Hey there, fellow tech enthusiasts and aspiring leaders! Nicole Wight here, your friendly neighborhood purple-haired product marketing powerhouse.
Today, I want to share my journey from facing life-altering challenges in my personal life to becoming the Senior Director of Product Marketing & Revenue Enablement at AudioEye.
Buckle up, because this ride has more twists than a pretzel factory!
The day everything changed
Back in 2006, I was just another working mom, juggling a career and family life. Then, in the blink of an eye, everything changed.
My two young children were involved in a severe car accident, resulting in traumatic brain injuries. Suddenly, my world wasn't about meeting deadlines or hitting KPIs – it was about hospital visits, rehabilitation, and relearning what it means to be a parent.
This moment could have been the end of my career. Instead, it became the catalyst for something much bigger.
Finding purpose in the pain
As I navigated the world of accessibility for my children, I realized something: the digital world was woefully unprepared for people with disabilities. This wasn't just a personal frustration; it was a massive market opportunity hiding in plain sight.
Armed with this new perspective and a fire in my belly, I dove headfirst into the tech world. My mission? To make the digital space accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities.
The Meta chapter: Learning to think big
Fast forward a few years, and I found myself at Meta (you might know them as Facebook). Talk about a crash course in thinking big!
Here, I honed my skills in product marketing, community building, and strategic planning. I learned to translate complex tech jargon into user-friendly language and to see products through the eyes of diverse users.
I spent the bulk of my time there supporting existing programs but always looking to create new and exciting ones, such as the Digital Locals Young Adult Community Program which targeted the young adult audience Meta was trying to reach at the time.
I learned a lot more about the power of resilience.
Every challenge I faced – from navigating office politics to launching global initiatives – I tackled with the same determination I'd developed as a mom advocating for my kids.
I was proud to support the largest internal self-identification campaign Meta has ever seen, in partnership with Maxine Williams, Chief Diversity Officer. I also co-authored and co-led countless accessibility training sessions for the broader Meta Marketing Team.
AudioEye: Where passion meets purpose
When the opportunity at AudioEye came knocking, it felt like all the puzzle pieces of my life were finally clicking into place. Here was a company dedicated to making the internet accessible to people with disabilities – the very mission that had been driving me for years.
Starting as a Senior Product Marketing Manager, I threw myself into the role with everything I had. I wasn't just marketing a product; I was championing a cause, and the market struggles to feel empathy, even for people with disabilities.
That didn’t stop me from trying.
Every strategy session, every product launch, every client meeting was infused with the passion and purpose I'd cultivated through my personal experiences.
Rising to Senior Director: It's not about the title
My promotion to Senior Director of Product Marketing & Revenue Enablement didn't happen overnight. It was the result of countless late nights, data-driven decisions, and a relentless focus on making our products not just good, but life-changing.
You own your career and the path it takes, which may mean lots of reading, processing, drafting, brainstorming, and learning in your “off hours.” That’s what it took for me.
But here's the kicker – the title isn't what drives me.
What gets me out of bed every morning (besides a strong cup of espresso) is knowing that my work is making the internet a more inclusive place. Every website we make accessible is a win not just for our company, but for the millions of people with disabilities who deserve equal access to information and opportunities.
Lessons for rising leaders
So, what can aspiring leaders take away from my journey? Here are a few nuggets of purple-haired wisdom:
- Embrace your unique perspective: Your personal experiences, even the painful ones, can be your greatest asset in the professional world. Be cautious how you use them, but keep in mind they should play into your personal strengths and potentially your brand.
- Think beyond the product: In tech, it's easy to get caught up in features and specs. Always remember the humans on the other side of the screen. Meet your customers where they are.
- Resilience is your superpower: The ability to bounce back from setbacks isn't just a nice-to-have – it's essential for leadership. Every failure I have ever had, I’ve learned from. I’ve even incorporated it into my GTM process documents so I don’t repeat them.
- Passion is contagious: When you truly believe in what you're doing, it shows. Your enthusiasm will inspire your team and win over stakeholders. I can’t tell you how many times I have spoken at events or staff meetings and received messages about how my energy has charged up a stakeholder. Shine bright!
- Never stop learning: The tech world moves fast. Stay curious, stay hungry, and always be ready to adapt.
- Take time for you: Don’t burnout. It’s easier to say than to do - especially in tech, but shutting work “off” once in a while is imperative for both a break for your brain and for you to be present in the truly important moments with family and friends.
The road ahead
As I look to the future, I'm more excited than ever about the possibilities in the accessibility space. At AudioEye, we're not just talking about making the web accessible – we're doing it, one website and one web property at a time.
To all the aspiring leaders out there, especially those who've faced personal challenges: your experiences are your strength. Use them to fuel your passion, drive your decisions, and inspire others.
The world needs leaders who understand the power of empathy and the importance of inclusivity.
Remember, success isn't about climbing the corporate ladder – it's about making a real difference in people's lives. And hey, if you can do it with a splash of color in your hair and a rebellious spirit in your heart, all the better!
Here's to breaking barriers, in tech and in life. Let's make the digital world a place where everyone belongs – one line of code, one marketing campaign, and one head of purple hair at a time.
