Monthly Archives: March 2021

03.01.2021

Women in Tech Tampa Bay: Emily Cartafalsa, Product Owner at SiteZeus

In celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Embarc Collective is excited to introduce you to Women in Tech Tampa Bay — a content series profiling women who are building at Embarc Collective and how they’ve built their careers.

Meet more women tech founders and investors across the state of Florida here.

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What pivotal points in your career led to your current role?

I started at SiteZeus as an intern during college. I was lucky enough to work with multiple departments and it was my coworkers, specifically our CEO Hannibal that saw potential in me to push me outside of my comfort zone and into my current role. Today I serve as the Product Owner

What do you wish you had known earlier in your career?

I am still pretty early in my career, but I think one that is important is your opinion matters. You are put into the position because people believe in you and trust your opinion so you shouldn’t be afraid to share it or give an opinion even if someone in the room disagrees with it.

What communities, networks, or resources have helped you build in your career?

The University of Tampa. Wouldn’t be at SiteZeus if they didn’t have their career center putting on internship fairs or helping with resumes. Also, Embarc Collective has been amazing bringing in experts in the field to bounce ideas off of or just to learn from.

What is one piece of tactical advice that you would give to another woman considering your career path?

As Phil Knight from Nike would say.. Just do it. You’re going to make mistakes or make the wrong call, but that’s how you’re going to learn. Gather the data to make the best informed decision you can and go with it. Most times it’s going to be the right one and the reward is so worth it.

Want to stay up to date on the latest startup news, events, and resources? Get the Weekly Collective delivered directly to your inbox by subscribing here.

03.01.2021

Women in Tech Tampa Bay: Maria Juan, VP of Marketing and Communications at Peerfit

In celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Embarc Collective is excited to introduce you to Women in Tech Tampa Bay — a content series profiling women who are building at Embarc Collective and how they’ve built their careers.

Meet more women tech founders and investors across the state of Florida here.

 

Meet Maria Juan, VP of Marketing and Communications at Peerfit.

 

What pivotal points in your career led to your current role?

I graduated from USF with a degree in dance so my dream was to always perform. Throughout my performing career, I saw non-profit dance companies and emerging artists needed help on the administrative side. So I began to take on side gigs and freelance work helping with marketing and promotion while I was also dancing. My willingness to take on the jobs and responsibilities others didn’t have continued to help push me forward in my career.

 

What do you wish you had known earlier in your career?

Schooling is essential but not a replacement for experience. I thought by going to school would get me jobs right away but it wasn’t until I took on an internship (unpaid back then) that I really saw how much I could learn in real-time.

 

What communities, networks, or resources have helped you build in your career?

I consider myself to be a sponge. I will listen and read anything that I feel will provide me value. I have quite a few areas where I frequent- LinkedIn to follow key contributors and marketing professionals, I am in a few networking marketing groups, I receive many blogs and newsletters daily like Hustle, Daily Carnage, Raisen Bread, Rand Fishkin’s blog, DGMG to name a few, there are TONS of great marketing podcasts that I’ve been on and heard, and when I have the time, I read actual books 😂

 

What is one piece of tactical advice that you would give to another woman considering your career path?

Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. Even if you get a no, it’s now front of mind, and others know what your goals are. And when stated, it makes your goals more real.

 

Connect with Maria and follow Peerfit.

Want to stay up to date on the latest startup news, events, and resources? Get the Weekly Collective delivered directly to your inbox by subscribing here.