We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Santana and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
What I am most proud of this year is the way I managed my time in the startup jungle amid everything that was going on in the world. I am not perfect at work-life balance yet, but I think I have definitely mastered 99% of the skill. Here are my top five work-life balance strategies for founders building startups:

Done is better than perfect: My schedule is always crazy. Between managing my personal and professional responsibilities, I’ve hacked the art of “being done”. Perfectionism is valuable, but at some point it can stop you from progressing. Whether it is taking a fourth look at your deck, having someone read your email three times before you send it off or using 10 of your friends to read a post before you hit “publish”, think again! Time is something you cannot get back. Not everything is a high priority item that requires your full attention.

You are entitled to say “no”: I love people and I enjoy making new connections and friends, but I have learned to put some respect on my schedule! A lot of people want one-on-one meetings for advice, feedback, idea validation and a whole list of things. If I had one-on-one meetings with everyone that requested one, I would have to dedicate an entire work day or two every week. I have learned to say “no” and I have grown really comfortable with it. Also, I provide people with other options to access me (because I don’t want to be completely inaccessible) and ask for people to email me rather than call me or call me rather than trying to meet in person. The word “no” and providing people with other alternatives to reach me is powerful and keeps me on task. Try it!

Show up when it matters: I get many requests for speaking engagements and I hate turning some of them down. Also, I get invited to many events (now virtually!) and end up turning some of those down too. I have decided to be super intentional about where I show up or feel like I need to have a presence. Truth is, you can’t be everywhere. I minimize the amount of events I attend or speak at or let someone from my team attend them on my behalf. I also try to recommend other peers in the space doing great work as potential speakers.

Delegation and automation is a major key: Managing a team of 40+ now has taken a major workload from me and I am so thankful to be able to delegate to them! If I have learned anything it’s that delegation is a blessing! Automation is another key. Sync your calendars, schedule your social media posts and emails and use a meeting scheduling service like Calendly. Those small seconds in the day count when your time is scarce.

Rest and recharge: Surprise! I am actually not always working. Sundays are “Jessica Appreciation Days” and that is when nails, toes, laundry, cleaning, Netflix and cooking happens. Sundays are not to be compromised and I don’t let anything stand in the way of “me time” because I work close to 12-14 hours a day Monday – Friday (and some times Saturdays!). Pick one day per week or allocate some time during the day to appreciate yourself! Totally worth it.

Energy management: It is super important for you to know your body! I do my best work late at night and really early in the morning. Structure your schedule so that you do deep work during the times your mind is most useful.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
America on Tech [AOT] is a national nonprofit decreasing the racial wealth gap in underestimated communities by creating pathways for BIPOC students into degrees and careers in technology.

AOT was founded in 2014 by myself and Evin Floyd Robinson. Both of us are people of color, graduates of the NYC public-school system and first-generation college grads who formerly worked in the technology industry [Accenture, Deloitte, and JP Morgan Chase].

When we were employed in the tech sector, we quickly noticed a disconnect between ourselves and our peers – there were very few other people who looked like us or had similar lived experiences. We understood that something proactive had to be done to begin to systematically change the face of the tech sector. With this AOT was born and today we are serving the students we once were.

AOT’s theory of change is that everyone should have the opportunity to compete fairly for the opportunities of today’s technology-driven workforce, particularly low-income BIPOC students who are historically excluded from the tech sector equation. When we think about the young people we serve, we know that when given the resources to succeed, they thrive and not only create promising career pathways for themselves, but for others in their communities. In this way, AOT seeks to foster systemic change by increasing the presence of BIPOC youth of color in high income tech careers.

To achieve its theory of change, AOT is retooling the educational status quo by transforming the educational experience with technology for BIPOC youth. We are moving beyond addressing just the formal goals and measures of equality – such as tech access, STEM diversity, or digital participation – by using technology and skills development to build vocabularies and fluencies around race, class, gender and other lines of oppression.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many places in Los Angeles that I love. My top three favorite restaurants are Crossroads Kitchen, Pura Vita and Drago Centro. My top three favorite rooftops are Perch, Wayfarer, Broken Shaker and Ace Hotel. My favorite beaches are Manhattan and Will State Rogers! I love hiking the Griffith Observatory and Rancho Palos Verdes. I also love taking long drives down PCH! So much to do in this city and this list doesn’t even cover it all.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shout out my parents! In the early 1960s my Puerto Rican parents left their island to pursue the typical American dream: freedom, wealth and prosperity for generations that would follow them. Behind they left everything familiar so my siblings could lead successful lives. Little did they know that finding the means to move to New York was only the first barrier they would encounter in trying to uplift the family out of poverty. Upon arriving to the big city, they were met with jobs in manufacturing, public housing and little knowledge about how to navigate the systems that help citizens of this country make informed decisions about work and life. Their dreams were deferred, but they made sure mines weren’t. I am so grateful for their care, their unconditional love and the space they provided for me growing up that made me what I am today/

Website: http://americaontech.org // http://jessicasantana.com

Instagram: @americaontech // @jessworldwide

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/company/americaontech // http://linkedin.com/in/jessworldwide

Twitter: @americaontech // @jessworldwide

Image Credits
Heather Stern Kylie Repasy Nyeri

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