If you’ve ever been to a launch party in the tech industry, you know what to expect: suited men, proper conversation, light mingling, and maybe a workshop or seminar. While an exciting time for the companies and the industries they serve, launch parties can sometimes feel like just another gathering of corporate bigwigs.
But on Thursday, June 27, MAZE Services and #WhatSheTechs worked together to redefine what it means to throw a launch party in the Queen City.
Held in the City Room at the Savoy Luxury Apartment Suites on E. Stonewall Street, the poolside hall with skyline views only complemented the glamor within: a life-sized MAZE logo created from foam roses in company colors; professional manicure station and braid bar; light refreshments complete with MAZE cupcakes. With photographers and videographers navigating the room to capture every moment, the event oozed all the elements of a rooftop party in Manhattan.
This launch party wasn’t just thrown in honor of the startup’s official app launch. MAZE co-founders, Samonica Ngo and Macie Mata, and #WhatSheTechs founder, Criseida Rico, created an entirely unique event that both highlighted the new product release and provided important insight about life as both female and minority business owners through a panel discussion led by Rico.
“We want girls to know that they can honestly, literally do anything,” said Ngo. After hearing the founders speak on their experiences breaking into the tech industry, one can safely assume the women present left feeling inspired.
What It Takes to Tech as Females
Mata and Ngo may have disrupted the tech and beauty industries with their innovative mobile salon platform, but it may come as a surprise that the two had no experience in technology or app development when they decided to begin their venture.
When Rico asked the two how they got started, Mata laughed, responding with, “So first I want to start by saying: neither of us have a background in technology. But if you are passionate about something or have an idea, don’t get discouraged or think you can’t do it just because you don’t have the background. The key thing in doing all this and achieving success isn’t so much us but our team is really what has made this a live, tangible product.”
Being a female app developer is challenging enough as it is. Couple that with having no background in the tech industry, and the feelings of inadequacy — especially in a male-dominated environment — only increase.
“When Macie and I walk into any building that is male-dominated, we always feel like we have something to prove rather than going in to share an idea with somebody,” said Ngo. “We have lucky in that the clients have been so accepting of us.”
Be Prepared
But luck is only a small part of the equation. According to Mata, the two spend significant time pre-planning and post-planning each detail of every meeting they attend, ensuring they are as prepared as possible.
“You’re going to be drilled on your business when you’re pitching,” she said. “When I go into a meeting, I don’t use the fact that I’m a woman as a crutch. I know my stuff, and I’m not nervous. Grill me! And also understand that if you don’t know the answer, they are completely okay with a male entrepreneur saying, ‘Let me get back to you.’ As women, we need to get more comfortable with that concept.”
Not knowing the answers is one thing these co-founders never allow to stand in their way. When faced with the challenge of developing their idea without any tech experience, Ngo decided to head back to school to learn coding so they could better understand how to manage their employees and direct their vision. In taking the time to understand the industry on a more granular level, the two have been able to acquire some impressive talent across the nation. Currently operating with a team of remote employees, MAZE hopes to further develop their Charlotte-based team with more female tech talent in the region.
Finding local talent has proven to be a struggle, however, as the Queen City is mainly dominated by male entrepreneurs in fintech. The solution to this problem? Rico says it all has to do with women supporting women and encouraging female involvement in the tech industry.
The Future Is Female Entrepreneurship
“Charlotte is the number-one place in the nation for women-owned businesses,” Rico said during the panel discussion. “There are so many other women and people in general that are willing to lend a helping hand.”
Still, Rico sees room for improvement for female involvement in the tech industry specifically. Part of the inspiration for the MAZE and #WhatSheTechs joint event came from Rico’s desire to fuel the conversation around female and minority entrepreneurship. As a Latina woman entering the tech industry just six years ago, Rico is all too familiar with the concept of having to prove oneself in a male-dominated industry.
“I’ve lived in Charlotte for 10 years, been in the tech industry for six years, and it’s upsetting to go to events and I walk into the room and wonder, Where are all the girls?” Rico said. “I want to have those conversations and connections with other females like me, but to my dismay it’s still very much male dominated.”
Working Together
The #WhatSheTechs founder is actively working to change this by bringing more events like the MAZE launch party to the Charlotte area. These panelist-party hybrids are designed to not only provide women with valuable networking opportunities and educational materials, but to help female entrepreneurs have fun in the process of finding and harnessing their confidence.
“I think the foundation is women supporting women,” Rico said. “That’s the start of any foundation. I think what’s really critical is not competing against each other but working together. Let’s build ourselves up and collaborate and network and create a safe space for us. I really feel that building out this community and being welcoming to other women who have questions is what we need more than anything.”
As she spoke, women around the room could be seen connecting, networking, and asking questions as though creating this community in real time. Looking to the future, #WhatSheTechs plans to host more events like these in order to support female entrepreneurship and women in tech. Information about upcoming events can be found on the #WhatSheTechs website or by following them on social media.
The MAZE Services app is currently available for download on iOS and Android devices. Simply use the app to schedule your next salon appointment in the comfort of your own home. For more information about MAZE Services, visit the company website. Stay informed on all of Charlotte’s startups, launches, and more by signing up for the StartCharlotte newsletter.
