Show notes
Episode Notes
What do Neopets, a college essay, and a six-figure freelancing business have in common? They're all part of Mia Kotalik's incredible journey into the tech world.
At just 25 years old, Mia has already built a career most people would be proud of at any age. She's co-founder of Curie & Co, a company named after her dog and rabbit who were her "co-workers" during COVID lockdown. She's worked with everyone from small nonprofits to Google and major pharmaceutical companies.
But Mia's path wasn't traditional. She started programming at 8, originally planned to go into medicine, and turned high school freelancing into a business that hit six figures before graduating college. Now she's on a mission to democratize technology, hosting two podcasts and creating accessible resources to help others find their own unconventional paths in tech.
Fresh off a three-week trip to Japan and recently moved from Boston to LA, Mia joins us to share insights on entrepreneurship, the future of tech, and why she believes there's no single right way to build a career in this industry.
Key Topics:
• Starting to code at 8 years old with Python
• The famous Neopets college essay story
• Balancing freelance work with college studies
• Corporate vs freelance career paths in tech
• Biggest business mistakes and pricing strategies
• Building a portfolio without clients
• Advice for women entering tech
• The future of programming with AI
• Starting "Technically, A Podcast"
Guest: Mia Kotalik - Co-founder of Curie & Co, Host of "Technically, A Podcast" Website: miakotalik.com Social: @curieandco
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