Starting Over And Finding New Life In Tech With Kate Walmsley | Member Story

Kate Was at a Crossroads

After a difficult breakup, Kate Walmsley moved back in with her parents. She lacked financial independence, and it was weighing on her. She was feeling frustrated and without purpose. 

Looking back, she still calls that girl "Lost” Kate. 

The Challenge

With COVID-19 wreaking global havoc, Kate knew that working in retail wasn't sustainable. She wanted to make a conscious decision to change her profession and circumstances. So she began searching for lucrative industries that would provide stability.

She was eager to learn and wanted to pick a booming industry with space within to grow. The industries expected to be the most lucrative by 2030? Tech and cannabis.

Kate started looking for training opportunities immediately. When it became clear that she needed to increase her knowledge in SaaS, she found Uvaro.

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Finding Her Path

The idea of making a transition into the tech sector now seemed possible with the program that Uvaro was presenting. Almost immediately after submitting her application online, however, a crushing case of impostor syndrome almost made her give up. Her conversations with Uvaro’s Admission Consulting team eased her fears.

They didn't sell Uvaro's courses to her or try to pressure her into membership. Instead, she left each conversation with a new sense of who she was, and what she wanted. Uvaro offered a career path that made sense to her, and the resources to achieve her goals. She felt confident committing to a mutually beneficial relationship. They saw me in a way I have never seen. I had never experienced this before. It was meaningful, powerful, real.”

She decided to be accountable for her career success and enrolled in a 12-week foundations course.

At Uvaro

The first two weeks were intense. It was like being back in high school: there were assignments and readings. It was a lot to wrap her mind around: nerve-wracking and exciting.

As her personal life crept into her professional life, she began to doubt herself. She questioned daily whether she would succeed, and began to spiral.

During a 1:1 coaching session with Uvaro co-founder Donna Litt, Donna told Kate that she had the power to make a difference. She told Kate that she thought Kate had the talent to capture an audience and connect with people. As a successful woman in tech, Kate felt inspired by Donna. More than that, she was inspired by how Donna saw her: Calm, cool, confident.

Kate left that meeting with a renowned sense of purpose. I am someone worth investing in.”

Kate 2.0

Refining your cold-calling and outbound sales skills is no easy feat. Kate breezed through her foundation's course, then workshops, then the job search.

Uvaro provided Kate with a safety net that she needed to take the leap! By the time she found a position, she felt confident to start in this new career! Uvaro allowed her to fail, pick herself back up again, learn and keep moving forward. The supportive community around her provided feedback and constructive criticism. She credits them for her success.

Now a BDR at Citylitics, she says Uvaro gave her the tools she needed to succeed. Not only that, she says she wouldn’t have found Citylitics if not for Uvaro. She knows the ways to cold call someone, prospect hunt, and do a proper ICP. She has a passion for learning new platforms, and she’s not intimidated by tech anymore.

Comparing the Kate Walmsley 2 years ago to now, Kate has come a long way. She's fallen for someone new and is living in her new Toronto apartment. She's found financial freedom and loves her work. "I didn't realize how nerdy I was!" She said, when asked. "Now, I love it. I love learning new platforms."

What's Next for Kate?

Although Kate Walmsley completed her Uvaro training program almost 2 years ago, she keeps in constant contact with members of the Uvaro community.

She’s now aiming for a regional sales management role. And, she knows she can rely on Uvaro to join her in this next phase of her career path. Through the coaching, advanced programming, and ongoing support that is provided, she’s set. She has shed the fears that held her back, and she isn't scared of what the future holds. Uvaro helped her become a more dynamic, articulate salesperson. The community helped her see her worth. 

She’s no longer "Lost" Kate, she’s "Doing Great" Kate.