Women in Technology: Devin Frachalla

Nexcess’ Marketing Specialist on finding a profession in tech, how her family motivates her, and the motto that keeps her going.

Devin Frachalla has loved tech since she was small. “It began with five-year-old me obsessively taking pictures of my cat, to eight-year-old me recording my very own radio talk show on cassettes, followed by videotaping and editing many embarrassing YouTube skits in middle school,” she says. “I ultimately tapped into coding with my Myspace profile, which all inspired my desire to get my degree in broadcasting and media design.”

Growing up as an only child (before becoming a giant sister at 25), Frachalla spent plenty of time listening to music; bands like Coldplay, Pearl Jam, The Chicks, Smashing Pumpkins, and Jewel were her favorites. She also enjoyed singing karaoke—she even auditioned for American Idol. “In highschool, I used to be in choir, musicals, and cheerleading where my 4’10” self would delay girls within the air as a base,” she says. “I’m small but mighty!”

Born and raised within the western suburbs of Chicago (“Go Cubs!”), she now lives within the Metro Detroit area of Michigan, where she has spent the past three years within the tech field. “My love for technology and marketing is how I ended up at Nexcess, which is an element of the Liquid Web Family of Brands,” she says. Frachalla began at Nexcess in March 2020 as a Marketing Coordinator and transitioned right into a Marketing Specialist role inside a yr. “I oversee our social media accounts, including planning, creating, and executing our social strategy, and maintaining our fame management,” she says. “To maintain up with the everchanging trends, I constantly educate myself so as to cultivate the social media content needed to represent our brand.”

Technology was at all times something Frachalla was fascinated about but was intimidated to pursue. “Working at Nexcess, I really like that I can learn more about this industry and further my education with some talented folks. And to my surprise, technology isn’t nearly being a developer. Technology is utilized in so some ways—from constructing an eCommerce store to producing a movie, playing video games, coding web sites, and even recording a podcast.”

Considered one of Frachalla’s proudest accomplishments was being nominated for Liquid Web’s September 2021 Dewy Award, an award given to someone for his or her outstanding work. As a Dewy Winner, Liquid Web donates $1,000 to any charity of the nominee’s alternative. “For me, not only was it an awesome feeling to be recognized for my work but in addition amazing to have the ability to donate to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation,” she says. “JDRF was there for my baby sister in spring of 2021 when she was diagnosed with T1 diabetes, gifting her their Bag of Hope stuffed with information, goodies, and a stuffed bear that she’ll need to practice putting sites in and giving shots to before having to do it herself as she grows up.”

Family is important to Frachalla, who credits her family members as essentially the most influential in her profession journey. “If it weren’t for having a really supportive, loving, and hard-working family to look as much as,” she says, “I wouldn’t be where I’m today. My parents are an awesome source of motivation for me. That they had me at a young age and didn’t finish college. It was necessary for me to achieve exchange for his or her exertions. I wouldn’t be where I’m today without their love and support. Every part about me, I owe to them. Besides my parents playing an enormous role in my success, I’d need to say my humble upbringing and education prepared me for the success I’ve had up to now.”

The motto that gets her through even essentially the most difficult days is: You bought this! “At any time when I encounter an extended to-do list, have imposter syndrome, or feel overwhelmed with a task, I at all times amp myself up with: you bought this!” It’s a motto she offers to young women considering a tech profession. “From one young woman just starting in tech to a different: you bought this! Be your unapologetic self, make big moves, and stay empowered. Know your value, your price, and that your opinions matter.”

Frachalla is worked up concerning the future of girls in tech. “I believe we will expect great things for our future women techies! In a male-dominated industry, I work with more women now than I ever have at previous corporations, which feels empowering. In these past few years, we’ve come up to now with women in tech, and the workforce basically, that the following few years will probably be even higher. So, if technology is something you’re keen on and revel in learning about, just go for it! Don’t be intimidated or feel such as you won’t make it because, nowadays, there are many opportunities!”