Breaking Barriers: Neetu Sadhwani’s Journey to Empower Women in IT

Intro: Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX Studios, it’s time for Women In Motion. Brought to you by WBEC-West. Join forces. Succeed together. Now, here’s your host.

Lee Kantor: Lee Kantor here, another episode of Women In Motion and this is going to be a good one. But before we get started, it’s important to recognize our sponsor, WBEC-West. Without them, we couldn’t be sharing these important stories. Today on Women In Motion, we have Neetu Sadhwani, she is the Co-Founder and President of Sunrise Group. Welcome.

Neetu Sadhwani: Thank you. Thank you for having me.

Lee Kantor: Well, I’m so excited to learn what you’re up to. Tell us about the Sunrise Group. How are you serving folks?

Neetu Sadhwani: Sure. So, we at Sunrise Group, we provide IT services. We’ve been in business since 2008. I came to this country as an immigrant, and when I got the opportunity to start my business, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. So, I started my consulting company where there were no discrimination, there were equal opportunities for all, because I personally faced them. I knew what it was like to be female in IT.

Neetu Sadhwani: So, when the time came and when I got the opportunity, I started the IT consulting company where all are welcome. We focus on your talent and your skills that you bring, not who you are, not who is the person bringing the talent and skill. Just the resume. The focus is just a resume. And we provide IT consulting services all over United States and Canada, and we are hoping to expand as much as we can.

Lee Kantor: Now, I’ve done a lot of work interviewing folks, especially females in IT, and they tell a similar story that like they’re the only ones when they were getting into it, and it was kind of lonely getting into it. Do you have any kind of theories about why that is? Why there are so few women in IT?

Neetu Sadhwani: I think it’s such a male dominated industry. Not as much as it used to be. But let’s say you walk into an office and you are asking for the CEO, your first instinct is this guy is going to walk in to the room and he’s going to introduce himself. Very rarely you would see a female walk in. And that had happened to me because my name doesn’t tell you what gender I am, right? So, when you are looking at me, too, you can’t put me in a box yet. But if I was to talk to a John, you know a guy is going to walk in.

Neetu Sadhwani: But if you see my name and you see me coming in, there is a little taboo still there, because I still don’t think that we are ready for a woman leadership to society yet. I’m not saying I’m the only one. And I’m sure everybody you’ve spoken with, like you said, has seen or experienced a similar experience that I have when you, as a female, working especially in IT. I think we have to try a little harder to prove because we don’t get credit. Our managers would get credit, right?

Neetu Sadhwani: Because when I was a consultant, I would work and, obviously I wasn’t the manager yet, so when the work was done, I’m sending it out to the manager, and the manager is proposing the whole project. And guess what? He’s the one who’s getting the pat on the back and then kudos and thumbs ups, and whatnot. But, you know, my name is not there. And at least I felt that way, that it was because me being a female, me being an immigrant at that time, that hindered a lot of growth and opportunity.

Lee Kantor: Now, when you were young and you were going through school, were you noticing that at some point there were less females and you were one of a handful of females? Like at some point, females are kind of self-selecting out of these classes that you need to be successful in IT.

Neetu Sadhwani: Yes and no. So, I grew up and went to school in India. I came here when I was ready to go to workforce. And coming from a business entrepreneur family, my dad had a huge business, I always helped him in the accounting, and whatnot, so I knew what I was capable of. But when I came here to United States, it was a little different scene. Even though in India, they still call it underdeveloped nations, and whatnot. But I saw there were actually more females in my school than there were males.

Neetu Sadhwani: And when I came here, I did go to school for a couple of refreshers, and whatnot, yes, I was mostly surrounded by males, whether it was an accounting class, whether it was an Oracle class, or be it the project management course or the business analyst course. Everywhere I went, it was mainly males around me.

Lee Kantor: So then, after you went through that, did you always work on your own or did you work for an organization and then split off on your own?

Neetu Sadhwani: I did work for an organization because I had to. When I was allowed to or when I was free to leave my organization, that’s the first thing I did, I started my own company. But it was still full of challenges being a female business owner, especially in IT, because IT industry is so much segregated – or not segregated – saturated already, and if you bring in a female in IT and from India, I think everybody’s like, “Oh. We have seen it all.” It’s nothing special. Like you can all do the same thing. But I think we all have our different strengths, and different skills, and different niche that we all bring in the game.

