Inside Chelsea Pierre’s Vision for TechHeads and Blerds Leading Technology
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First off, how are you doing these days? It’s been quite a journey for you—establishing two companies and becoming a notable voice in technology. I’d love to know how you’re feeling at this precise moment in your life.
Right now, I feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders. My perspective on companies was based on “I”: How can I help others? How can I grow my company? Are there any ways I can make a difference? Now that I have hired employees, I feel the weight of "they". In what ways can they (as in my employees) benefit from working for me? In what ways can they (the customers) benefit from our services?
At the moment, I feel a sense of responsibility for ensuring my company's success and long-term existence – to not only change lives but enhance the lives of others who trust our company's services. Customers, employees, and followers on social media are all included in this.
Let’s step back to where it all began. Can you describe the very first memory that made you fall in love with technology? Maybe it was an old computer that hummed in the background, or a parent who encouraged your curiosity. What did those early experiences look, sound, and feel like?
Funny enough, I didn't grow up loving technology. It was a love-hate relationship for me when it came to anything technical. Video games and the latest phone didn't interest me. I would replace any electronics if it broke. My dislike of technology lasted through high school, the military (even though I was positioned in that career field), and college. Computer science was the only degree I pursued because it had the word "computer" in it, and since I worked on computers in the military, I figured getting one would make sense. My curiosity was sparked after I left the military and started working for Geek Squad in Best Buy during the day while finishing my undergrad. Working for Geek Squad means dealing with multiple devices that have any number of technical glitches. Ransomware became more and more popular in 2013 as a result of increasing levels of attacks. It was confusing and intriguing to me that someone not living in your household could gain access to your personal computer and prevent you from using it. At that moment, I became fascinated with cybersecurity and wanted to learn more.
Your path to creating Pierre’s TechHeads and Blerds Leading Technology seems like it involved equal parts bravery and vision. What was happening in your world—both personally and professionally—when you decided to strike out on your own? Could you walk us through a pivotal moment when you realized, “Yes, I have to do this”?
There is a connection between the two companies. While living in Tampa, I was interested in advancing my career in cyber security. Even though I had a good-paying job, I wanted to learn more about the workforce opportunities in the surrounding area. I attended multiple meetup group sessions, tech conferences, cyber summits, and anything I could do to build my career network. While I was attending numerous tech networking events, I started to notice that there was a lack of diversity in the events. At this time, I did some research to understand why there is a lack of minority and women presence. Motivated by a desire to create opportunities for underrepresented communities in the IT field, I took on the role of President of the Blacks in Technology (BIT), Tampa Chapter. Under my leadership, we successfully expanded the chapter’s reach to encompass Tampa, Orlando, Sarasota, and St. Petersburg, prompting a rebranding to Blacks in Technology, Central Florida Chapter.
"Funny enough, I didn't grow up loving technology. It was a love-hate relationship for me when it came to anything technical. Video games and the latest phone didn't interest me. I would replace any electronics if it broke."
As my passion for empowering others grew, I recognized the need for greater autonomy in shaping my vision. While leading an established nonprofit chapter allowed me to make a significant impact, I soon encountered limitations in addressing the deeper gaps that hinder underrepresented communities from excelling in their IT careers. This pivotal realization led me to open my own company, which gave me the flexibility to make decisions aligned with my mission and values.
While sitting on a panel at a tech conference, a woman asked me a question that would change my life. She asked how I would address the growing issue of women struggling to find employment, even after earning industry certifications and gaining hands-on experience. Her question went beyond the surface—it challenged me to consider how I was ensuring that the members receiving services through Blerds Leading Technology were not just trained but also gainfully employed afterward. I made a promise that day to find a solution and create real employment opportunities.
A few years after that conference, I fulfilled that promise by launching Pierre’s TechHeads, a company designed to open doors for anyone seeking to enter the IT field.
Blerds Leading Technology has already become a beacon for those who rarely see themselves reflected in the tech community. What ignited your passion to address representation so directly? Could you take us inside the moment you knew you wanted to build a space specifically for “Blerds” to feel seen, heard, and celebrated?
Throughout the year, Tampa hosts multiple tech conferences. Back then, I noticed that few black women attended these conferences. One day, I spotted another black woman at a government technology conference and was eager to speak with her. The moment I approached her, I noticed she had been hired to pass out water and juice. As a result, I decided to investigate whether the lack of diversity was a regional or national problem. We found that this issue is widespread across the country after speaking with multiple people. At that moment, I realized something had to be done. After much consideration, I decided to run for president of Blacks in Technology Tampa, now called Central Florida Chapter.
After winning and seeing the challenges up close, I realized I had to form my own company to address all the shortcomings without being constrained by a city chapter. Being in the military, I am used to seeing diversity. Seeing the lack of diversity in the data centers and tech events after leaving the military, I was inspired to come up with a solution. I wanted to help not only women but also black people, people of color of all genders, as well as the LGBT community. When it came to representing the unrepresented, there were enough companies with Black in the title. My wife then suggested we make something for Blerds, Black Nerds. That's how Blerds Leading Technology came to be. It wasn't about building technology, it was about being in technology, but it was about being in Leading Technology.
"While leading an established nonprofit chapter allowed me to make a significant impact, I soon encountered limitations in addressing the deeper gaps that hinder underrepresented communities from excelling in their IT careers."
Every founder faces hurdles—financial constraints, naysayers, or even personal doubts. What were some of the most daunting obstacles you encountered in building these companies? How did those challenges transform not just your business acumen, but also your sense of self?
