About Podcast
There’s nothing like an idea whose time has come. If you’re feeling stuck in a cycle of self-doubt and hesitation, constantly putting off your dream business because of fear or uncertainty, then you are not alone! Our next guest is Alex Knight, a female mechanical engineer who made a bold move to leave behind a life of comfort and familiarity to answer a calling.
That calling involved starting STEMAZING, a non-profit organization that addresses the troubling gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. And Alex did this during perhaps one of the most uncertain periods in modern history – the Covid-19 pandemic.
Not allowing herself to succumb to self-doubt and pity, Alex quickly shifted her business model from in-person activities to online. This pivot became the catalyst for scaling reach, impact, and revenue for STEMAZING. Through strategic partnerships with corporations and schools, and a committed volunteer salesforce, STEMAZING has facilitated over 150,000 engagements to introduce STEM to children in just four years!
In this scale tale, Alex shares how a traumatic childhood event inspired her to become an engineer and eventually start STEMAZING. You’ll also learn how to:
- Identify a niche market and start a business providing solutions for them,
- Leverage digital technologies to expand your ability to deliver products and services remotely,
- Tap into your resilience and resourcefulness to navigate business challenges, and more!
Expect to be inspired to start a new business, product, or service that aligns with your passion and values while also providing a meaningful impact.
- Empowering Women and Non-Binary People in STEM – Building confidence and providing professional development to enhance visibility and impact.
- Inspiring the Next Generation – Engaging children with fun STEM activities to spark curiosity.
- Promoting Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity – Advocating for an inclusive STEM landscape by breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes.
- Leveraging Digital Platforms for Reach – Expanding accessibility through virtual programs and online resources.
- Sustainable Growth and Impact – Strengthening the foundation for long-term success and lasting change in STEM education.
Special Guest: Alex Knight, Founder & CEO of STEMAZING
Location: Northumberland, England UK
Air Date: January 3, 2025
Websites:
- STEMAZING: the website home to the non-profit Alex started with a mission to expose young girls to STEM.
- Alex was nominated for a Top Engineer award by the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK
Producer & Host: Alicia Butler Pierre
Audio Editor: Olanrewaju Adeyemo
Sound Design: Sabor! Music Enterprises
Video Editor: Gladys Jimenez
Production Assistant: Hashim Tale
Sponsor: Equilibria, Inc.More About Alexandra “Alex” Knight:
Unlikely engineer, recovering wallflower and Founder of STEMAZING. From shy imposter to award-winning engineer and Founder, Visiting Professor and visible role model speaking on stages and appearing on TV. In 2019 Alex sold her house, left her job and even cancelled Netflix to follow her passion for equity and inclusion in STEM.
More About Host, Alicia Butler Pierre:
Alicia Butler Pierre is the Founder & CEO of Equilibria, Inc. Her career in operations began over 25 years ago while working in various chemical plants and oil refineries. She invented the Kasennu™ framework for business infrastructure and authored, Behind the Façade: How to Structure Company Operations for Sustainable Success. She is the producer of Scale Tales podcast and the weekly top 2% Business Infrastructure podcast with a global audience across 70+ countries.Alicia is also an adjunct instructor of Lean Principles at Purdue University and serves as the USA Chair of the G100’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. The Process Excellence Network recognized her as a Top 50 Thought Leader in Operational Excellence. A chemical engineer turned entrepreneur, she’s designed and optimized processes for small businesses, large enterprises, non-profits, and government organizations alike.
More About Sponsor, Equilibria:
Equilibria, Inc. is a 19-year-old boutique operations management firm. We build the business infrastructure necessary for fast-growing businesses to scale with less pain. With a range of services and products, entrepreneurs can get the operational support and resources they need on demand.
