Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayte Malik.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Dresscode comes from a place of passion. Growing up I was exposed to technology, innovation and strong business women. Family dinner conversations usually centered around the latest technologies being developed at what was then a thriving Fortune 100 company, financial investments and sports. My mom spent most of her career at XEROX as did the rest of my family.
I loved making/creating things and solving problems, which is what innovation and technology does.
In college I set out to study computer science. When I got to school I was one of two women in the program, this was 1999. Quickly I felt very alone and I fell behind because I did not have exposure to basic programming skills like the male classmates and I ultimately ended up switching majors to business more specifically business information systems, because I felt like I didn’t belong.
I never stopped being passionate about tech and innovation. I taught myself programming languages and spent much of my career in technology-focused roles. I found a similar problem in the workplace as the classroom. I was usually the only woman on a project.
Dresscode is a perfect convergence of my passion for innovation, my love of fashion and my background in technology strategy, software product development, retail and eCommerce. It started as a class project while working on my executive MBA at The University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business.
Prior to business school my non-linear career path included strategy, technology, consulting and marketing roles for Fortune 100 companies including Bank of America, Sears and Macy’s.
Dresscode believes there is beauty in innovation and technology. The company merges fashion and technology to excite and educate women and girls about computer science, coding and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
Dresscode has sophisticated accessories that have computer science code strings from different languages on them. The user then takes that code on the bracelet and enters it into the website to unlock different lessons that teach the user how to code.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Entrepreneurship is never a smooth road, there are many ups and down. As a team at Dresscode we try to think of multiple solutions when we set out to do something to try and mitigate any risks or surprises, but no matter what there are always surprises. One thing I struggle with is not being able to move fast enough, whether it be not having resources like money or people or just because it takes a long time to build a company. Success does not happen overnight and we still have a long way to go at Dresscode.
I have had to learn a lot about manufacturing because we have a physical product. That was hard, I rolled up my sleeves, asked for help and tried to figure out how to get our bracelets massed produced. It has taken a long time but our manufacturing should be up and running for the holidays.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Dresscode Tech story. Tell us more about the business.
Dresscode believes there is beauty in innovation and technology. The company merges fashion and technology to excite and educate women and girls about computer science, coding and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
Dresscode has sophisticated accessories that have computer science code strings from different languages on them. The user then takes that code on the bracelet and enters it into the website to unlock different lessons that teach the user how to code.
Over the last year we have expose over 1500 women and girls to coding and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) through the Dresscode platform, speaker series and other events, giving them basic coding skills while using fashion as a catalyst to excite them about technology and innovation. From a business perspective we have increased our revenue by 1266% and our US customer footprint by 136%. We currently offer three coding lessons in HTML, CSS and JavaScript
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Leading up to the holidays we will be doing private pop up shop events across the country. We will also be announcing soon a new strategic project where we aim to expose even more women and girls to Coding and STEM. We hope to make this announcement in early fall.
We also plan to launch new lessons in 3D pricing, data and voice technology.
Pricing:
- Our bracelets retail for $40
- You get a bracelet, coding lesson and access to the lesson code once it is completed
- Get 20% on our site when you sign up for our email list
Contact Info:
- Website: www.DresscodeTech.com
- Email: contact@DresscodeTech.com
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