Oct. 6, 2025

Building the ‘Zillow of Franchising’ with Mariyam Shamshidova of Wefranch Women in Tech New York

In this inspiring episode of the Women in Tech podcast, host Espree Devora sits down with Mariyam Shamshidova, a dynamic growth and product lead at Wefranch. Hailing from Uzbekistan and now based in New York, Mariyam shares her unique journey of moving to the U.S. for college, finding her calling at the intersection of technology and franchising, and what it truly means to build something meaningful from scratch. Mariyam opens up about the challenges and rewards of working with early-stage startups, the stigma and opportunity within franchising for women and young entrepreneurs, and how building confidence in lesser-known industries can be a powerful career advantage. She also discusses the importance of believing in your own potential, the realities of balancing ambition with well-being, and actionable networking and growth strategies for anyone breaking into tech. Whether you're aspiring to start your own business, interested in unconventional career paths, or looking to be inspired by someone who's been there and done it on her own terms, this episode is packed with honest insights, empowering advice, and plenty of “If she can do it, so can I” moments!

Show Notes

Women in Tech Podcast: Mariyam Shamshidova
Wefranch US tour: https://tour.wefranch.com/signup/los-angeles-2

Host: Espree Devora
Guest: Mariyam Shamshidova (Growth & Product Lead, Wefranch)
Location: Lighthouse Studio, Venice, CA
Episode Theme: Navigating Entrepreneurship, Franchising, and Building Purposeful Careers in Tech

Key Topics & Highlights

Mariyam’s Journey: From Uzbekistan to Vanderbilt to NYC startup life.
What is Wefranch? Making franchising accessible with data-driven tools, and what being the “Zillow of franchising” means.
The Power of Franchising: Debunking myths, its accessibility for young founders and creators, and why it’s an untapped lucrative opportunity.
Early-Stage Startup Life: The reality of multi-tasking, learning on the go, and finding confidence without a big brand name.
Purpose & Success: Redefining success beyond status, and staying connected to your “why.”
Women & Belief: The importance of self-belief, especially for women in tech, and breaking mental models that keep women from applying for opportunities.
Event Building & Community: Mariyam’s hands-on tactics for event marketing and growth – from local connectors to personalized outreach.
Personal Growth: Lessons from Charlie Munger, advice on prioritization, and finding mentorship in unexpected places.

Resources & Recommendations

Company: Wefranch.com – Marketplace for franchising opportunities
Recommended Book: Poor Charlie’s Almanack by Charlie Munger
Must-Follow Thought Leader: Paul Graham (Y Combinator essays)
Past Relevant Episode: WeAreLATech podcast with Wefranch founder Gregory Ugwi

Favorite Quotes

“In order to do anything, you must believe that the thing is possible.”
“It’s not about the magazine cover — it’s about how you feel in your body every day.”
“If she can do it, so can I.”