Don't miss out on the next #womenintech podcast episode, get notified by signing up here http://womenintechshow.com

Be featured in the Women in Tech Community by creating your profile here http://womenintechvip.com

“Somer Bakurek of Hera Biotech: Advancing Women’s Health”

#womenintech Show is a WeAreTech.fm production.

Become a Most Valuable Listener at http://womenintech.love

To support the Women in Tech podcast go to https://www.patreon.com/womenintech

To be featured on the podcast go to http://womenintechshow.com/feature

Host,

Espree Devora 

https://twitter.com/espreedevora

https://www.linkedin.com/in/espree

Guest, 

Somer Bakurek 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/somerbaburek

In LA? Here’s some awesome resources for you to become immersed in the LA Tech scene -

For a calendar of all LA Startup events go to, http://WeAreLATech.com

Get Podcast Listeners, http://getpodcastlisteners.com/

Tour Signup, https://tour.wefranch.com/signup/los-angeles-1

Los Angeles Tech Community Leader Co Working Day, https://lu.ma/losangelestech_coworking

Resources Mentioned:

• Hera Biotech, https://www.herabiotech.com
• Geekdom, https://geekdom.com
• Launch SA, launched sa
• Betty’s Co, https://bettysco.com
• Curiedx, https://www.curiedx.com
• All In Her Head, https://www.amazon.com/All-Her-Head-Medicine-Matters/dp/0063293013

Credits:

• Produced and Hosted by Espree Devora, http://espreedevora.com
• Story Produced, Edited and Mastered by Cory Jennings, https://www.coryjennings.com
• Production and Voiceover by Adam Carroll, http://www.ariacreative.ca
• Team support by Janice Geronimo
• Music by Jay Huffman, https://soundcloud.com/jayhuffman

Short Title: Somer Bakurek

Women in Tech Podcast - Episode Shownotes

Episode Title: Building Evenigo: Christina Ness on Grit, No-Code, and Connection 
Host: Espree Devora
Guest: Christina Ness  CEO & Founder of Evenigo

Episode Highlights:

In this inspiring episode, Espree Devora chats with Christina Ness, an entrepreneur based in Los Angeles and the founder of Evenigo, a social calendar platform designed to help users connect with their favorite brands, artists, and influencers—without the spam. It makes sure that you don't miss out on your favorite live events by adding key concerts and sporting events directly to your calendar. Christina shares her journey from working at digital agencies and gaming giants like Activision Blizzard to building her own tech startup from scratch.

You’ll hear Christina’s candid take on:

• What Evenigo Is & How It Works: A user-friendly platform where you can discover and subscribe to event and brand calendars, integrate with your Google Calendar, and never miss out on retail sales or live events again.
• Her Journey Into Tech: From agency life and UI/UX to a stint at Activision Blizzard, Christina explains how the tech world opened up to her and why there’s no one right path.
• Building Evenigo: The ups and downs, from collaborating with a friend on the original concept to learning no-code tools like Wix, Adalo, and Bubble to launch the product without a traditional coding background.
• Entrepreneurial Realities: Christina gets real about founder loneliness, overcoming self-doubt, and how persistence, even more than expertise, leads to success.
• Community & Support: The power of programs like Jason Calacanis’s LAUNCH accelerator in fostering connection and growth for early-stage founders, plus why finding the right cofounder or CTO is often game-changing.
• Fundraising & Growth: Christina discusses the challenges around traction, fundraising milestones, and her plans to scale Evenigo.

Key Takeaways:

• There’s no single way to build a company—do it your way!
• You don’t have to be a coder to launch a tech product; resourcefulness and grit matter more.
• Community, support, and continuous learning are essential for women founders.

Christina’s Top Recommendations:

• Book: I Forgot to Die by Khalil Rafati – an inspiring, honest look at entrepreneurship and personal transformation.
• Podcast: Earn Your Happy by Lori Harder – uplifting conversations with entrepreneurs and thought leaders.

