#269 Lilly Chen from high-school dropout to monk and tech-founder

From humble beginnings working on a spreadsheet application to grappling with the rapid transformations in the developer industry, Lilly Chen's journey through the software realm has been nothing short of fascinating. With experiences ranging from the challenges of being a first-time manager to the profound influence of mentors who "lifted as they climbed," Lilly offers a unique perspective on growth, resilience, and paving the way for others.

Lilly placed the start of her journey in high school, where she spent more days out than in high school. She told us about her health problems and how she spent a year as a monk in a monastery in China. We spoke of people lifting her and how she returned to the USA. We discussed her college studies and the people who made a long-lasting impact on her. We talked about how she became a developer, her first memorable interview, and how she slowly entered the world of startups. We finally talked about Contenda, the company she created.

In this episode, Lilly takes us from her first steps into software development to her present-day leadership role at Contenda. She delves into the challenges and triumphs she has faced, highlighting the invaluable lessons she has learned along the way. With a focus on mentorship and the pivotal role early managers play in shaping a career, Lilly stresses the significance of receiving guidance and providing it to the next generation of developers.

If you want to learn more about the ethos of "lifting as you climb" and get inspiration from Lilly's incredible journey, tune in to this episode!

Three Compelling Reasons to Listen to the Full Episode:

Lilly's vast experience, from starting coding at 8 to becoming a CEO, offers unique insights into the ever-changing tech landscape, perfect for anyone at any stage of their tech career.The episode delves deep into the importance of mentorship. Hearing about the roles a monk and many people played in Lilly's journey underscores the value of guidance in a developer's path.Lilly emphasizes "lifting as you climb", shedding light on the critical responsibility that comes with growth and leadership in tech, making it a must-listen for aspiring tech leaders.

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