Tech Superwomen — as we gear up for the meet-up in Austin this Saturday, I am honored to have Gina Bianchini join the blog line-up.

The founder of Mightybell and co-founder and former CEO of Ning is sharing with this community her moving and inspiring founder story:

Gina Bianchini is sharing her inspiring founder story, what’s yours? Share in the comments below.

There is a secret that all great entrepreneurs know. In an age that worships at the altar of Big Data, A/B testing, and analytics, people still want to hear your story. This regularly surprises me. My story seems irrelevant to whether we are delighting our users and creating a phenomenal product. On many levels, I’m right: my story is irrelevant to our users.

However, as humans, we are hard-wired for stories. While your story may not be how you build software, it is definitely why you build the software you build. Stories are how people decide to care about you and if what you are doing is relevant to them. They are why people to fall in love with your idea, product, brand or vision. From fundraising to recruiting, a start-up founder’s story only grows in importance as you go.

For me, my entrepreneurial obsession started young. I create community platforms. I am obsessed with all the interests, passions and goals that make people unique. This passion for communities of interest goes back as far as I can remember. Growing up in Cupertino, California, my grandfather got together once a week with his Lions Club; my father took Sunday afternoon drives with his Model T Ford Club; and my mother shared tips and tricks with her collective of fellow Guinea Pig breeders. From church on Sundays to soccer matches on Saturdays to study groups and class projects the rest of the week, family, small groups, sports teams and intimate communities fed my curiosity and gave me the encouragement to take on bigger and bigger challenges throughout my life.

When my father died suddenly when I was 11 years old, my local children’s theater troupe jumped in to be there for me, my brother and sister. While I may have just confessed to being a tween theater nerd (guilty), I’m also not sure how we would have made it through those first few months without this creative community and their support.

I was extremely fortunate to be born into a physical community that celebrated interests, passions and a sense of purpose. Not everyone is. While there is much hand-wringing over how much time we spend on our phones playing games, we also living at a time of unprecedented opportunity to find small communities of passions that cross geographic, structural and cultural lines.

The communities of interest and purpose we can support and encourage online and in the real-world in the next five years is simply awe-inspiring. SXSW can’t hold a candle to what is coming next. I believe communities of purpose will be how more of the world’s population learns in new and innovative ways. I believe communities of purpose will cure cancer. I believe every pop star worth their salt will be artists first and community organizers in very close second.

It doesn’t matter where you are born or what language you speak, in a connected world, every person has the right to follow their dreams and find the place where they truly belong.

That’s my founder story. I’d love for you to share yours.

- Gina Bianchini (@Ginab)

Don’t forget to add the Official Tech Superwomen SXSW meet-up to your SXSW schedule, taking place on March 9, 2013, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., at the Empire.

Get the latest event updates on Eventbrite.

What are you most looking forward to? Join the hashtag #TXSWSX and let me know.

See you in Austin!

Libby Gill is an internationally recognized branding expert, executive coach, author and one of my mentors.

She is also next in the SXSW 2013 Tech Superwomen Meet-up series.

What follows is truly a great networking primer — three tips for identifying and presenting your personal brand:

Libby Gill shares tips for identifying and presenting your personal brand.

Iconoclastic scholar and playwright Oscar Wilde famously said, “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.”

He makes an excellent point: it’s critical for you to recognize that your unique personality is a core element of both your business and your personal brand. And brands that connect emotionally are far more likely to get people’s attention than brands that don’t.

The primitive part of our brains – that is, the area that’s helped us survive all these years – is built to feel first and think second. So it just makes sense that we need to create an emotional bond before we can move on to selling, influencing or managing others.

Here are some tips to help you communicate your unique purpose while reminding others of your product or service:

1.   Be Yourself.

It’s critical for you to recognize that your unique personality is a core element of both your business and your personal brand. Don’t be afraid to let your authentic personality shine through the work you do, as well as the marketing messages you put out into the world. Identify your style – whether that’s serious, feisty, cool, cerebral, or provocative – and develop a tone that works for you and connects with others. (Hint: If you’re not sure what your style is, go to my website and download this simple tool to See Yourself as Others See You.)