Connect with Evenigo:
Discover ways to spice up your calendar and never miss out on events you care about.
Website: Evenigo
(Integrate with Google Calendar, discover events, and avoid the spam!)

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Jason Calacanis LAUNCH Accelerator
• Women in Tech’s LA Tech Walks

Join the Conversation:
If you’re inspired by Christina’s story or want to meet fellow founders, check out Women in Tech’s LA Tech Walks to expand your network—and maybe meet your next co-founder!

About Women in Tech Podcast:
Hosted by Espree Devora, the show spotlights women in tech around the world, sharing practical advice and real stories so you can see what’s possible: “If She Can Do It, So Can I.”

Listen, Subscribe & Share!

Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your community. For more inspiring stories, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Women in Tech Podcast: Mariyam Shamshidova 
Wefranch US tour: https://tour.wefranch.com/signup/los-angeles-2

Host: Espree Devora
Guest: Mariyam Shamshidova (Growth & Product Lead, Wefranch)
Location: Lighthouse Studio, Venice, CA
Episode Theme: Navigating Entrepreneurship, Franchising, and Building Purposeful Careers in Tech

• Mariyam’s Journey: From Uzbekistan to Vanderbilt to NYC startup life.
• What is Wefranch? Making franchising accessible with data-driven tools, and what being the “Zillow of franchising” means.
• The Power of Franchising: Debunking myths, its accessibility for young founders and creators, and why it’s an untapped lucrative opportunity.
• Early-Stage Startup Life: The reality of multi-tasking, learning on the go, and finding confidence without a big brand name.
• Purpose & Success: Redefining success beyond status, and staying connected to your “why.”
• Women & Belief: The importance of self-belief, especially for women in tech, and breaking mental models that keep women from applying for opportunities.
• Event Building & Community: Mariyam’s hands-on tactics for event marketing and growth – from local connectors to personalized outreach.
• Personal Growth: Lessons from Charlie Munger, advice on prioritization, and finding mentorship in unexpected places.

• Company: Wefranch.com – Marketplace for franchising opportunities
• Recommended Book: Poor Charlie’s Almanack by Charlie Munger
• Must-Follow Thought Leader: Paul Graham (Y Combinator essays)
• Past Relevant Episode: WeAreLATech podcast with Wefranch founder Gregory Ugwi

“In order to do anything, you must believe that the thing is possible.”

“It’s not about the magazine cover — it’s about how you feel in your body every day.”

“If she can do it, so can I.”

• Podcast VIP Community: womenintechvip.com
• Social: @WomenInTechShow on all platforms

Listen and get inspired by Mariyam’s story — redefining what’s possible for women in tech, one bold step at a time.

Don't miss out on the next #womenintech podcast episode, get notified by signing up here http://womenintechshow.com

Be featured in the Women in Tech Community by creating your profile here http://womenintechvip.com

“Laura Ruiz of Code Flight: Accessibility for Coding”

#womenintech Show is a WeAreTech.fm production.

Become a Most Valuable Listener at http://womenintech.love

To support the Women in Tech podcast go to https://www.patreon.com/womenintech

To be featured on the podcast go to http://womenintechshow.com/feature

Host,

Espree Devora 

https://twitter.com/espreedevora

https://www.linkedin.com/in/espree

Guest, 

Laura Ruiz

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraruizroehrs

In LA? Here’s some awesome resources for you to become immersed in the LA Tech scene -

For a calendar of all LA Startup events go to, http://WeAreLATech.com

Get Podcast Listeners, http://getpodcastlisteners.com/

Tour Signup, https://tour.wefranch.com/signup/los-angeles-1

Los Angeles Tech Community Leader Co Working Day, https://lu.ma/losangelestech_coworking

Resources Mentioned:

• Code Flight, https://www.codeflight.io
• Geekdom, https://geekdom.com
• Launch SA, launched sa
• Yes Theory, https://yestheory.com
• Repurpose.io, https://repurpose.io
• CapCut, https://www.capcut.com
• Wordle, https://www.nytimes.com/games/wordle/index.html
• Give and Take, https://www.amazon.com/Give-Take-Helping-Others-Success/dp/0143124986
• Suitcase Coder, https://www.suitcasecoder.com
• Coolors, https://coolors.co
• Metricool, https://metricool.com
• One Million Cups, https://www.1millioncups.com

