Don’t stalk competitors. A business partner had told me that back in 2008. Of course I’m paraphrasing it to simplify it! But the crux of the sentiment was during a discussion about another company (who later acquired the company we were at), the CEO said “ I don’t follow our competitors, it impedes my own progress”. What I took from that is there is a lot to be said for remaining true to your vision and not allowing it to be diluted by outside influences which may not fit your business model or customer base.
As a part of our series about women who are shaking things up in their industry, I had the pleasure of interviewing Allyson E. Cote.
After twenty award winning years in the Saas and Med-tech space with acclaimed startups, Allyson has decided to pioneer into the skilled trades. She’s now a Woman Machinist and Welder who is poised to disrupt a male dominated industry.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
I have had an incredibly diverse career since I started my entrepreneurial journey. Although, I definitely was a “late bloomer” having worked for large technology companies as a Systems Analyst during my twenties and early thirties. I felt I needed a challenge without a defined set of expectations, and launching a startup definitely shifts you into high gear. I have spent the better part of the last two decades in the Health & Wellness and Global Public Health spaces. It was very rewarding work, and I was fortunate to garner a good amount of recognition for my work in media such as Forbes, Mashable, NPR and others. When the Pandemic really hit home in the US back in early 2020, I totally shifted my focus to finding Public Health solutions for my community. COVID19 took an enormous toll on businesses, schools, and families. I lost my Father due to COVID related pneumonia and was determined to turn that loss into something inspiring.
Can you tell our readers what it is about the work you’re doing that’s disruptive?
In my experience, sometimes it’s the twists you really didn’t anticipate that are the most interesting. My company, OSS, LP, emerged as a designer and producer of great innovations like the only fully fire-code and ADA compliant heavy duty dining igloos. We’re also working on the development of a new air filtration system with UMASS Dartmouth, my Alma-mater, who has been remarkable to work with.
I did notice though, that despite my CV, I wasn’t always being taken seriously by manufacturers I was working with. Also, the pandemic severely shrunk the skilled-trades workforce here in RI, and there simply aren’t enough trained people for the amount of work. Rather than continue to be pushed to the back of the line, or taken advantage of by materials suppliers, I enrolled in a Machinist Training Program at the New England Institute of Technology in collaboration with a State agency Polaris MEP (Manufacturers Extension Program). I graduated after full time on-site class participation in July of 2022. I’m also doing a Welding Apprenticeship with an incredibly talented local small business in Tiverton, RI. After that, I’ll be dabbling in 3D printing, too!
My focus has now been influenced and refined in the wake of my experience with a dual objective. I realized how underrepresented women and minorities are in these vocations. I’d like to help change that. Plans for the future involve creating a collaborative workspace and learning facility to engage with these populations, and offer them a different career trajectory than they might have considered viable.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
There’s almost too many to list! I could say nearly accidentally self-immolating recently but that is only funny in hindsight to me. Yes, one of my funniest stories involves double checking and rechecking your work before you hit submit! My business partner and I from my last company Maternova were trying to win a contest sponsored by, I believe, Fedex. We had to include photos of our field partners. At the time we were working in several middle income countries to save the lives of Mothers and newborns. We clicked submit, confident after an exhaustive application process we would emerge victorious. Not this time, though. It turned out, we had accidentally uploaded a photo of a random stock image! Making things worse, the people in the photo saw it online. Apparently the global public health space is much smaller than we had expected. After realizing our incredible fumble, all we could say was “ We’re sorry we do not, in reality, have a Laotian field team!”. It was a lesson to both of us that your enthusiasm has to be tempered with a good amount of restraint. Needless to say, we did not win. But, looking back it will always make me laugh. The key takeaway is few things in life are permanent, except the Submit button.
We all need a little help along the journey. Who have been some of your mentors? Can you share a story about how they made an impact?
There have been so many people who have influenced and mentored me, it’s tough to list them all. First, I have been blessed to work with those I consider ‘Giants’ in their fields. My CoFounders are all highly respected innovators in their fields. I believe in keeping a counsel of Advisors as well. I work with a team of Mentors through RI Hub, and also my Sustainability Advisor at GoViably. OSS recently earned our Certificate of Sustainability this past Spring. It’s very core to my mission to practice ethical sourcing and reduce our consumption of resources as strategically as possible. I’m investigating the newest ‘Green Welding’ practices now to implement moving forward.
