A Global Career Growth Platform for STEM Women - Gotara
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in training and education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with D Sangeeta, Founder and CEO of Gotara, located in Cincinnati, OH, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We offer nano-learning that is a combo of mentoring, coaching, and upskilling to women in STEM+ in a scalable Tech platform serving millions of women.
Our customers are employers who want to retain women employees in STEM + fields that include all data-related fields like Data Science, Analytics, Economics, and Finance addition to STEM. This includes all Tech companies where 50-70% of their employees are STEM+ and non-tech companies where 20-50% of their employees are STEM+.
Tell us about yourself
At Gotara, we're on a mission to "stem" the tide of talented STEM+ women who drift away from careers they once loved - where 40% of women leave the industry within 5-7 years of graduating, costing US employers $9B. We understand because we've been in the same sometimes troubled and unwelcoming waters. Starting with my story, several times early in my career, I came close to quitting, where I was not able to discuss the sensitive topics that could derail my career. Despite the setbacks, I have managed to ride the wave nailing 27 patents in 27+ years of my STEM career. In addition to sharing my best practices, we are sharing 100+ advisors just like me, giving back to the community in a big way! With the Tech platform, we are able to scale this service to millions of users.
Now it's my mission to help STEM+ women stay and thrive in their careers and to help employers who share this mission. Our target audience is women in STEM plus all data-related fields. As a C-suite STEM+ leader, I managed global teams of 5,000+, so she knows firsthand what happens when these women leave. I have felt the pain as a leader too! First, there's the $300,000 financial wallop every time a woman resigns. In the US alone, it costs up to $9 billion annually. Then there is the dampening of intellectual curiosity and stifled creativity when teams lose the diverse minds that spark innovation.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Launching an innovative enterprise platform that can scale to millions of users.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Selling to enterprise organizations and getting a foot in the door without the network connections.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't create a business model that relies on VC dollars.
- Don't hire your clones in the leadership ranks; instead, hire leaders who have complementary skills to you.
- As a startup CEO, know the boundaries between work and life blur and be ready for it.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Gotara is one of those few startups where all stakeholders win (Women, employers, and society), unlike others where someone loses for another to win!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.gotara.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gotarawoman
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gotara_stem/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gotara_stem
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gotara-women-in-stem/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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