People Mentioned:

• Tony Hsieh, https://www.instagram.com/downtowntony

Credits:

• Produced and Hosted by Espree Devora, http://espreedevora.com
• Story Produced, Edited and Mastered by Cory Jennings, https://www.coryjennings.com
• Production and Voiceover by Adam Carroll, http://www.ariacreative.ca
• Team support by Janice Geronimo
• Music by Jay Huffman, https://soundcloud.com/jayhuffman

Short Title: Laura Ruiz

Don't miss out on the next #womenintech podcast episode, get notified by signing up here http://womenintechshow.com

Be featured in the Women in Tech Community by creating your profile here http://womenintechvip.com

“Molly Landman of PetSafe Brands: Creating Great Moments With Pets”

#womenintech Show is a WeAreTech.fm production.

Become a Most Valuable Listener at http://womenintech.love

To support the Women in Tech podcast go to https://www.patreon.com/womenintech

To be featured on the podcast go to http://womenintechshow.com/feature

Host,

Espree Devora 

https://twitter.com/espreedevora

https://www.linkedin.com/in/espree

Guest, 

Molly Landman

https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-landman-bb0b702

In LA? Here’s some awesome resources for you to become immersed in the LA Tech scene -

For a calendar of all LA Startup events go to, http://WeAreLATech.com

Get Podcast Listeners, http://getpodcastlisteners.com/

Resources Mentioned:

• PetSafeBrands, https://petsafebrands.com
• Aura Ring, https://ouraring.com
• AutoSleep, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/autosleep-track-sleep-on-watch/id1164801111
• NY Times, https://www.nytimes.com

People Mentioned:

• Tony Hsieh, https://www.instagram.com/downtowntony
• Sylvia Plath, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/sylvia-plath
• Melissa Wood Health, https://melissawoodhealth.com

Credits:

• Produced and Hosted by Espree Devora, http://espreedevora.com
• Story Produced, Edited and Mastered by Cory Jennings, https://www.coryjennings.com
• Production and Voiceover by Adam Carroll, http://www.ariacreative.ca
• Team support by Janice Geronimo
• Music by Jay Huffman, https://soundcloud.com/jayhuffman

Short Title: Molly Landman

Don't miss out on the next #womenintech podcast episode, get notified by signing up here http://womenintechshow.com

Be featured in the Women in Tech Community by creating your profile here http://womenintechvip.com

“Alyssa Pollack of Fello: Revolutionizing Peer Support: Women In Tech Chicago”

#womenintech Show is a WeAreTech.fm production.

Become a Most Valuable Listener at http://womenintech.love

To support the Women in Tech podcast go to https://www.patreon.com/womenintech

To be featured on the podcast go to http://womenintechshow.com/feature

Host,

Espree Devora 

https://twitter.com/espreedevora

https://www.linkedin.com/in/espree

Guest, 

Alyssa Pollack

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-pollack

In LA? Here’s some awesome resources for you to become immersed in the LA Tech scene -

For a calendar of all LA Startup events go to, http://WeAreLATech.com

Get Podcast Listeners, http://getpodcastlisteners.com/

Resources Mentioned:

• Fello, https://www.myfello.app
• Uber, https://www.uber.com

People Mentioned:

• Tony Hsieh, https://www.instagram.com/downtowntony

Credits:

• Produced and Hosted by Espree Devora, http://espreedevora.com
• Story Produced, Edited and Mastered by Cory Jennings, https://www.coryjennings.com
• Production and Voiceover by Adam Carroll, http://www.ariacreative.ca
• Team support by Janice Geronimo
• Music by Jay Huffman, https://soundcloud.com/jayhuffman

Short Title: Alyssa Pollack

Don't miss out on the next #womenintech podcast episode, get notified by signing up here http://womenintechshow.com

Be featured in the Women in Tech Community by creating your profile here http://womenintechvip.com

“Stormy Jackson of Mayo Clinic: Commit To Taking Action”

#womenintech Show is a WeAreTech.fm production.

