One of the things I love about Sheena Allen’s story is how organically it unfolded. One day she had an idea for an app, so she just decided to create it. She did it on Microsoft Word! She didn’t let the fact that she didn’t have a background in coding stop her.
I really appreciate Sheena being a part of FierceWomenProject. Thank You, Sheena!
Sheena’s Bio:
Sheena Allen is best-known as the founder and CEO of mobile application company, Sheena Allen Apps. Allen attended the University of Southern Mississippi to major in psychology and film. In 2011, during her senior year of college, she thought of an idea for a finance / money organizing mobile app after leaving Wal-Mart with a long receipt. With no technical background, Sheena designed her first app in Microsoft Word before finding a developer to partner with. Since then, Allen has built her app company from 1 app with 50 downloads to 5 apps (and counting) with millions of downloads.
Sheena has spoken on subjects such as owning a successful tech company as a non-technical founder and diversity in tech at numerous universities, including Yale and Texas A&M, and numerous conferences, including The Lean Startup Conference and Tech808. She is also featured in She Started It, a film that follows five women on their startup journey. Sheena has been featured in various publications, includingForbes.com, BlackEnterprise.com, and EBONY Magazine.
FierceWomen Supports Black Women in Tech:
Baked into FierceWomenProject, is the foregrounding of all Women of Color from all sectors.
With recent stories about abysmal diversity reports being released by the likes of Facebook and Google, there is more talk about representing People of Color in Tech. So, while other people are talking about pipelines and debating what should be non-debates about representation, FierceWomenProject is excited to put amazing Women of Color front and center.
Sheena’s Responses to some of the FierceWomenQuestions:
What’s your definition of a Fierce Woman?
A Fierce Woman is a woman who is determined and believes in going after what she wants, regardless of the challenges and doubts around here. You can bet your last dollar that she’s going to make it happen. She is a woman who you look at and say, “She is real life goals.”
What have mentors (formal or informal) meant to you?
Mentors have been a game-changer for me. They have taught me and guided me throughout my career. Even for those who say they are self-made, there was someone out there who took that individual under their wing and helped in some way. Mentors are also that voice when you need them. The life of an entrepreneur is everything but a smooth ride, but my mentors have been where I am and understand the ride. Those days and those phone calls make a world of a difference.
How did you get here?
I still have a long way to go. I know that I’m only a baby step into the full vision of what I want to do and accomplish, but I got started and got to where I am now by believing in myself. Not everyone is going to believe in your dreams. Not everyone sees your vision. That is why is it your vision. Can you imagine a 22-year-old from a small town in Mississippi with no technical background telling a group of angel investors that she is going to build an app company that is going to generate millions of downloads? Well, I did and I’m sure they thought I was crazy, but guess what, I did exactly what I told them I was going to do. I stick to my saying of, ‘Focus on proving Sheena right versus working to prove the doubters wrong’. Always trying to prove the next person wrong takes entirely too much energy. It distracts you. I focus on my vision and it makes the journey easier.
What is your vision for the next generation of empowered girls, women’s leadership, and men supporting women’s leadership?
Each generation is fighting and opening doors for the next generation. I appreciate every woman who made sacrifices and fought for my generation to have the opportunities that we have and I know my generation will do the same for the next generation. It is all about empowerment. Being a woman is powerful. I mean, we are looking at the next President of the United States potentially being a woman. Our possibilities are unlimited and my vision for the next generation is that they understand that, stand together, and continue to change the world.
You never know what part of your story could inspire a young person and expand her sense of what is possible for her future. FierceWomenProject is for AnyWoman and EveryWoman :-)
What’s YOUR definition of a Fierce Woman? Tweet your reply with the hashtag #FierceWomenProject
And if you’re really feeling inspired, grab a friend, get your smart phones out, and record your responses to a couple of the FierceWomenQuestions, below. Then share your video on FB, Twitter etc. with #FierceWomenProject. Easy. Powerful.
SheenaAllenApps.com