2.   Connect Emotionally.

Brands that connect emotionally are far more likely to get people’s attention than brands that don’t stir the senses. Once you’ve determined your brand style, use platform-building tools that offer you the best method to connect with others. Use all the social media tools, of course, but consider moving beyond Facebook and Twitter. If you love to write but hate being on camera, start a blog that positions you as an expert and gives your clients great content. (But don’t abandon your blog once you’ve started it and gotten your customers hooked.) If interviewing is your strength, identify some interesting thought leaders in your field for a podcast or video series. Not only can you provide real value for your customers, but you can also get to know some top movers and shakers. As you get comfortable in one platform, branch out and repurpose your content for other platforms, too.

3.   Create a multi-sensory experience.

Scientific research shows that sensory branding is most likely to work best when you engage multiple senses, so involve as many of the senses as you can to create a richer, fuller experience for your customers and prospects. Think Starbucks, where you get the carefully calculated multi-sensory rush of the familiar green logo (sight), the coffee brewing (smell), the grind of coffee beans and background chit-chat (sound), the feel of the warm cup in your hand (touch) and, of course, the sip of your favorite caffeinated brew (taste). While you may not be serving up grande non-fat lattes, no doubt you can find multiple ways to maximize on a multi-sense brand experience.

      – Libby Gill (@LibbyGill) 

Libby’s new book, “Capture the Mindshare and the Market Share Will Follow: The Art and Science of Building Brands,” will be released in August 2013.

Don’t forget to RSVP for the Official Tech Superwomen SXSW meet-up, taking place on March 9, 2013, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., at the Empire.

What are you most looking forward to? Join the hashtag #TXSWSX and let me know.

See you in Austin!

Next in the SXSW 2013 Tech Superwomen Meet-up series is the co-founder of TechStars, author and prolific VC — Brad Feld.

Brad inspired during BlogHer Entrepreneurs 12 with his call for women starting companies to be bold and presumptive about the outcome.

Brad Feld on networking for co-founders.

Brad is sharing three tips for networking for a co-founder with TXSW:

1. Show up where other co-founders hang out. Go to meetups, go to conferences, and make yourself visible.
2. Be clear that you are looking for a co-founder, not an employee. This is especially important if you are looking for a technical co-founder. You aren’t hiring someone – you want the person to go on a long term journey with you.
   
3. Be open about your idea. Let the idea breath – give it oxygen – so it gets better over time.  If you can’t get a co-founder excited about it, then there might be something wrong with the idea.

      – Brad Feld (@bfeld)

Brad will be speaking at the NCWIT Tech Talk on start-ups and why gender diversity matters this week.

Don’t forget to RSVP for the Official Tech Superwomen SXSW meet-up, taking place on March 9, 2013, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., at the Empire.

Join the hashtag #TXSWSX and let me know what you are looking to get out of the event.

See you in Austin!

As we countdown to the official SXSW 2013 Tech Superwomen Meet-up, I’m featuring tips and insight from thought leaders on how to network for what you want!

Alicia Castillo Holley on how to seed meaningful connections.

First up — international author, angel investor and founder  – Alicia Castillo Holley.

I met Alicia in December of 2012, after her amazing TEDx Bay Area Global Women Entrepreneurs talk.

Alicia is sharing her tips for networking intentionally for collaborators with the Tech Superwomen community:

Networking is not about meeting people but about expanding your horizons wisely. Here are three basic rules to start:

1.     Ask.

We usually network because we want something from others. Define what it is. If you don’t know why you are networking, you will be unproductive. Get clear on what you want.

2.     Offer.

The rule of networking is reciprocity. Other people are networking because they want something! Define what you can give: purchases, partnerships, returns on investments, expertise, advice, mentoring, etc. Remember that the world also needs you. If you don’t know what you are offering, you will be unproductive (or worse, overpromise).

3.     Balance.

I have a genuine interest in people, but I don’t have unlimited time. I also recognize that networking does not depend on me only. Some people are desperate to take and take, or to give and give. That is not authentic, and bores immensely. Do your best to keep a balance.

To excel however, there are some unwritten rules:

4.    Enjoy it!

Even if you are prepared, be open to surprises. Networking provides immense learning opportunities. Listen. Try to keep your internal conversations quiet. You don’t need to agree or disagree with what others say. Ask why, ask why a lot.

5.     Seed.

You never know the impact of your connection on the spot. Use a networking event to plant seeds and reconnect later. It is a starting point.  Make notes about the people you meet on their cards so you don’t forget details.