Become a Most Valuable Listener at http://womenintech.love

To support the Women in Tech podcast go to https://www.patreon.com/womenintech

To be featured on the podcast go to http://womenintechshow.com/feature

Host,

Espree Devora 

https://twitter.com/espreedevora

https://www.linkedin.com/in/espree

Guest, 

Stormy Jackson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stormydesigns/

In LA? Here’s some awesome resources for you to become immersed in the LA Tech scene -

For a calendar of all LA Startup events go to, http://WeAreLATech.com

Get Podcast Listeners, http://getpodcastlisteners.com/

Resources Mentioned:

• Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/
• ChatGPT, https://chatgpt.com/
• TechCrunch, https://techcrunch.com/
• Morning Brew, https://www.morningbrew.com/
• Tech Ladies, https://www.facebook.com/groups/techladies/
• Perplexity, https://www.perplexity.ai/
• Networth and Chill with Your Rich BFF Podcast, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/networth-and-chill-with-your-rich-bff/id1676999261/
• The Financial Diet, https://www.youtube.com/thefinancialdiet/
• tech.LA Fellows, https://www.tech.la/

People Mentioned:

• Andy Bauch, https://www.linkedin.com/in/andybauch/

Credits:

• Produced and Hosted by Espree Devora, http://espreedevora.com
• Story Produced, Edited and Mastered by Cory Jennings, https://www.coryjennings.com
• Production and Voiceover by Adam Carroll, http://www.ariacreative.ca
• Team support by Janice Geronimo
• Music by Jay Huffman, https://soundcloud.com/jayhuffman

Short Title: Stormy Jackson

Don't miss out on the next #womenintech podcast episode, get notified by signing up here http://womenintechshow.com

Be featured in the Women in Tech Community by creating your profile here http://womenintechvip.com

“Jessie Goodall of Besa Mi Vino: Curating and Producing Events”

#womenintech Show is a WeAreTech.fm production.

Become a Most Valuable Listener at http://womenintech.love

To support the Women in Tech podcast go to https://www.patreon.com/womenintech

To be featured on the podcast go to http://womenintechshow.com/feature

Host,

Espree Devora 

https://twitter.com/espreedevora

https://www.linkedin.com/in/espree

Guest, 

Jessie Goodall

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-goodall-401177213

In LA? Here’s some awesome resources for you to become immersed in the LA Tech scene -

For a calendar of all LA Startup events go to, http://WeAreLATech.com

Get Podcast Listeners, http://getpodcastlisteners.com/

Resources Mentioned:

• Besa mi vino, https://linktr.ee/Drinkbesaweb
• Spin The Besa, https://www.amazon.com/Spin-BESA-Drinking-Challenge-Original/dp/B0CM4NDLGZ
• UCLA, https://www.ucla.edu

People Mentioned:

• Katie Vander Ark, https://www.linkedin.com/in/katievanderark

Credits:

• Produced and Hosted by Espree Devora, http://espreedevora.com
• Story Produced, Edited and Mastered by Cory Jennings, https://www.coryjennings.com
• Production and Voiceover by Adam Carroll, http://www.ariacreative.ca
• Team support by Janice Geronimo
• Music by Jay Huffman, https://soundcloud.com/jayhuffman

Short Title: Jessie Goodall

Don't miss out on the next #womenintech podcast episode, get notified by signing up here http://womenintechshow.com

Be featured in the Women in Tech Community by creating your profile here http://womenintechvip.com

“LA Tech Week Female Founders Showcase”

#womenintech Show is a WeAreTech.fm production.

