deeper into Sonia's world? Check out her podcast, follow her on Instagram, or catch her latest insights on YouTube. Trust me, you won't regret it.

And if you're hungry for more inspiring stories like Sonia's, give this episode a listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.