Early years and where you came from?
From a very young age, I knew I was comfortable at communicating with others and bringing my ideas to life. I studied journalism at Universidade Nova de Lisboa and then I decided to focus on Fashion Journalism by doing a Master's Degree at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona) and a Coolhunting Course at the University of the Arts (London).
How were you introduced to the world of the Portuguese tech industry?
I would say that my very first contact with the Portuguese tech industry was when I was at University and I decided to help two young entrepreneurs at the very beginning stage of their first start-up: Style in a Box. Back then my mission was to raise brand awareness of the new business so it would be possible to raise new investment rounds.
Walk me through your work and what you are doing now in the tech industry.
Besides of what the majority would think, working inside the tech industry does not mean doing tech tasks all the time. There are several departments inside each company that you have to rely on, listen to and work together with.
In my specific case, part of my day is dedicated to clients (along all the supply chain inside the fashion business) and to establish a strong relationship with them, while the other part of the day is dedicated to meetings with the rest of the sales team, product team and even marketing team to make sure we are all aligned in order to bring the best results for the company.
What part of what you do, you love the most?
Start new projects inside the company you’re in!
How do you think that your background and knowledge impact the way you approach your work in the Portuguese tech industry?
In the end of the day, all you did before would help you somehow in the role you have at the moment and it would also help massively to have a wider perspective and help you to implement new (and right) strategies.
What advice do you have for young women that want to get into tech and don’t know where to start?
You can solve it, don’t stress!
Walk me through a day in your life as a Portuguese women in tech.
It’s whatever you want your day to be! You can wake up early and go to the beach (the perks of living in Barcelona) before you ride to the office and start your day with meetings, emails and phone calls. Or you can even work remotely and organize your tasks at home.
What makes part of my routine is the fact that before I start to work I read the news in Portugal, Spain and Internationally so I can have a clear perspective of what is happening in the world and how can I face all my internal and external meetings.
It’s funny but you never know how your day will end since working in a start-up that is a social network means you cannot preview the future and you must be prepared to face quick change.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t rush!
What apps/software/tools can’t you live without?
Instagram, Slack, Salesforce and Excel!
Any links that you want to share? In what are you working on…
Right now I just created an Instagram profile in order to promote Iberian fashion brands. It’s called @irmaos.hermanos and my main goal is to make people get to know local brands and start buying fashion more consciously and not depend so much on fast fashion.
👉Find Mariana on LinkedIn
