Sheila Burkett: From Corporate Tech to Racing Cars and Digital Innovation

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum sits down with Sheila Burkett, a tech entrepreneur whose background spans finance, racing, historic redevelopment, and digital innovation. Sheila’s career started at Edward Jones, where she advanced from intern to general partner, gaining insight into technology and leadership along the way. Sheila went on to co-found Spry Digital, leveraging open-source technology to empower small and medium-sized businesses with the digital solutions they develop

Sheila’s journey illustrates how embracing risk, nurturing resilience, and championing innovation can lead to opportunity and impact. Sheila is also a vocal advocate for women in technology, emphasizing the critical role of confidence-building and community support to foster inclusion in STEM.

Topics Explored:

1. Career Transitions – How Sheila navigated major career shifts, from Edward Jones executive to race car entrepreneur and digital agency founder.
2. Importance of Open Source – Sheila discusses why open-source software is vital for empowering businesses and leveling the competitive playing field.
3. Leadership and Learning – Key moments and philosophies that shaped Sheila’s approach to leadership and continuous learning.
4. Resilience in Entrepreneurship – Sheila’s insights into embracing failure, nurturing innovation, and maintaining transparency during challenging times.
5. Women in Technology – Barriers, misconceptions, and Sheila’s advocacy for greater inclusion and confidence-building for young women in STEM.
6. Systems and Culture – How Sheila applies her technology and marketing expertise to build efficient operational systems and positive workplace cultures.

Links:

• Sheila Burkett on LinkedIn: Visit linkedin.com
• Spry Digital: Visit sprydigital.com
• Crystal: Visit crystalknows.com
• National Center for Women & Information Technology: Visit ncwit.org
• Dream Hoarders by Richard Reeves: Visit amzn.to
• Andy Bales’ episode: View the related episode
• Kimberly Beckley’s episode: View the related episode

Key takeaways

• Career reinvention depends on calculated risk, resilience, and a willingness to keep learning.
• Open-source technology can give smaller organizations greater control and a more level competitive field.
• Inclusive technology cultures are built through confidence, community, transparent leadership, and intentional systems.

Questions this conversation answers

• How did Sheila Burkett move from financial services into racing and digital entrepreneurship?
• Why does open-source technology matter to small and midsize businesses?
• What does productive risk-taking look like during a career transition?
• How can leaders create resilient and transparent organizations?
• What helps more women build confidence and remain in technology careers?

Continue listening

If this conversation was useful, continue with Rich M. Smith: Why Most Marketing Fails Before the Campaign Starts.

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Questions or guest ideas? Contact Eric