Become a Most Valuable Listener at http://womenintech.love

To support the Women in Tech podcast go to https://www.patreon.com/womenintech

To be featured on the podcast go to http://womenintechshow.com/feature

Host,

Espree Devora 

https://twitter.com/espreedevora

https://www.linkedin.com/in/espree

Guest, 

Kristin Patterson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinhpatterson713/

In LA? Here’s some awesome resources for you to become immersed in the LA Tech scene -

For a calendar of all LA Startup events go to, http://WeAreLATech.com

Get Podcast Listeners, http://getpodcastlisteners.com/

People Mentioned: 

• Event photographer Adam Episcopo, shotbyae.com

EVENT HOSTS INSTAGRAM:

• Live Bash: https://www.instagram.com/livebashwastaken
• Justworks: https://www.instagram.com/justworks
• WeAreLATech: https://www.instagram.com/wearelatech
• Women in Tech Show: https://instagram.com/womenintechshow
• Espree Devora: https://www.instagram.com/espreedevora  
• Tech Week: https://www.instagram.com/techweeka16z

EVENT HOSTS LINKEDIN:

• Live Bash: https://www.linkedin.com/company/live-bash
• Justworks: https://www.linkedin.com/company/justworks-
• WeAreLATech: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearelatech
• Women in Tech Show: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womenintechshow
• Espree Devora: https://www.linkedin.com/in/espree
• Tech Week: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-week-a16z

EVENT HOSTS X (TWITTER):

• Live Bash: https://x.com/LiveBashIsTaken
• Justworks: https://x.com/justworks
• WeAreLATech: https://x.com/WeAreLATech
• Women in Tech Show: https://x.com/WomenInTechShow
• Espree Devora: https://x.com/espreedevora
• Tech Week: https://x.com/Techweek_

EVENT HOSTS FACEBOOK:

• Live Bash: https://www.facebook.com/livebashwastaken
• Justworks: https://www.facebook.com/JustworksHR
• WeAreLATech: https://www.facebook.com/wearelatech
• Women in Tech Show: https://www.facebook.com/womenintechshow
• Espree Devora: https://www.facebook.com/espreedevora

Credits:

• Produced and Hosted by Espree Devora, http://espreedevora.com
• Story Produced, Edited and Mastered by Cory Jennings, https://www.coryjennings.com
• Production and Voiceover by Adam Carroll, http://www.ariacreative.ca
• Team support by Janice Geronimo
• Music by Jay Huffman, https://soundcloud.com/jayhuffman

Short Title: Kristin Patterson 

Don't miss out on the next #womenintech podcast episode, get notified by signing up here http://womenintechshow.com

Be featured in the Women in Tech Community by creating your profile here http://womenintechvip.com

“Carla Guzzetti of Extreme Networks: Becoming A Leader”

#womenintech Show is a WeAreTech.fm production.

Become a Most Valuable Listener at http://womenintech.love

To support the Women in Tech podcast go to https://www.patreon.com/womenintech

To be featured on the podcast go to http://womenintechshow.com/feature

Host,

Espree Devora 

https://twitter.com/espreedevora

https://www.linkedin.com/in/espree

Guest, 

Carla Guzzetti  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlaguzzetti

In LA? Here’s some awesome resources for you to become immersed in the LA Tech scene -

For a calendar of all LA Startup events go to, http://WeAreLATech.com

Get Podcast Listeners, http://getpodcastlisteners.com/

Resources Mentioned:

• Extreme Networks, https://www.extremenetworks.com
• LA Tech Week, https://www.tech-week.com
• Give and Take, https://www.amazon.com/Give-Take-Helping-Others-Success/dp/0143124986
• Design Duality, https://designduality.studio
• IBM Watson, https://www.ibm.com/watsonx
• Doctors Without Boarders, https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Credits:

• Produced and Hosted by Espree Devora, http://espreedevora.com
• Story Produced, Edited and Mastered by Cory Jennings, https://www.coryjennings.com
• Production and Voiceover by Adam Carroll, http://www.ariacreative.ca
• Team support by Janice Geronimo
• Music by Jay Huffman, https://soundcloud.com/jayhuffman

Short Title: Carla Guzzetti