Lee Kantor: So, what’s the differentiator for Sunrise? What makes you special and different?

Neetu Sadhwani: What makes me special and different is – and everybody will say that, but I truly mean it when I say it – it’s the quality of the service that you’re going to get. Because I’m a small company, right? Every client is a big client for me. So, the kind of attention, the kind of focus the customer gets from me, you’re not going to get it. It’s unparalleled.

Neetu Sadhwani: So, when you come to me as a customer, my focus is just on Lee Kantor right now. Like, how do I make sure that Lee is getting the best of the best qualities, best of the best services from me. From other companies, they might just give you an account manager. But in the beginning, I personally get involved and I bring in my partner with me, and we both are just focused on what you want to do.

Neetu Sadhwani: We have a proprietary method of not just screening the candidates. We select them. We prepare them if they need any certificates that the client is looking for. We happily pay for their certificates. We happily pay for their trainings, and whatnot, that the client is asking for. Every service that you get from me, it’s customized and tailored to the client’s need.

Neetu Sadhwani: And I started my company as a project management consulting company because that’s what I was in my previous life. So, I really wanted to focus on what I do best, and very proudly, I can say 98 percent of my projects have been successful within budget, within the timeline that I had provided to the client. So, I think that’s my biggest differentiator.

Lee Kantor: And then, now you’ve expanded into staffing?

Neetu Sadhwani: Now we expanded into staffing. So, once we started our project management consulting, project management is just not run by project manager. You kind of need the entire team to have a successful project. And the client would be like, “Can you please bring in more people?” And then, I would say yes, because I’m not going to say no to a new business. So, I started bringing in more people and that’s how the staffing and the rest of the IT arm grown as we were expanding, and we haven’t stopped since.

Lee Kantor: Now, is there any maybe advice you can share when it comes to staffing? Like IT staffing probably has a negative unemployment rate, right? People aren’t just unemployed waiting to look for a job. They’re usually at a job and they’re switching to a new job. Is that accurate? First, that’s my hypothesis.

Neetu Sadhwani: Yes and no, both. A lot of us are very happy where we are, and a lot of us are always looking for new challenges, new technologies and new growth. Sometimes a move from a different state can trigger new job searches also. So, it just depends on what that individual is looking for.

Neetu Sadhwani: The job market is pretty good. It’s actually spiking, especially in IT, I would say especially IT staffing, because every day you wake up there is a new technology, there is a new way to solve a problem. And we all are just wanting to do that, wanting to solve problems for our clients that they are facing. And the new technologies that we are seeing every day, that’s going to just bring in new jobs. And the job market is actually getting better when it comes to IT.

Lee Kantor: Now, what’s something that a person that’s looking or maybe, you know, is getting frustrated where they’re at or they were curious about what’s out there, what’s the best way for an IT professional to get on your radar so you notice them, so you reach out to them to say, “Hey, here’s a new opportunity”? Like, what do they have to do to be an attractive candidate for you? What can they be doing? What action steps could they be doing to stand out?

Neetu Sadhwani: So, follow me on LinkedIn. My profile is out there, Neetu Sadhwani. Follow the LinkedIn page of my company, Sunrise Group Inc. on LinkedIn. We post our jobs regularly on our LinkedIn page and on our careers page. I can drop in my phone number, 949-331-3678. My email is my first name, Neetu, N-double E-T-U, @sunrisegroupinc.com. Send us your resume. Try and make an appointment with us. Email me, and then I will happily give you 15 minutes to get to know you better, get to see what your objectives are, what your goals are when you’re looking for a new job.

Neetu Sadhwani: Or if there are any challenges, or if there is any new technology that you’re interested in and you’re wanting to step your foot in there, I’m going to try my best to help you, because that’s what I’m here for. I’m trying to help my clients solve their problem, and at the same time, I’m helping people find new jobs.

Lee Kantor: Now, in today’s job market, is having kind of, like you said, the latest certifications or experience and the latest softwares carry as much weight as maybe a college degree did at like an Ivy League school? Like what’s more important to today’s employers, knowing and having experience with the latest technology or have graduated from some college?

