Meet Nikki Smith | Founder of SheHackedIt & Cybersecurity Leader

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikki Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikki, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
The most important lesson my career has taught me is the invaluable role of emotional awareness and intelligence in achieving success and fostering positive relationships within the workplace. I’ve learned that beyond technical skills and expertise, understanding and effectively managing emotions, both my own and those of others, significantly influence productivity, teamwork, and overall organizational culture.

By being attuned to the emotions of my colleagues, clients, and superiors, I’ve been able to navigate complex situations with empathy and diplomacy, leading to smoother collaboration and conflict resolution. Additionally, possessing emotional intelligence has empowered me to communicate effectively, build trust, and inspire confidence in my leadership abilities.

Furthermore, recognizing the impact of emotions on decision-making processes has enabled me to approach challenges with a balanced perspective, considering not only the rational aspects but also the human elements involved. This holistic approach has proven instrumental in driving innovation, fostering creativity, and enhancing morale within teams.

Overall, prioritizing emotional awareness and intelligence has not only enriched my professional interactions but has also contributed significantly to my personal growth and fulfillment in my career.

What should our readers know about your business?
What sets SheHackedIt apart from others in the industry is our unwavering commitment to delivering tailored, innovative solutions that prioritize both security, usability, and budget for startups. We believe in going beyond conventional approaches to address evolving cybersecurity threats, which often times can be very expensive, and we empower our clients to navigate digital landscapes with confidence because they know they are working with some of the industry’s best cybersecurity experts, while keeping their business goals in mind.

One aspect of our business that we’re particularly proud of is our team’s expertise and dedication. Each expert brings a unique skill set and perspective to the table, allowing us to offer comprehensive services that cater to diverse needs. We offer services such as risk assessments, penetration testing, vulnerability management, and vCISO as a service to name a few, and we’re constantly exploring how to expand our services given emerging technologies and best practices. We’re always excited about the continuous learning and growth opportunities in the cybersecurity space because ultimately, our customers benefit from our research and ability to balance that with their resources.

In addition to this we align women, specifically from underrepresented groups with cybersecurity and technology backgrounds, with opportunities where their expertise can be utilized. In fact, it is baked into the core of SheHackedit. We are very intentional about contributing to closing the gender gap in cybersecurity.

Though the journey hasn’t been easy, it’s been incredibly rewarding. Like any business, we’ve faced challenges along the way, from navigating regulatory complexities to adapting to rapid technological advancements. However, we’ve overcome these obstacles by fostering a culture of collaboration and networking, being resilient to unfavorable circumstances, and prioritizing open communication and proactive problem-solving. We have a culture of continuous improvement, which has been instrumental in overcoming challenges and driving our business forward.

At the end of the day, I would want the world to know that SheHackedIt is a consultancy startups can count on to help foster more conversation and understanding around cybersecurity and the threats targeting their business, regardless of the vertical or industry they’re in. SheHackedIt is the kind of company you want to keep in your back pocket because statistically, its not a matter of if – but when, a company is at the center of a cyber attack. Preparedness is the name of the game and SheHackedIt can help prepare and fortify the assets that are most critical to the success of any business.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, for eats – I am a HUGE fan of Slutty Vegan, not just because the food tastes good, but they boast multiple locations around the metro-Atlanta area so I can typically easily pop up at a location within 10-15 minutes for a good burger and some fries no matter where I am. They serve other treats too like alcoholic slushy beverages and mini desserts. Yum!

For a finer dining experience, I would probably go to Rumi’s – their Salmon with charred onion, citrus, saffron, and herb basmati rice is fantastic! Pro-tip, get the Rumi’s yogurt as well as a side dish. It cools the pallet and pairs very well with the dish.

For hanging out, I’m pretty simple – I enjoy the belt line because there are so many things to do like ride bikes or just go for a walk and observe the beautiful art along the way. There are also many places to eat and drink along the belt line as well.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely!

Person – I would like to first shoutout my fellow entrepreneur Danon Vaugn, Founder of Ransom Shield, for connecting me with shoutout ATL!

Organizations – I must also thank the non-profit organizations I’m involved with, such as Black Girls Hack, Cyversity, and the Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu, for enabling me to find and connect with my community. I have nothing but complete gratitude for these organizations as their work aligns with causes that are deeply meaningful to me, such as the diversification and inclusion of underrepresented groups within the technology space. These organizations play a vital role in addressing societal challenges, promoting positive change, and supporting communities in need, and it is an honor to serve them and be part of their missions.

Family – Last, but certainly not least, I would have to shoutout my loved ones. I shoutout my mother and father, Mark and Stephanie, for their unconditional love and stressing the importance of discipline which has shaped much of the work ethic I have today. My sisters, Tasha and Candice, for being amazing role models with unwavering support. My best friend in life, and in tech, Vanessa, for always pushing me to see it through and achieve my goals. And to my partner, the love of my life, Cecilia, for being my #1 fan, enabling me to be my authentic self 100% of the time and consistently reminding me that I am enough.

Website: shehackedit.com

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/shehackedit