Taylor Poindexter

Tell us about your background: What do you do now, where did you get your start?

I graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Computer Science. Spent some time in IT consulting, and now I work at a DC based startup called Crowdskout as a Back End Engineer.

How do you believe you use your strengths in the context of your work?

I definitely use them as I keep Black Code Collective up and running. Delegating tasks not only helps bring fresh ideas from another brain, it helps increase our productivity by having more team members doing work that’s meaningful to our success. Selling BCC’s mission helps convince companies that they should invest in what we’re doing to create a better tech world, and also open the minds of folks that may think an organization such as ours doesn’t need to exist. Relationships are the key to most things in life. Without relationships, BCC wouldn’t be able to be financed, have spaces to hold our events, a steady flow of quality presentations, or reach the number of people that we have. As far as confidence, when people feel that you believe in yourself, they are more likely to believe in you. As far as Crowdskout, selling, relationships, and confidence are the main traits that I use. As a start up, it’s important that I’m always looking for opportunities to spread the word about our product. Then the confidence and relationships tie into that. I make an effort to keep up my relationships by being deliberate in scheduling happy hour catch ups or simply checking in to see how the person is doing. These connections could potentially be a future employee or customer of Crowdskout.

What has been an unexpected challenge along the way?

I’ve always considered myself a people person, but being on the front line of Black Code Collective made me realize how difficult handling a wide range of personalities can be.

Who or what motivates you?

My mother. She’s worked entirely too hard as a single mother for me to be mediocre in life. I live to make all of her hard work worthwhile.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

No one knows everything. And if they tell you they do, they’re lying. One person may know way more than you in a particular subject, but best believe that you know something that they don’t. So be confident, ask questions, and believe in yourself.

What is one word that describes your leadership style?

Diplomatic

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