6.     Be authentic.

Don’t over praise or criticize, you are not there to judge or be judged, but to explore. You don’t need to be liked by everyone or like everyone. Be proud of your achievements and humble about your challenges.

Like everything else in life, practice makes perfect!

-Alicia Castillo Holley (@aliciacastillo)

Don’t forget to RSVP for the Official Tech Superwomen SXSW meet-up, taking place on March 9, 2013, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., at the Empire.

Join the hashtag #TXSWSX and let me know what you are looking to get out of the event.

See you in Austin!

To that end, I will be kicking off a blog series that features different thought leaders with networking tips and insights as a primer.

Alicia Castillo will open the series with insight on how to find collaborators followed by Brad Feld’s tips for intentionally networking for co-founders. Then Libby Gill will get all of us ready to put our best foot forward with some key do’s and don’ts for presenting your personal brand.

Keep your eye out for a couple of other surprise guests.

Don’t forget to RSVP for the Official Tech Superwomen SXSW meet-up, taking place on March 9, 2013, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., at the Empire.

Join the hashtag #TXSWSX and let me know what you are looking to get out of the event.

See you in Austin!

All three are smart men who advocate for women in tech.

In March, I put together an all-star lineup at SXSW to talk about the importance of women mentoring women and the role it plays in building a stronger and more inclusive community.

In 2013, we are going to look at the critical role men can and should play in advocating for women.

For me, the inspiration for this panel comes from something my mother often says — “the door to power opens from the inside.”

SXSW 2013 panel discussion will examine the impact of men advocating for women and the importance of empowering such partnerships to build a better tech community.

Engage, contribute and participate, the future of our industry depends on it.

While fielding questions about Facebook’s earnings, Sheryl made a point to congratulate Marissa Mayer, ex Googler and  freshly minted CEO of Yahoo!, on her new venture.

In a tech world that some have argued is increasingly defined by “walled gardens,” it powerfully signaled that advancing women in tech is an issue that unites us all.

And you gotta love that an Ex Googler and current Yahoo! took to Twitter to thank the Faceobok COO.

Thanks for the shout out, @sherylsandberg – very excited to be here at @yahoo!

— marissamayer (@marissamayer) July 26, 2012

Could women leading in tech result in harmony amongst the social platforms?

One can only hope.

The Tech Superwomen SXSW Panel and 12 year-old blogger Isabetta Bleu Herrera Grant. Isa was brought to the SXSW session by her dad. Photo credit:  Ludvik Herrera Photography.

Five tech superwomen banded together this past March at the SXSW Interactive festival to make the case for mentorship and the critical role we all play in increasing the number of women in the tech industry.

Here are five of the critical frames and takeaways the panel shared.

You can also listen to the audio recording of the panel that’s posted on the sxsw website. 

Do we need more women in Tech? 

Nilofer Merchant made the case right at the start of the discussion with a look at the stats that document the four places women are underrepresented.

“Speaking: women represent less than 20% of the stages which means of course people don’t see role models. Boards: women represent less than 10% corporate board seats which means were not getting an appropriate set of governance and therefore profit results. Entrepreneurship: only 3% of venture backed monies go towards women enturopenship which means we are underfunding things that can fix our economy. CEOs: women represent lesson 20% of CEO seats and global 1000 companies.”

What’s a mentor? 

Leslie Bradshaw provided a great frame for looking at mentors by going back to the roots – the latin roots – of the words.

“the origin of mentor the root word is mens which means mind. When we think about sponsor the the root word is spons which means pledge. For advisor the root word is life, towards life. So when we think about frameworks, we want to think ‘is this about cultivation of mind or about lifting up and sponsoring into that next level?’ At different stages in your life you will need different things and you can also provide different things depending on where you where you are.”

 Why should I mentor?

Margot Bloomstein pointed out the benefit to the bottom line of your business and industry – mentoring makes sure you have a competent talent pool from which to select down the line.

How do I find a mentor?

My advice? Ask and ask again. Take bold risks and never say no to yourself. Even if the ideal mentor lives far away, use social technology platforms to build and maintain relationships with mentors and advocates.

What holds us back?

Ekatrina Walter reminded us all of the role fear can play, challenging everyone to “fail their way to amazing” and to keep a generous sprit, because that is what ultimately fuels the relationships that open doors and create possibilities.

Thanks to everyone who attended (our 500 capacity room was packed!) and contributed questions and insight.

Did you attend? What was your favorite takeaway?

Also, special thanks to Meshin for sponsoring the Tee giveaways, check out the pinterest board for great shots of these limited edition Tech By Superwomen tees, featuring  artwork by Maria Toofly Castillo.

Write-ups and Press:

SXSW 2012 Forecast: Let’s Hear It For The Girls – Forbes

The Role of Mentorship for Women in Technology – Huffington Post

Best Black Panels at SXSW Interactive 2012 – The Root

13 Things Superwomen Need to Know About Mentorship – Black Enterprise 

SXSW Panel: Tech Superwomen: Mentors and Mentees, FTW – Austin 360

Additional Posts:

Tech Superwomen Connects with Soledad O’Brien at SXS – CNN iReport

Tech Superwomen: Mentors and Mentees – Campaign Consultation

Tech Superwomen – Isa Bleu

The Federated Media dynamic duo (Deanna Brown and John Battelle) kicking off the FM Signal in San Francisco last week.

I attended the Federated Media Signal event in San Francisco last week.

Federated Media Chairman John Battelle made a point from the main stage about the importance of increasing the visibility of women in the tech industry in a key way – more women speakers at  conferences.

Given that women represent less than 20% of speakers at conferences, this is a much-need call to action.

As Nilofer Merchant stated during the Tech Superwomen panel on mentorship at SXSW this year, fewer women speakers means that there are fewer role models for women in the industry.

I am happy to report that women were 41% of the line-up of speakers at the FM Signal conference.

Here are five of my (mobile phone) photos from the event of Tech Superwomen in action.

Erin McPherson (head of video programming and originals at Yahoo!) gives a “high order bit” during the FM Signal on March 21.

Deanna Brown, CEO of Federated Media, in conversation with Caterina Fake, Pinwheel founder.

Marcy Shinder (Nielsen) speaks about building brands in a cross-media world.

BabyCenter: A Global Insights Engine – Tina Sharkey presents. 

Deanna Brown in conversation with Alison Pincus, One Kings Lane co-founder and chief partnership officer.

Check out the wrap-up post for links to all of the presentations. Know of a recent tech-focused event where women made up more than 20% of the speakers? Share below!

Madhavi Sankholkar, app developer and founder of Learn With Fun Apps, holds an ipad featuring one of her most popular apps -- iLuv Drawing Animals -- at the BlogHer Entrepreneurs '12 event.

I received an invitation to attend the BlogHer Entrepreneurs event that took place last week – it was incredible! 

Entrepreneur, intrapreneur or a just a bold woman in tech? BlogHer had something for everyone with fantastic insights and advice dispensed by a rock-star line-up of speakers and mentors.

Here are just ten tidbits from tech superwomen (and a tech superman) that were shared during the event — in 140 characters or less.

1. Women who tend to found companies listen to their own voice.

Deborah Jackson (@dbdj1007), founder of Women Innovate Mobile (WIM), CEO and founder of JumpThru.

2. Don’t be tentative, be presumptive about the outcome.

Brad Feld (@bfeld), managing director of Foundry Group.

3. Tell your story in a way that connects and listen first.

4. Passion is a game changer, a huge advantage.

Nelly Yusupova (@digitalwoman) CTO of Webgrrls International.

5. Cultivate a deliberate openness.

Alena Gribskov (@alenarg) communications and program manager at Yale Entrepreneurial Institute.

6. Everything you do is a brand extension; the grace you extend is critical.

Lisa Stone (@lisastone), BlogHer co-founder and CEO, sharing insight from her brother.

7. What you wear matters; it’s the canvas for your voice.

Amy Chang, global head of product, Google Analytics.

8. Don’t be afraid of the “no.” It’s just a starting point for the conversation.

Shelley Taniguchi-Sabol, owner and consultant at PSWE.

9. Do right by yourself and you will be a better business owner, daughter, wife, sister and friend. 

Kathryn Finney (@kathrynfinney), founder and CEO of TBF Group, LLC.

Jory Des Jardins (@jorydj), BlogHer co-founder and president of strategic alliances.

Find more great insights by following the hashtag — #BlogHerEnt12. Did you attend? What was your favorite take-away? Share below!