Building the ‘Zillow of Franchising’ with Mariyam Shamshidova of Wefranch Women in Tech New York

Women in Tech Podcast, hosted by Espree Devora

Women in Tech Podcast: Mariyam Shamshidova
Wefranch US tour: https://tour.wefranch.com/signup/los-angeles-2

Host: Espree Devora
Guest: Mariyam Shamshidova (Growth & Product Lead, Wefranch)
Location: Lighthouse Studio, Venice, CA
Episode Theme: Navigating Entrepreneurship, Franchising, and Building Purposeful Careers in Tech

Key Topics & Highlights

• Mariyam’s Journey: From Uzbekistan to Vanderbilt to NYC startup life.
• What is Wefranch? Making franchising accessible with data-driven tools, and what being the “Zillow of franchising” means.
• The Power of Franchising: Debunking myths, its accessibility for young founders and creators, and why it’s an untapped lucrative opportunity.
• Early-Stage Startup Life: The reality of multi-tasking, learning on the go, and finding confidence without a big brand name.
• Purpose & Success: Redefining success beyond status, and staying connected to your “why.”
• Women & Belief: The importance of self-belief, especially for women in tech, and breaking mental models that keep women from applying for opportunities.
• Event Building & Community: Mariyam’s hands-on tactics for event marketing and growth – from local connectors to personalized outreach.
• Personal Growth: Lessons from Charlie Munger, advice on prioritization, and finding mentorship in unexpected places.

Resources & Recommendations

• Company: Wefranch.com – Marketplace for franchising opportunities
• Recommended Book: Poor Charlie’s Almanack by Charlie Munger
• Must-Follow Thought Leader: Paul Graham (Y Combinator essays)
• Past Relevant Episode: WeAreLATech podcast with Wefranch founder Gregory Ugwi

Favorite Quotes

“In order to do anything, you must believe that the thing is possible.”

“It’s not about the magazine cover — it’s about how you feel in your body every day.”

“If she can do it, so can I.”

Connect with Us

• Podcast VIP Community: womenintechvip.com
• Social: @WomenInTechShow on all platforms

Listen and get inspired by Mariyam’s story — redefining what’s possible for women in tech, one bold step at a time.

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