Neetu Sadhwani: Oh, that’s a tough and good question. If you are newly graduated, I think you already have a good understanding and the knowledge of new technology. But definitely, I think experience helped. And there are companies, there are clients who are wanting to hire, like, really freshly graduated people also. And there are clients who are looking for very well seasoned and well experienced candidates. So, I think depending on the client’s need.

Neetu Sadhwani: But I would say the education definitely helps. And sometimes people who have been in the market who did not just graduate, who’ve been in the industry for as long as they have, I think their experience also counts a lot. Because there is no better teacher than experience because you are in the workforce already, you know how to deal with the team, how to work with the team, and if you have to lead something and things like that. I think it’s a mix of both. But there is tons of opportunity for freshly graduate with special technologies like AI and machine learning, and whatnot, every day, I think the world is just full of endless opportunities.

Lee Kantor: Now, you mentioned AI and machine learning, obviously that’s getting all the headlines today, and every company has put budget towards that in some form or fashion, it seems. Are those some of the challenges with the businesses you’re working with? Are some of that kind of digital transformation that maybe it’s a good idea to hire an expert like you that has a lot more resources than probably a lot of individual firms?

Neetu Sadhwani: Absolutely. Because I think with having an expert like ours, we know we are keeping ourselves up to date with the new technologies and new AIs that you see every day. We have experts in the industry. And I work with various different verticals. We work with utilities, banking, automotive and so on. So, having those experts in-house, I think that definitely gives us an upper hand of having the tools and technology in our belt. So, it definitely will help the client bringing in an expert.

Neetu Sadhwani: Digital transformation is something that we’ve been working for quite some time now. Especially after COVID, I think that just became such a new norm in every company, whether you’re small or whether you are Fortune 500, Fortune 100. So, we have experts who can help you. We have talent that can definitely come and solve that digital transformation or digitization or AI or moving to this new digital world, for sure.

Lee Kantor: Now, is there a sweet spot when it comes to your clients? Are they those super large enterprise level, Fortune 500, 100 companies, or are they mid-market? Are they industry agnostic? Like, do you have kind of a sweet spot where you work primarily?

Neetu Sadhwani: I don’t discriminate by the size. So, I have companies who have five employees and I’ve helped them find the right IT people that they needed for their growth, for their digital transformation. And I have Fortune 100 clients that I help with. So, no size is too big or too small for us. Like I said, being a small company, we are such a customer-centric or client-centric focused company that we can help with anybody.

Neetu Sadhwani: And especially with new technologies, IT, it’s a need for everyone. I’m sure you use IT. And then, if you were to go to a huge company, Big Fortune 500, Fortune 100 company also, we all need IT. So, no size is too small when it comes to the client. But we do work a lot with utility companies all across U.S. We have automotive clients here in Orange County in Texas. We have financial industries back here in Orange County. And the list is just so long. So, regardless of the vertical or the industry or the size, we can help anybody.

Lee Kantor: Now, is there a story you can share? Don’t name the name of the organization, but maybe share the problem they came to you with and how you were able to help them solve it and get to a new level.

Neetu Sadhwani: I won’t name the names right now. But during COVID, everybody was wanting to work remotely because you couldn’t go on site, but there is a lot of IT you can do remotely. I remember there was a client in Orange County and they were looking for a network hardware engineer. And hardware is not something that you’re going to get it done from work. You have to go in. You have to get your hands dirty. You have to go in the server rooms and fix the cables, and whatnot. And this client reached out to us.

Neetu Sadhwani: And mind you, I’ve been wanting to work with this client for so many years, and I’ve been in touch with them, building the relationship, nurturing, and whatnot. And all of a sudden I get this very short email that I need a network engineer who can come to the office, and this is what they’re supposed to do.

Neetu Sadhwani: And I’m like, this is COVID. Nobody’s wanting to go there, and whatnot. But with my recruitment team, I got my hands in, and then we were all looking for the right person. And I literally was thinking that I just need to find a unicorn. And I think in almost three-and-a-half days, we found somebody. Not only that they had to go on site, they had to go get vaccinated as well because it was just such – we all remember what COVID was like, so I think that success story, even though it was just a network hardware engineer, but to me, I still get the email from the client saying that if you can do this, you can find me this also. So, I think we have spoiled them by finding them that unicorn that nobody was able to find them, and that person is still there working for them and he has grown and he has been promoted so many times.

