Women in Tech Tampa Bay: Celeste Grupman, Director of Operations at Dataquest
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 Celeste Grupman, Director of Operations at Dataquest.
What pivotal points in your career led to your current role?
When I was starting my career, I took on a ton of side projects. This was a great opportunity to work with small business owners. When you take on work with tiny companies, you typically work directly with the founder. This is a great opportunity to learn about the challenges and opportunities that exist. I met my first business partner through one of those side projects.
What do you wish you had known earlier in your career?
I wish I would have spoken up when I disagreed more then and now. When you are doing something for the first time, it can be difficult to trust yourself, and in startups, you are often doing things for the first time. When the numbers or the logic for a decision don’t add up, don’t be afraid to pull someone aside and share your concerns. Having an advisor or mentor to help you work through approaching these conversations can be a huge help.
What communities, networks, or resources have helped you build in your career?
So many. Tampa is a great place for young entrepreneurs; you can meet just about anyone by going to a tech event or attending a chamber of commerce meeting. The Tampa Bay Business Journal is a great resource. Stay up to date with what people are doing and reach out to them on LinkedIn. The business community here is extremely friendly and eager to help.
What is one piece of tactical advice that you would give to another woman considering your career path?
Leading Operations is incredibly demanding and rewarding. I love the role because I get to work across the company and impact every team member. I’ve struggled to balance a desire to have high levels of accountability and get crushed by the feeling I need to be accountable for everything. Every morning I set my intention for the day and commit to letting one thing go; it keeps me focused on opportunities and helps me let go of some of my perfectionism. It has been a game-changer.
Connect with Celeste and follow Dataquest.
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.
