From Idea to Impact: Women Founders Share Their Startup Journeys

Event Description:
Curious about launching your own business? Whether you're dreaming of leaving your 9-to-5 or growing a side hustle on weekends, this panel event is designed to inspire and inform. Join a dynamic group of women founders as they share their personal stories of building companies from the ground up. From sparking that first idea to navigating funding, growth, and burnout, these entrepreneurs will give an honest look at what it really takes to start and sustain a business.

What to Expect:

• Real-world insights on starting a business from scratch

• How to balance risk, reward, and your personal life

• Lessons learned from both wins and failures

• Tips for getting started—whether you're ready to dive in or just exploring ideas

Who Should Attend:

• Aspiring entrepreneurs

• Professionals considering a side hustle

• Small business owners seeking growth inspiration

• Anyone curious about startup life from a woman's perspective

Format:

Panel discussion featuring:

Rosa Yupari, Founder of Rosayupari Consulting

At 16 Rosa was mastering two challenging languages—English as a new immigrant from Lima, Peru, and Engineering at Texas A&M—but later, starting her career at 3M, she learned the hardest language: being heard as a woman in rooms full of men. She doubled down on storytelling, social skills, and grit to shatter the invisible ceiling and transcend "good enough." That muscle propelled her from engineer to sales leader to CRO—across telecom giants like Nokia and Clearfield and into SaaS with Winning by Design—where she grew revenue, coached high-performing teams, and built playbooks that companies actually used. At 57, she ventured into entrepreneurship. It was a difficult decision, leaving behind the safety of a monthly paybook for the "all in," burn-the-boats mentality. I turned anxiety into my fuel, and my relationships lit the fire with their belief and support. Today, she is a fractional CRO and entrepreneur, she teaches others—especially women—how to sell their ideas, their value, and their products with numbers and heart. Now she is mastering another language: AI, the great equalizer. Her mission is clear: help teams hit targets faster and teach women how to sell their ideas, themselves, and their products—so they're heard and seen.

Ruqaiya Akbari Shipchandler, Founder of ammi.ai, AI Enablement and Advisory | AI Literacy for Moms

Ruqaiya is an Ammi (mother) of three and the founder of ammi.ai, where she empowers caregivers, working mothers, and women founders to join the AI conversation with confidence through AI literacy training and strategic advisory. She earned her degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston and spent seven years in technical sales and corporate strategy with enterprise AI software companies SAS and Dataiku in the Bay Area. Now back in Houston, she helps families and organizations globally navigate the AI age with clarity and confidence.

Carlisha Robinson, CEO, CBR Ventures LLC

Carlisha is a C-suite executive with 30+ years of experience across technology industries from IT to IP (intellectual property) to retail. As former Chief Product and Customer Officer at Beyond Inc. (Bed Bath & Beyond, Overstock, Zulily), she led strategic product roadmaps, user experience, and customer experience across the company’s digital commerce websites. Since moving to Texas in 1991, she has held leadership roles at IBM, BMC Software, Volusion, Clarivate, and Innography. A technologist at heart with a passion for people, products, and problem-solving, Carlisha is now the founder and CEO of CBR Ventures, her technology consulting company.

Moderated Q&A by Nicole Pletka, AWT Board Member

Audience questions encouraged. Networking before and after the panel.

Takeaway:
Leave inspired, empowered, and armed with practical advice to take your first—or next—steps in your entrepreneurial journey.

Free for Members | $30 for Non-Members

Registration fees will go towards the cost of membership

if you sign-up at the event! 

KEY INFORMATION

• When: October 16, 2025, 5:30-8:00pm

• Where: BBB serving the Heart of Texas, 1805 Rutherford Lane, Suite 100 Austin, TX 78754

• Attire: Wear whatever makes you feel good! 

• Food and Drinks: Light snacks, wine, tea, and lemonade will be provided. 

EVENT SUPPORTERS

We could not put on excellent events without the support of Sponsors, Community Partners, and Donors.

