Welcome to our inaugural Careers in Web3 segment. Here, we're showcasing the women leading the charge in this new frontier of technology, learning about their journeys, and hearing how they entered the world of web3.

Beenish was born in Pakistan and lived there before moving to the UK for university, where she studied law. Her list of accomplishments is long and impressive, if not intimidating. Beyond having a law degree, Beenish also holds a master's degree in Management, Innovation & Entrepreneurship. She authored a book on data governance, founded the Toronto chapter of the LMF Network, and went on to have a successful career working in an array of roles within the technology industry.

In January this year, Beenish joined Boss Beauties as the Director of Operations and is currently writing a new book on web3. So, I am keen to find out what made someone with such a rock-solid career path move into this new and often chaotic world of web3.

Boss Beauties is a global brand that empowers women through NFTs, mentorships, and scholarships. You might remember that we wrote about why it’s a big deal Boss Beauties signed with WME a few weeks ago.

What was your first experience with web3?

I learned about blockchain at university as part of the Internet Law and Regulation course, and also wrote a winning essay on Ethereum. That inspired me to stay up to date with what's going on in the world of cryptocurrencies and this next generation of technology. Even back then, I could see that Ethereum was going to have many use cases beyond currency on a blockchain.

This would have been back in 2014 probably. I remember Bitcoin was already so popular and even thought I should buy some with my pocket money. I was always interested in technology. When I was five, I got my first computer, and at the age of 11, I created a hotel management program in school. I went on to work for different tech companies, where I scaled revenue operations teams and learned a lot of things from strategy to execution and setting up teams for success, so it's been a very fun journey career-wise.

How did the transition happen from being interested in web3 to actually working in it?

One thing that I always wanted to do was work in technology and help immigrants find career success in new places, but as a student, you are not always entirely sure of where you're going to land. Also, as an immigrant, when you have to restart your life in a different society, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly where you fit in, but I knew that I would always find myself thriving in places where technology would be my North Star. I started on the fresh innovations floor of the Royal Bank of Canada in Toronto and got an insight into their plans for the future of fintech products.

I was fascinated by the connection between blockchain payments and how it might change financial structures for the millennials and Gen Zs. I did not expect that one day I would be working in something very similar but with an impact focus, as well as something that uses storytelling to challenge the traditional narratives about women. I think that that's where it all started – but it wasn’t a linear transition at all.

Why did you choose to join Boss Beauties?

Last year, when I first got into NFTs, they were mostly animal PFPs and it was not fulfilling. I could not see a reason, beyond the hype, for why people would stick around in these communities. And then I came across Boss Beauties and saw that everything they did was purposeful, mission-driven, and very personal to me and my experiences.

Boss Beauties supports and creates scholarships and mentorship opportunities for women and girls. Growing up in Pakistan, I was a recipient of a couple of scholarships that helped me study abroad and I later organised a lot of mentorship programmes as part of my own non-profit work. I really believe in those because being an immigrant, and someone who has moved and started life from scratch in two countries, I know that the power of mentorship and sponsorship goes a long way.

That was the first time I had seen something so purposeful and so beautiful happening in the web3 space. I just instantly felt a connection and became a very early supporter and ambassador for Boss Beauties. I also made an effort to connect with fellow Boss Beauties holders and the team. That’s how I met the founder Lisa Mayer, understood her inspiring background and work of over a decade, and knew that Boss Beauties was my happy place.

How did this job in Boss Beauties come about?

It was not a traditional way of finding a job, that's for sure. Boss Beauties became a place where I enjoyed showing up a great deal as a community moderator and holder. Their mission inspired me and I found myself connecting with incredible fellow holders and their founding team and wanting to be a part of the next phase of their journey after the record-breaking 90-minute NFT sellout. I must say that I landed my dream role and was over the moon when Lisa Mayer reached out to me about an opportunity one day. She leads with brilliance and kindness, and I was most touched by her recognition of not only my active engagement in the Boss Beauties community but also my career journey. I love the catchphrase she welcomed me on my first day with – “Bullish on Beenish”.

Were you apprehensive about leaving your successful career in tech behind?

I honestly did not have any apprehension towards web3 because I'm a big believer in technology and I feel like any technology can be designed to create a positive difference in the world and augment human experiences. It is up to us how we decide to use it.

Also, I could see what a creative, collaborative, and welcoming team it is. Boss Beauties already had ideas to grow for the next 2-5-10 years so that was exhilarating, gave me a sense of stability, and also appealed as a challenge. You think to yourself, "I would love to be a part of that and contribute to its growth. Let's grow this rocket ship!"

How do you think about career progression in web3?

Because I was so active in a number of communities, multiple women-led NFT brands were offering me positions at the time but there wasn't always clarity around what kind of position they were offering. It is important for all of us to remember that our career growth must never take the backseat. Sure, there are times in life when we have done jobs we've had to do to pay the bills, but we must always make it a point to keep growing. With Boss Beauties, I found a place where I could see myself enjoying working and doing something that I'm good at, so I'm actually adding value. I could see that there was an opportunity for me to be entrepreneurial and make an impact.

What non-technical skills are directly transferable to web3?

I believe that we are all fundamentally entrepreneurial – that trait will be your greatest friend in web3. This space really needs effective and empathetic communicators who can create a smooth onboarding and user experience, whilst being flexible problem-solvers. Being data-driven also really helps – modelling, forecasting, and creating revenue insights. This space moves at a crazy pace, so being a good team player with agility is essential.

Being open to learning and unlearning is also important. If you were very successful in your previous role at Microsoft or Google, that doesn’t mean you will get everything right in web3, you need that openness and start-up mentality.

What are some of the challenges and advantages of working in web3?

I can answer this in both technical and non-technical ways. As a technologist, I run into interoperability challenges and see a huge potential for web3 and web2 systems to be able to talk to each other, so we can create robust workflows whilst keeping up with the fast-paced demands of consumers. This also ties into scalability and security – we need to adopt a growth mindset, remove any repellent or intimidating terminology, and prioritise security to be in the business of solving problems and helping people understand this, as opposed to viewing it as “that complex new tech thing which not many have the time to try.”

The challenges I am trying to solve every day are: What is the “why” behind the solution I am creating? How does this seamlessly fit into people’s lives, so they interact with it naturally and see it as an extension of existing technology bettering their standard of living? How can I reduce the steps taken for a first timer to try, learn from, and enjoy the experience I am creating?

My work in and passions for adding to the future of the Internet are exuberant and I feel privileged to be around some of the best people in the world, creating long-lasting impact. However, it’s important to prioritise mental health and wellness. We have the power to change narratives in support of mental and physical fitness, neurodiversity, productivity, and much more. So, let’s use that to make systems that glorify burnout-inducing lifestyles ancient.

What advice would you give to anyone looking to get into web3?

First of all, absolutely go for it. It's always a good idea to get started and try something new. Don’t be afraid of failing because if you feel like you took a risk and it didn't work out, welcome to the club – get up and try again, that is how great things are achieved.

I really believe in having an immigrant mentality – always staying on your toes and being open to opportunities, learning, and exploring different ways to connect with people.

Talk to people, educate yourself about the space, join a community, and figure out how you can add value. Then, you will gain that self-assurance to match the big goals you want to accomplish in web3. Nothing beats the power of doing!

Interviewed by Liya Dashkina.

Have a question about web3? Tweet us @liyadashkina and @weareAllBright.

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