Kap on "Building Your Village" | Kapehe Sevilleja at Laracon US 2024 in Dallas, TX

Summary

Cape shares her heartfelt journey through personal struggles and professional growth, highlighting the significance of finding a supportive community. From the challenges of feeling isolated in her early career to discovering the Laravel community, Cape discusses how building connections, both personal and professional, can ignite one’s potential. The story of her transformation, overcoming adversity, and finding belonging in the Laravel Village exemplifies the power of empathy, shared knowledge, and collaboration in fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.

Takeaways

• 😀 Aloha is a key theme in the speaker's journey, symbolizing warmth and connection with the Laravel community.
• 😀 The speaker shares personal experiences of growth and challenges, particularly around feeling 'small' and 'alone' but overcoming those obstacles with the help of a supportive community.
• 😀 The concept of 'villages' is central to the speaker’s story, illustrating the importance of support systems in both personal and professional life.
• 😀 The speaker describes her journey from a difficult and toxic work environment to finding a fulfilling career in web development, highlighting the importance of finding the right 'village'.
• 😀 The Laravel community, referred to as 'The Village', is celebrated for its inclusivity, kindness, and support for diversity, especially underrepresented groups in web development.
• 😀 The speaker highlights significant milestones in the Laravel community, such as the creation of Laravel News, the first Laravel event (LaRon), and the launch of Laracasts.
• 😀 Despite facing personal and professional hardships, including sexual harassment and feeling trapped in a toxic environment, the speaker found solace and support through the Laravel community.
• 😀 The 'flame' metaphor is used throughout to represent the individual's personal energy and passion, which can either grow or diminish depending on the environments and relationships one is in.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of intentionality in creating safe, supportive spaces within tech communities, where members can thrive and grow their 'flames'.
• 😀 The speaker concludes with a call to action, urging individuals to reflect on how their actions impact others' flames and to contribute to the growth of their own village by being supportive and encouraging.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speaker's story?

The speaker shares a deeply personal journey about finding strength and support in various 'villages'—both personal and professional. The main theme revolves around the importance of community, support, and growth in overcoming life's challenges.

How did the speaker describe their first 'village'?

The speaker's first 'village' was their family, which consisted of their mom, dad, and five siblings. They lived in a small house in Hawaii, and despite frequently moving, their family remained a constant source of support.

What challenges did the speaker face in their early career?

The speaker faced significant challenges such as being a diversity hire, experiencing bullying, harassment, and being made a scapegoat at work. Additionally, they dealt with sexual harassment and a lack of support when reporting these issues.

How did Laravel play a role in the speaker's journey?

Laravel became an integral part of the speaker's professional life. It represented a community and a support system where the speaker found acceptance and connection. The Laravel Village provided a space for learning, growth, and ultimately a career transition.

What was the speaker's career before transitioning into web development?

Before transitioning into web development, the speaker worked as a flight attendant. This career allowed them to travel the world but also led to feelings of loneliness due to the transient nature of the job and limited interaction with the same people.

What prompted the speaker to pursue a career change in 2017?

In 2017, after experiencing traumatic incidents, such as being physically threatened and attacked by passengers while on duty, the speaker decided to leave their job as a flight attendant. This led them to enroll in a coding boot camp and pursue a career in web development.

What was the significance of the speaker's experience with Scotch.io?

Scotch.io played a crucial role in the speaker's transition into web development. The resources provided by Scotch.io were part of the learning process after the speaker graduated from their coding boot camp, helping them further their skills and connect with the developer community.

How does the speaker describe the 'Laravel Village' in 2019?

In 2019, the Laravel Village was described as a supportive and stable community where developers felt safe to build, share, and grow. It was a year of significant growth for Laravel, with the introduction of tools like Inertia and LiveWire, which became widely adopted in Laravel applications.

What does the speaker mean by the concept of a 'good village'?

A 'good village' refers to a community that supports and nurtures individuals, allowing them to grow. The speaker emphasizes that in a good village, one's flame—representing personal growth and potential—should be fueled, not smothered. This includes a work environment, friendships, and family.

What advice does the speaker offer to those feeling stuck or alone?

The speaker encourages those feeling stuck or alone to search for a supportive community, emphasizing the importance of finding a good 'village.' They advise individuals to fight for an environment where their well-being and personal growth are prioritized.