Huge thank you to the BBB Foundation for Better Business for providing the venue!

Huge thank you to Akkodis for sponsoring this event, a global digital engineering consulting company that empowers organizations to accelerate and innovate.  

By registering for this event you consent to:
-Being photographed, filmed, and/or recorded for promotional purposes by the event organizers for use in event-related materials, including but not limited to: social media, websites, and promotional materials.
-Being notified about this event and future communications from Austin Women in Technology - you may unsubscribe at any time.

Welcome to our fifth Tactic Tuesdays!

Whether you’re actively job hunting, exploring a career pivot, or just want to sharpen your strategy, Tactic Tuesdays is your space to connect, learn, and grow. This monthly gathering is designed for current and prospective members of Austin Women in Technology who are navigating the job search—offering a supportive environment where you can share insights, swap resources, and learn practical tips from others on a similar path.

Offered in partnership with CO.LABx, Tactic Tuesdays will meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Each session centers around actionable tactics—from refining your resume and prepping for interviews to building a standout LinkedIn presence and navigating recruiter conversations. Come ready to collaborate, ask questions, and leave each month with something new to try.

Let’s turn challenges into momentum—together.

KEY INFORMATION

• When: Tuesday, October 28, 6:00-8:00pm

• Where: Brewtorium Brewery and Kitchen: 6015 Dillard Cir A, Austin TX 78752

• Attire: Wear whatever makes you feel good! 

• Food and Drinks: Food and drinks will not be provided; however, they will be available for purchase.

By registering for this event you consent to:
-Being photographed, filmed, and/or recorded for promotional purposes by the event organizers for use in event-related materials, including but not limited to: social media, websites, and promotional materials.
-Being notified about this event and future communications from Austin Women in Technology - you may unsubscribe at any time.

Artificial Intelligence isn’t just for developers and data scientists—it’s for everyone. In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how to create practical AI agents you can start using right away to save time, simplify tasks, and gain powerful insights.

Together, we’ll use an AI platform to build:

• A meal planning agent to make everyday decisions faster and easier

• A market and competitive intelligence agent to instantly gather and organize key insights

About Our Guest Host 

(Meet her first, live at our October Women Founders' Startup Journeys Event)

Ruqaiya Shipchandler Akbari is the founder of ammi.ai, where she helps caregivers, working mothers, and women founders confidently join the AI conversation. With a background in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston and seven years in technical sales and corporate strategy at enterprise AI software leaders SAS and Dataiku, Ruqaiya brings both deep technical expertise and a passion for making AI accessible. Now based in Houston, she’s guiding families and organizations worldwide through the AI age with clarity and confidence—all while raising three children.

Why Attend?

• Hands-on learning: Walk away with two fully built AI agents you can customize and use immediately

• Practical applications: See how AI can support both your professional work and your personal life

• Confidence with AI: Gain literacy in a fast-evolving field without the overwhelm

• Community connection: Join fellow members and guests in a supportive, interactive session

This virtual event is free for members and open to guests for a small fee. Don’t miss your chance to discover just how powerful—and approachable—AI can be.

Free for Members | $30 for Non-Members

Registration fees will go towards the cost of membership

if you sign-up at the event! 

Girls Giving will be more than a fundraiser — it’s a celebration of community, connection, and giving back.

By bringing together members and our outreach partners, we’re creating a space to share gratitude while fueling future opportunities for women and all folks in tech.

Through a high-end raffle and on-site partner showcases, attendees will not just enjoy a fun evening but also directly support programs that empower the next generation of leaders.

KEY INFORMATION

• When: Thursday, November 13, 2025, 5:30-8:00pm

• Where: CBRE, 500 W 2^nd Street, Suite 1700, Austin, TX 78701

• Attire: Wear whatever makes you feel good! 

• Food and Drinks: Light snacks, wine, tea, and lemonade will be provided. 

EVENT SUPPORTERS

We could not put on excellent events without the support of Sponsors, Community Partners, and Donors.