In today’s parlance, being disruptive is usually a positive adjective. But is disrupting always good? When do we say the converse, that a system or structure has ‘withstood the test of time’? Can you articulate to our readers when disrupting an industry is positive, and when disrupting an industry is ‘not so positive’? Can you share some examples of what you mean?
I think it’s always good in the sense it catalyzes conversation. Change usually occurs when people are either made aware or uncomfortable about a given situation. On a positive note, trying to disrupt a heavily male dominated industry is inherently positive because of the ripple effects on productivity and progress. Rosie the Riveter has endured as an icon for Women’s empowerment for decades. But it’s definitely time to move it from the pop-art world into reality.
Can you share 3 of the best words of advice you’ve gotten along your journey? Please give a story or example for each.
Yes, don’t stalk competitors. A business partner had told me that back in 2008. Of course I’m paraphrasing it to simplify it! But the crux of the sentiment was during a discussion about another company (who later acquired the company we were at), the CEO said “ I don’t follow our competitors, it impedes my own progress”. What I took from that is there is a lot to be said for remaining true to your vision and not allowing it to be diluted by outside influences which may not fit your business model or customer base.
We are sure you aren’t done. How are you going to shake things up next?
That’s an excellent question! I’ve shifted a lot of my focus from simply inventing and manufacturing towards wanting to do more to engage with the community. I have been given a rare opportunity to see more sides of our business ecosystem, having just been in immersive training for an entirely unexpected skill set. There is a huge gap in addressing viable career paths for women, immigrants, and those re-entering the workforce after being released from incarceration. There’s several new initiatives offering employment in both the private and public sectors, but there are also a strict set of criteria candidates must satisfy (i.e.: Minimum security versus Medium/Maximum security). My work to date has put me in the rare position of being an effective evangelist for these marginalized populations.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges faced by ‘women disruptors’ that aren’t typically faced by their male counterparts?
Finally, an easy question to answer! I would immediately offer the challenge of ‘labeling’ your disruptive work or efforts. It’s become a bit repetitive that I am constantly referred to as a “Badass” because of the new skills I am trying to perfect. I can comfortably say that it’s a safe assumption no men are being referred to with stereotypes if they pursue goals outside of the traditional gender norms. I know it’s meant in a positive light, but in my opinion, I’m not being a “badass”, I’m being authentic. We should be more open to celebrating the risk takers who fall outside our usual silos.
Do you have a book/podcast/talk that’s had a deep impact on your thinking? Can you share a story with us?
I’m always listening to or reading something, but I jump around a lot! I try to digest my intake in small bites so fifteen minute podcasts are fantastic. I really like The Accidental Creative, and The Daily Boost. I belong to an amazing women entrepreneurs group, Dreamers & Doers. I try to take advantage of all of their educational sessions when I can.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I’m really into the sustainability mindset the past few years. I would have to say encouraging other entrepreneurs and people in general to review their current consumption or resources, and their business practices. In the pursuit of success, it’s easy to go with the easiest option for production. While that may be the most profitable, it’s often not the mark you ultimately want to make. With the impact of climate control mounting a formidable challenge, it’s a legacy of conscious business I’d like to leave and encourage. The good news is that I’m part of a very large movement in that direction. The other movement would be directed at encouraging everyone to be willing to reinvent yourself without fear. It’s a mindset which has allowed me to live several lifetimes in this one. I’m excited for what comes next!
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Everything you want is on the other side of fear” by Jack Canfield. I love it because it reminds us that sometimes you just have to forge ahead, and overthinking any situation can sabotage your progress. I know that caution is an admirable trait to implement in good measure, however, in my experience fortune really does favor the bold.
How can our readers follow you online?
@oceanstateshields on Instagram is definitely the easiest
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
Female Disruptors: Allyson E Cote On The Three Things You Need To Shake Up Your Industry was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.