The Leading Lady – Female in tech
| Name | Louise Brogan |
| Age | 45 |
| Country | N.Ireland, ULK |
| Education Experience
(Secondary, Higher Level)
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MSc in Computing & Information Systems
MA in Geography, University of Dundee |
| Training
(Business, Entrepreneurial)
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Entrepreneur
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| Employment History
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2000 – 2002 – Software Engineer, BT
2003 – 2014 – IT Project Manager, NHS (part time for last ⅞ years) Organizing sociocracy trainings. Group leader in a travel agency.
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| Social Background |
Married, with three children.
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| Personality Traits
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Their Tech Entrepreneurship Journey
| Business Name
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Social Bee NI |
| What was the inspiration?
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Frustration at not being able to progress in my career once I had children and was working part-time – wanted to find a way to earn my own money and be as ambitious as I liked. I found out i liked being my own boss!
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| Why did they decide to set up their tech business?
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I already had a background in IT and computing – found out that i knew a lot more about using social media than most entrepreneurs. I started managing social media accounts for small business owners, and then went into teaching others how to do it themselves. |
| What does it do?
Products/services?
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Teach business owners and entrepreneurs how to use LinkedIn to grow their business. I have a weekly podcast – Level Up and Link In with Louise, i run local workshops and private corporate workshops. I work with individuals to help them create a content and strategy plan for using LinkedIn, and I have a four week group coaching programme – Level Up Your LinkedIn. |
| What makes it unique?
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| When did they decide to set it up?
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2013 – working part time as an IT proejct manager in the health service. Started a craft shop with a vague plan of getting out o fmy job – discovered the craft shop wouldn’t make enough money but the social media skills were transferrable to other businesses. |
| What were the main challenges/struggles to setting up?
Social/financial/tech issues?
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finding time while raising three small children
getting out there and meeting potential clients – managing time between networking and doing the work |
| How did they overcome these?
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working around the kids – being very disciplined with my time, and finding networkign events that were valuable and had my potential clients. |
| What were the main success factors?
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Keeping going, keeping up to date with all the latest changes, writing a blog, networking with the right p[eople – not being afraid to take the plunge e.g. going to London to network led to me becoming the only accredited trainer for Instagram an dFacebook in N.Ireland. |
| What are their future plans?
For their tech business? For themselves?
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Building the business up to steady monthly income, possibly taking on staff but keeping to more of the same. |
| Top 2 tips for nascent women technology entrepreneurs
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Find a mentor or coach to bounce your ideas off – so valuable. Make sure they have good testimonials from other people so you don’t waste your time and money.
Listen to podcasts and keep yourself educated about your industry. |
| Further information:
Contact details
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[email protected]
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