Carmen Lincolne, on a mission to connect global tech talent with technical opportunities that drive growth and innovation.
Helping startups build tech teams without borders is my passion—there’s truly nothing else I’d rather pour my time, energy, and skills into. But there are many things I wish I’d known before starting Ivy Tech. Some lessons, however, I’m glad I learned along the way, or I may never have started the journey at all!
Since launching Ivy Tech in 2018, here are my four biggest takeaways:
1. Your business will flourish or wither with the people you hire
My biggest failures have been hiring the wrong people. Each time I ignored my gut feeling, thinking the company couldn’t survive without them. In both cases, things thrived only after I finally let them go. Lesson learned: check references, listen to your instincts, use OKRs to measure performance, and remember—no one is irreplaceable. I wish I’d known my company would be just fine without them!
2. Nothing is ever as bad as it first seems
Ivy has been through crises, from frozen bank accounts at payroll time to an employee running a competing business and the upheaval of the Ukraine war. None of it broke us. Each situation pushed me to become stronger and more resilient, reinforcing my team’s trust and creativity. I wish I’d known how strong I was—I would have slept better!
3. You can have it all, but not at the same time
Running a business while raising two young children isn’t easy. I used to feel guilty, but hearing Michelle Obama say, “You can have it all but not at the same time,” has become my mantra. Now, I let myself be fully present, whether it’s building Duplo with my kids or strategising at work. I wish I’d known that even a thriving business can wait sometimes.
4. Your networks ARE your net worth
Every connection I’ve made—from friends to business contacts—has been invaluable. Most of Ivy Tech’s clients come from personal connections. My networking advice? Be authentic, ask intriguing questions, and keep notes on people. And find genuine communities, like OPUS, that support your goals. I only wish I’d understood the power of networks sooner. Joining OPUS three years ago would’ve been a game-changer!
