Hello! I’m Krishna Solanki, and I’m a brand and Squarespace website designer that I creates distinctive brands and bold websites for businesses of all sizes that truly stand out from the crowd. As the owner and sole designer my role is currently everything from running the day to day agency, designing visual brand identities and websites, developing and testing the websites, to client management, sales and marketing.
How did you end up doing the job you're doing now?
I’ve been a digital designer/front end developer for over 15 years, but after 2 children and an endless struggle to be able to climb the career ladder and raise a family at the same time, I decided there was no better time to take my business (Krishna Solanki Designs) full-time than at the end of my second maternity leave in February 2019. In a nutshell, I want it all… (without sounding greedy)… I want a career and I want a family, and so I’m making that happen with the support of a handful of people cheering me on.
If you could say something to yourself before you started a career in tech what would it be?
The struggle is real and there has been a clear lack of females in the industry but that’s changing, keep going. Don’t give up. Make your mark and don’t be afraid. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
What's the most challenging thing you've found about being a woman in tech?
The feeling of being alone. Ever since I can remember, I was always the only female, or one of 2, on a male-dominated team that was coding or able to code. Walking into a meeting or room full of business/agency owners and thinking “not again!….Where are all the females?…”
Lockdown bonus questions:
How has lockdown affected your life and your job? Are you working from home? Furloughed?
Are you enjoying the downtime or can you not wait for things to go back to normal(ish)?
Lockdown has been… interesting! I think it’s not only the worst time but also the best time. As a family unit, it’s brought us all closer together. With a 6-year-old (aka as Head of Distraction) that was being homeschooled, a toddler (aka Head of Destruction) who wants to start a food fight at any given opportunity, and a husband who is unfortunately bound to the 9-5, and with me running my own design agency, all under the same roof….it’s definitely been challenging. I very quickly adapted my business to work around the family – my working hours changed to 16:00-21:00 (Monday-Friday). Initially, I wasn’t sure how things would pan out (I don’t believe anyone did…or does) but so far so good.
Some much needed change of scenery for us all has meant we’ve managed to find some new biking routes when we have been out. Head of Disruption and Head of Destruction weren’t complaining so happy times all round!
