Ishita’s Rise in Business Development and Digital Marketing

In the dynamic world of technology and digital marketing, Ishita Bhandari's journey as a Head of Business Development is truly inspiring. It’s a testament to resilience, adaptability, and unwavering dedication.

In this interview, we explore Ishita’s path, the challenges she has faced, and her vision for the future, offering valuable insights for aspiring women in tech.

Liliya: What kind of work do you do in tech? What is your role?

Ishita: I’m a Business Development and Client Accounts Manager at a web design and SEO agency Web Hitters. My role is to generate highly qualified leads and convert them. Once they become our clients, I work towards keeping them satisfied through consistent communication and reporting.

Liliya: Who did you want to be when you grew up?

Ishita:  I wanted to be a pilot. But I never had a chance to go that route. I lost my father to his chronic illness when I was 20. So, it was a big thing for me to be able to complete my graduation from Bachelor of Tech as is.

I didn’t know what course of action was needed to become a pilot nor I had enough resources to go down that lane. So, that dream remained a dream. 

Liliya: Can you share your journey into the tech industry? What or who inspired you to pursue a career in technology?

Ishita: I graduated in engineering and communication and got placed in an MNC when I was 21. But I soon left that job because it was far from home and I felt really homesick. 

After 1.5 years, I enrolled in a digital marketing course, which became a very thriving field. That’s how I got into it—unplanned!

Liliya: What are some of the accomplishments you're most proud of in your career?

Ishita: Coming from a non-sales background, I have been able to generate over $3M in revenue for my organization in the past 5+ years.

Liliya: How do you balance the demands of a high-pressure tech job with your personal life?

Ishita: I'm a mom of two girls (6 years and 1 year) and a full-time remote employee. Living and breathing this scenario makes me realize that everything can wait—except your kids and your relationships.

I’d make sure to set clear boundaries and give time to my kids while ensuring that I don't miss a beat at work.

Liliya: What challenges have you faced as a woman in tech, and how have you overcome them?

Ishita: I’ve seen that new entrants face difficulty because they aren’t knowledgeable enough and, therefore, aren’t openly given a seat at the table. 

But I kept fighting for my place and let my work and skills speak for itself. Now, I am the Head of the Business Development department, and my organization cherishes me.

Liliya: What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the tech industry?

Ishita: Go for it. The time is now. Don’t wait for others to give you a green flag. You’ll never get started this way. You might wobble, you might fall down at times, but keep going, and you’ll find your way.

Liliya: How can men in the tech industry be allies to women and underrepresented groups?

Ishita: Men can become strong advocates when they realize that together, men and women can achieve anything. They just need to stand firm and be mindful of any unconscious biases. Little things mean a lot.

Liliya: What emerging technologies or trends are you most excited about and why?

Ishita: I’m really excited about AI and also about Google Analytics, a traffic monitoring tool. Their combination can provide unmatched analysis.

I'm also excited about the business analysis. I've seen many e-commerce stores struggling to get sales and traction. I would like to help reduce their data overload and use the right data to scale up! 

Liliya: What else would you like the readers to know about you?

Ishita: I’d like my readers to know this vulnerable part of me: I always used to seek external validation. If someone said I’m a good mother, I’d be happy, but if someone said the opposite, I’d start feeling like a failure! But this took a toll on my health. So, I knew I had to change this scenario. 

It takes practice, but start believing in yourself. If you know you’re rocking it, just keep at it, regardless of what others say!

In a world full of filters, just love your life unfiltered.

A question from Maria Belen Niño who was recognized in Women in Tech prior. You can read her journey here.

Belen: How do you cope with hard times?

Ishita: I’ve faced many hardships in life. Since I was 13 years old it has never been a smooth sail. My father is everything to me and I lost him too early in life. It left me numb for 4 months and I couldn’t even cry.

When I look back at these events and see something different than expected coming my way, I give myself a pat on the back and say, “You’ve got this!”

With self-belief, nothing seems impossible or difficult to cope with. Nothing is hard it’s just not how we expected so we think it’s hard. The Universe has instead given us another chance to be even stronger. 

Conclusion

Ishita’s journey is a powerful example of how determination and adaptability can lead to success. Her story is filled with valuable lessons on balancing professional and personal life, overcoming challenges as a woman in tech, and the importance of self-belief. 

Ishita’s insights and experiences will undoubtedly inspire many young women to pursue their dreams in technology and beyond. 

Her advice to "Go for it" and to start believing in oneself serves as a powerful reminder that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible.