Beyond Expertise: Women 2.0 and Girl Geek X Founder Angie Chang

Please tell us about your typical day as the CEO at Girl Geek X.

A: As the founder and CEO of Girl Geek X, I am constantly exploring new programs and partnerships to enrich our expanding community of women in the tech industry. In addition to my professional endeavors, my life is incredibly diverse. As a mother, I am responsible for caring for my two-year-old child, who continually discovers innovative ways to interact with and sometimes disrupt my tech gadgets.

What made you decide to establish your business in the technology industry instead of other industries?

Karma! I have established my social network here in the Silicon Valley since my whole life path happened in California. I have enjoyed building websites as long as I remembered, and still believe we can build great fun apps. Also, I’m really tired of the FAANG monopoly. I would happily work in other industries, but I like the freedom and DIY nature of early-stage startups and small businesses.

You founded your company almost 15 years ago. Can you share any lessons or insights you’ve learned throughout your entrepreneurial journey that have had a significant impact on your success?

My advice to fellow entrepreneurs is to focus on building something sustainable. While many entrepreneurs may encourage you to raise venture capital and build a rocket ship. It's important to be realistic when you consider that a significant 98% of venture capital funding goes to all-male founding teams, it becomes clear that women entrepreneurs often face different challenges. Therefore, I recommend working on your projects with a bootstrapped approach, if possible. Additionally, strive to assemble a diverse team, including staff, advisors, and mentors, who can provide valuable support in realizing your vision.

What inspired or motivated you to continue assisting women?

We are far from equality on many fronts, from gender pay equity and venture capital allocation, to sports equity and recognition. Addressing inequalities and working to create a fair environment, for example ensuring fair pay and opportunity for all, is something I think society generally agrees is commendable. However, corporate leadership lacks the commitment and shareholder capitalism means that the accountability to do the right things for humans isn’t prioritized.

What specific programs you have implemented to promote and support women's empowerment in the tech industry? What have been the outcomes of these initiatives or programs?

Girl Geek X community volunteers with local under-resourced schools to provide role models and support for students and educators across a variety of programs and events. We have organized field trips for public school students to visit tech companies like Amazon Web Services, and connect the industry with students so they can imagine a future in tech and hopefully pick a major or pathway to STEM.
 
We believe the secret to retaining people in a STEM or any male-dominated industry is to create an ecosystem of events and programs to keep folks connected and up-to-date on the latest technology trends and career advice, from technical interviewing tips to mentorship opportunities.

What is the philosophy you have in your career?

My philosophy as an entrepreneur revolves around innovation and hard work. It's rooted in adaptability to build resilience, empowerment through collaboration, and the pursuit of creating purposeful impact. What this translates to is our dedication to serving a community of women in the tech, business, and entrepreneurship sectors.

In your opinion, what are the challenges that make starting a business in the technology industry more difficult compared to other industries?

Girl Geek X is not the first startup or business I have been involved in. I co-founded Women 2.0 in 2006 with several women who wanted to promote and support women entrepreneurs. I don't believe that we succeed by doing only one thing. Given that the tech industry, technology itself, and job landscapes are in a constant state of flux, it's crucial to stay informed about the work and innovations of other companies and individuals in your field. Fortunately, here in California, we have a culture of sharing that encourages women to confidently voice their thoughts, especially in safe spaces like a Girl Geek Dinner.

As a screen user who needs to work in front of a computer for a long time, do you have any tricks or gadgets to improve your work efficiency?

I have some rudimentary backlighting and the BenQ ScreenBar Halo to keep my desktop looking sharp. For efficiency, I timebox my to-do list into my calendar so I don’t spend too much time one thing at the expense of everything else.

How long have you been using the ScreenBar Halo and what are your thoughts? How has this light helped in your work?

I have been using the ScreenBar Halo for a few months and love how the wireless remote control is smooth to operate and easy-to-use. There are too many cords cluttering my house and the ScreenBar Halo does not make me feel clunky at all. The design is so modern and sleek. The back lighting looks nice and creates a pleasant ambiance to the workspace while handily reducing eye strain. BenQ ScreenBar Halo light has added class to my otherwise generic workspace setup. It has inspired me to continue to think about how to improve my work station.

On a scale of 1 to 100, how would you rate your life so far?

As a successful entrepreneur in the tech industry, what are your future goals?

I would love to encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs and activists to pursue their passion projects. We have so many problems in the world, from climate change to the growing homelessness situation across cities in the United States, racism and sexism still to be addressed, etc. I encourage women to take the initiative. Through open and honest communication, women can inspire and motivate each other to be bold and courageous in pursuing their goals. Together, we can create a supportive and empowering community.