Huge Thank You to CBRE for providing the venue!

By registering for this event you consent to:
-Being photographed, filmed, and/or recorded for promotional purposes by the event organizers for use in event-related materials, including but not limited to: social media, websites, and promotional materials.
-Being notified about this event and future communications from Austin Women in Technology - you may unsubscribe at any time.

Take a break from the hustle and connect with AWT members in a relaxed, celebratory atmosphere. Whether you're swapping career advice, brainstorming your next big idea, or sharing stories, this is the perfect place to spark new friendships and professional connections.

End the evening on a high note with a special toast to the community and a small surprise giveaway to thank attendees for being part of the AWT journey. Cheers to learning, growing, and leading together!

Plus, The Unbuzzed Club will be there to help us learn about new offerings they are providing to the community. The Unbuzzed Club is a social community for sober and sober-curious people in Austin, TX. They create intentional, alcohol-free events designed to spark connection, build friendships, and make fun feel effortless.

KEY INFORMATION

• When: Wednesday, December 10, 5:30-8:00pm

• Where: The Clay Pit, 1601 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78701

• Attire: Wear whatever makes you feel good! 

• Food and Drinks: Light snacks, and drink tickets will be provided. 

EVENT SUPPORTERS

We could not put on excellent events without the support of Sponsors, Community Partners, and Donors. If you're interested in sponsoring this event, please email sponsorships@awtaustin.org.

By registering for this event you consent to:
-Being photographed, filmed, and/or recorded for promotional purposes by the event organizers for use in event-related materials, including but not limited to: social media, websites, and promotional materials.
-Being notified about this event and future communications from Austin Women in Technology - you may unsubscribe at any time.

Mentorship Program Overview

• Duration: 6 Months + Opening and Closing Happy Hours
• Participants: 75 Mentees
• Structure: Cohorts of 3 Mentees Each + 1 Dedicated Mentor per Cohort

Program Description:

This 6-month mentorship program is designed to foster professional growth, community, and knowledge-sharing among emerging and established professionals. Mentees will be placed into small, supportive cohorts of two-three individuals, each led by an experienced mentor who brings domain expertise, leadership insight, and a passion for guiding others. The cohort model encourages accountability, camaraderie, and meaningful connections within a manageable group size.

Program Goals:

• Build lasting relationships across professional levels and industries

• Support mentees in setting and achieving career goals
  

• Provide mentors with a structured way to give back and invest in the next generation
  

• Foster a culture of growth, clarity, and community

Key Components:

Kick-off Happy Hour (September 15):

• Where: Remedy: 360 Nueces St STE 30, Austin, TX 78701
• When: Monday, September 15, 5:30pm - 8:00pm
• What: A lively in-person or virtual happy hour to welcome participants, introduce mentors, build energy around the program, and give mentees a chance to meet their cohorts in a relaxed, social setting.

Monthly Check-Ins (October - March):

• Where: Remedy: 360 Nueces St STE 30, Austin, TX 78701
• When: Second Monday evening each month, 5:30pm - 8:00pm or whenever your cohort determines is best. 
• • (Oct 13, Nov 10, Dec 8, Jan 12, Feb 9, Mar 9)
• Mentors should host at least one check-in session per month with their cohort. These may include group discussions, mini-workshops, office hours, or goal-setting sessions. The format is flexible, but consistency and engagement are key.

Closing Happy Hour (April 13):

• Where: Remedy: 360 Nueces St STE 30, Austin, TX 78701
• When: Monday, April 13, 5:30pm - 8:00pm
• What: The program culminates in a celebratory event to acknowledge growth, share takeaways, and strengthen professional networks. Participants may receive certificates of completion or share short reflections from the experience.

By registering for this event you consent to:
-Being photographed, filmed, and/or recorded for promotional purposes by the event organizers for use in event-related materials, including but not limited to: social media, websites, and promotional materials.
-Being notified about this event and future communications from Austin Women in Technology - you may unsubscribe at any time.