It is interesting to note that both companies faced different challenges. Blerds Leading Technology, a primarily academic structure, received investments despite multiple people saying it will not thrive as customers can participate in nonprofits for free rather than paying a monthly subscription fee. Pierre's TechHeads receives praise but does not receive funding since it is "just another computer repair shop".
Lesson learned: Don't waste time trying to persuade others.
During this process, I had to ask myself a critical question-how much belief did I have in my own vision? If I never received an investment or acknowledgement, would I still press forward? Owning a business challenged my resolve and perseverance. Despite the daunting statistics—only 0.3% of Black women receive financial backing from investors, 90% of small businesses fail within the first three years, and 63% of tech startups don’t survive—I realized that my purpose mattered more than the outcome.
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Lesson learned: Don't waste time trying to persuade others.
My stubborn personality only intensified through this process. When I believe in something, I don’t back down, and building this business reaffirmed that unwavering determination.
The people who work with and for you must have some incredible stories of their own. Can you share a bit about the culture you’ve created within your teams at Pierre’s TechHeads and BLT? How do you foster an atmosphere that embraces both cutting-edge tech and authentic community?
When I watched YouTube videos of wealthy women in business, I learned that picking your team carefully is the key to success. The relationship between me and my employees is extremely open. It is my goal for each employee to be excited about being a part of a startup company that will soon be recognized nationally. I want my employees to feel a part of our company's growth, so they should always feel connected to it by hearing about upcoming projects and partnerships. It is my goal to create a company culture that is always pleasant to customers. The ability to provide technical solutions can be taught, but the ability to provide customer service cannot, so I hire based on their customer service skills and willingness to learn. By hiring college students, I give them the opportunity to be as innovative as possible. They are encouraged to build any system or software they believe will help the company. In the end, they will be the next generation of technicians once they graduate from college, so I will buy the tools and licenses they need to create cutting-edge technology.
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I learned that picking your team carefully is the key to success.
Education seems to be at the heart of everything you do—whether it’s offering workshops, mentorship, or just a sense of belonging. How did you shape your platforms to ensure that learning and uplifting others remain core values rather than afterthoughts?
By the time someone leaves your presence without learning anything from you, the fruit has not been planted. My approach is to want everyone to succeed in a path that was a lot easier than mine. There are times when the message was not missed, it was the messenger. Although I can't predict who will become the next tech billionaire, I can provide an opportunity for education and encouragement that some may only receive from someone who sounds or looks like me.
Looking at the future of tech, especially in an industry that evolves at breakneck speed, you must have a strong vision for what lies ahead. What do you imagine for the next five or ten years—for yourself, for Pierre’s TechHeads, and for Blerds Leading Technology? Where do you see the biggest opportunities and the most urgent needs?
I have to stay on top of new technological developments as a business owner. It will be exciting to see what happens in the next 5 or 10 years. For Pierre's TechHeads, I am a firm believer in the motto "If it can be built, it can be fixed." As a result, I can see us forming partnerships with vendors to repair their devices while using BLT to train employees. The biggest opportunity ahead is to expand regionally, understand the tech gaps of that region, and adjust services accordingly. As we are a corporation, I hope at least Pierre's TechHeads is in a position to go public in the next 10 years and sell the company, so I can continue to run Blerds Leading Technology.
"Despite the daunting statistics—only 0.3% of Black women receive financial backing from investors, 90% of small businesses fail within the first three years, and 63% of tech startups don’t survive—I realized that my purpose mattered more than the outcome."
Finally, if you were to leave us with one lasting image of your journey—something that encapsulates the triumphs, the heartbreaks, the breakthroughs—what would that be? Is there a moment, maybe just a few seconds, that still plays in your mind like the final scene of a movie, summing up why you do what you do?
As my career finale, I hope to be able to speak at colleges and pay all student loans for every student earning a Computer Science or equivalent degree. By doing so, I hope that other successful people in the IT industry will do the same thing, and they will carry the movement on for years until one day they name a scholarship after me. It all starts with education and encouragement. It is impossible to be encouraged if you are worried about debt, and it is impossible to be educated if you believe that it would not be beneficial to you.
Learn more about Blerds and Pierre's Tech Heads:
https://www.pierrestechheads.com
https://www.instagram.com/pierres_techheads
https://facebook.com/attackoftheblerds0
https://www.linkedin.com/company/pierre-s-techheads-inc
https://www.tiktok.com/@pierres_techheads
Chelsea Pierre is a tech enthusiast. After serving as a system administrator in the Air Force, she began a career in IT. Over the last ten years, she has held various positions in Network Security and Cyber Security, ranging from working on the floor of an international casino chain to sitting in architectural meetings for the Department of Homeland Security to discuss network security infrastructure. With her dedication to inspiring other women entering the IT field, Chelsea has been a keynote speaker and panelist at multiple technology conferences, including the Women in Tech Global Conference and Black is Tech Young Black Professional (YBP) Conference. When she is not speaking at conferences or offering her services in the workplace, Chelsea develops and teaches Cyber Defense courses. Multiple students have benefitted from Chelsea's teaching, including teaching the Joint Military Services as a Tech School Instructor and developing online courses for PluralSite and Cybrary. Today, Chelsea owns two companies, Blerds Leading Technology and Pierre's TechHeads, and also teaches college courses, as a professor, at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, NE. Aside from her career pursuits, her wife and two twin daughters, ages 14, love her deeply. After graduating from Troy University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Chelsea Pierre went on to Auburn University to pursue her Executive MBA and Master's degree in Information Systems Management. Additionally, she is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, and in her free time, plays on the city's local women's rugby team.
