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Sudha Mani
Business technology coach, Avinash Business Consultants
And - Speaker. Author. Entrepreneur. Start up mentor
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Science, maths and engineering are in everything around us.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
I make technology and business automation stress-free for business owners and women entrepreneurs. IT is the backbone for business however, many companies see the technology team as a peripheral rather than integral and involve them sporadically in their decision making.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS FIELD?
Until my first lab Computer Science class I had never seen a computer. So, I felt I could not do it - it was not easy, but I persisted. Throughout my degree I never had a computer at home because we could not afford one. So, I stayed at university to study. Even after I finished my degree, I didn’t have a computer of my own till I moved to the UK to work for BP as Technical Architect in 2000.
After I finished my degree, I was able to self-learn Java and started working on a project for Sun Microsystems Inc. That’s when I was head-hunted by a company to work with their clients here in the UK.
In my life, I had many women mentors and my mom is one. My mom and grandma always said, “Girls have to stand on their own two feet and be independent. They should not rely on others to support.”.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK AT & THINK, "I WISH YOUNGER ME WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS POSSIBLE?"
I wanted to do Robotics degree and even applied to some universities in the UK. I didn’t have enough guidance, and we could not afford to pay the fees, so it stayed as a dream.
When I moved to the UK, I became busy with work and never took time to do Robotics. I could have done Masters in Science specialising in Robotics instead of MBA at the University of Edinburgh. The sad bit was I didn’t know there was such a degree. That’s why a mentor is necessary. I had more mentors in Business but not mentors who are women. That’s why I want to be someone who helps girls.
WHY DO YOU LOVE WORKING IN STEM?
Because the scene changes all the time and I feel I am making a difference in society and with people. So, it pushes me to learn and be top of the things - a proactive problem solver.
BEST ADVICE FOR NEXT GENERATION?
Develop a thick skin without being aggressive. If someone says “no”, prove to them they are wrong and you are right.
INSPO / FUN FACT
I am Reiki Master Teacher and love and practice meditation and yoga daily.