Lee Kantor: Wow, that’s such a great story. You must have been so happy at the outcome. And, also, that’s a great example of when someone gives you a chance and then you deliver, then you know that becomes a customer for life potentially.

Neetu Sadhwani: Absolutely. And I think that’s where the small businesses stand out, because for us, no matter how big the client is, no matter how big or small their ask is, I think we are so ready to provide the service that you’re looking for and to prove that, yes, we can do it. I think that just makes you want to – you know, it should make you want to work with small businesses more than ever.

Lee Kantor: Now, why was it important for you to become part of the WBEC-West community? What did you hope to get out of it and what have you gotten out of it?

Neetu Sadhwani: So, to be very honest, I’ve been in business since 2008, and I only got certified in, I believe, it was in 2020. And thanks to one of my clients, they were the ones who requested. And to this day, I still kick myself like why didn’t I get certified before. It is such an amazing community of people that I belong to. I’m actually on the WBEC-West Board of Orange County.

Neetu Sadhwani: And I think it’s just so much support that you get there. When you are down, it’s like when you share your struggles, you don’t feel like I’m the only one who’s going through this. You share so much stories that people will share. They share their losses. They share their wins, their struggles, and whatnot.

Neetu Sadhwani: And I think certification is definitely a feather on the head that it shouldn’t be the one that should differentiate you, but sometimes it does matter. When you talk to big companies, they’re like, okay, if you are certified, then definitely there is an opportunity. And then, the moment you throw in yes, I am WBENC certified, I think that just gives you that extra brownie points or added points that, yes, they’re wanting to work with you. Being part of this amazing community, I think, I have met some amazing people that I’m going to be in touch for the rest of my life.

Neetu Sadhwani: I have genuinely made some amazing friendships, and we meet, we talk, and we share. And a couple of them are in the same industry, but we don’t see each other as competitors. We see each other as somebody that I want to join force with sooner or later to see how we can win big.

Neetu Sadhwani: So, definitely, a lot of camaraderie, a lot of support, and the educational opportunities they have provided. Especially for me, I think that has been really helpful. Being in business for so long, I think I learned more about my own business when I’m going through these trainings and the opportunities that WBENC has provided, WBEC-West has provided. I think they are just something that one should definitely experience if they want to grow and they want to understand their own business better than they have already.

Lee Kantor: Now, do you have any advice for the aspiring entrepreneur, especially the women that are looking to break into tech and consulting? Is there any kind of do’s and don’ts that you would recommend?

Neetu Sadhwani: Yes. I would say, embrace the resilience. Don’t be afraid to ask for support. Myself, as an immigrant and women-owned business, I think I’ve learned a lot that growth requires a lot of perseverance and a lot of networking. I used to be very shy when it came to networking. I would stand in the corner and I would wait for people to come and talk to me. But, you know, being part of this certificate, I’ve learned so much the importance of networking, of meeting people, finding yourself good mentors, and then mentors who will align with your passion, your values, I think that is so important.

Neetu Sadhwani: And, also, I feel like as a business owner, especially as a small business owner, we are always saying yes to everything that comes our way. But we need to be very intentional. We need to be very intentional about who we are partnering with, intentional about setting boundaries and what truly moves the needle to your business because you can’t be just saying yes to everything. Just be resilient. Don’t be afraid of saying no. Not every answer has to be yes for everybody. We don’t have to say yes to everything.

Lee Kantor: And if somebody wants to learn more about your work, what’s the best way to connect? What’s a website?

Neetu Sadhwani: The website is www.sunrisegroupinc.com. There is a whole page where you can leave a comment, leave a question. And one of us will personally reply to your questions. We don’t use bots to chat with people. One of my team members will get back to you. And if it’s a high level question, I will personally reply to you. But, yeah, do visit our website, connect with us on LinkedIn page, Sunrise Group Inc. Connect with me on LinkedIn, I’m more than happy to connect and answer any questions that you have and help you in whatever way I can.

Lee Kantor: Well, thank you so much for sharing your story today. You’re doing important work and we appreciate you.

Neetu Sadhwani: Thank you.

Lee Kantor: All right. This is Lee Kantor, we’ll see you all next time on Women In Motion.