Entrepreneur Spotlight: Steffie Harner
STEFFIE HARNER
Tokyo-based Software Engineer & Model
I’m Steffie Harner, software developer, freelance model and entrepreneur based in Tokyo, Japan. In 2017, I co-founded Startup Lady Japan, a community and mentorship service that supports female entrepreneurship in the Tokyo Area.
I was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I grew up back and forth between Manila, Philippines and California. I am a dual citizen of the Philippines and the United States. I am technically a first-generation American, but because of my upbringing, I feel culturally somewhere in between Filipino and Filpino-American.
WHY DID YOU MOVE TO JAPAN?
Photo in Kabukicho, Shinjuku taken and edited by @akiraharigae.
It was always my childhood dream to live in Japan. You could say I’m a typical 90’s American otaku. After working in San Francisco health tech industry for 4+ years, I had a sour taste in my mouth about the Silicon Valley culture. I thought to escape the tech scene and fled to Tokyo with no job lined up and no plans.
Taking the risk to move Tokyo was the start of this incredible journey and one of the best decisions I have ever made.
The irony is now as a software engineer, I’m deeper into tech than I ever was.
how did you get started modeling?
I did a couple of modeling jobs in the Philippines during my teenage years, but I didn’t quite find my passion for it until I moved to Tokyo. Instagram allowed me to connect with other creatives, I began modeling more, then decided I wanted to take more creative initiative. I began doing conceptual photoshoots and incorporating dystopian and fantasy themes from animations and anime that influenced me growing up.
I love the freedom in self-expression and storytelling that can be produced through the combination of modeling, photography and post-processing. I love being more involved with the whole creative process ー it’s quite fulfilling.
HOW DID YOU START STARTUP LADY JAPAN?
I never had any intentions of becoming an entrepreneur. I didn’t think I had it in me. But, when my friend (now co-founder) Amee Xu asked me if I could help her with a video project that would promote female entrepreneurs, I said, sure. Passionate about female entrepreneurship and social justice — I was 100% on board.
Startup Lady Co-Founders (Steffie Harner, Koko Sato, Moeko Suzuki, Amee Xu) at Women Entrepreneur Night in Ryozan Park, Tokyo, Japan.
This small video project turned into a weekly meeting at Pier’s Cafe in Shinjuku with Moeko Suzuki and Koko Sato.
Just sat and talking about ideas. We drafted a logo, made a Meetups page and Facebook page and started planning events, gathering speakers, and before I knew it - Startup Lady Japan project and community was born and thriving.
how did you get into software development?
While I was looking for female speakers for Startup Lady Japan events, I came across Yan Fan, CTO of Tokyo-based coding bootcamp called Code Chrysalis. I’d like to think I’m an open minded person, but seeing her in-front of my eyes broke my subconscious stereotype of what a “software engineer” is. Hearing her story inspired me to try this coding thing out too, and maybe inspire other girls to be curious about technical fields who wouldn’t be otherwise. I haven’t looked back since.
Stop saying to yourself, “I’m not good enough. This isn’t good enough.”
Any progress is good enoughーYou are already good enough. Keep trying and failing and you’ll only get better.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE ABOUT BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR?
There is so much work that goes behind building your personal business, behind every public-facing event, project, application, and venture. I spend 90% of my hours awake working on projects for Code Chrysalis, Startup Lady Japan, freelance modeling and my personal creative passions. The hustle never stops.
The hardest thing for me, is facing feelings of impostor syndrome and burnout. I feel them often. When I caught myself in negative-self talk, I make sure to stop what I’m doing, and take an hour to myself to recharge.
But the thing that keeps me motivated to grind is the amazing community that Startup Lady has given to me. We know have an amazing team of staff, volunteers, and interns who are driven, passionate and hardworking. Their support keeps me sane and productive.
The Startup Lady Team with Megumi Iguchi, CEO of Kanatta at Startup Lady Night.
What is SOME advice you'd give TO A FUTURE entrepreneur?
Be resilient, and keep sharing your passions and accomplishments. Stop saying to yourself “I’m not good enough. It’s not good enough.” You’re wrong. Progress is progress and you are good enough. Share your hard work online. It is not bragging, this is creating the opportunity to inspire and share your passions with the world.
You will be surprised how easily this attracts people who share the same passions as you. You will be surprised by who you will inspire to do the same things you’re doing. You will be surprised with how much you’ll learn and grow and become the person you thought you never could.
Follow Steffie Harner on:
Instagram: instagram.com/steffieharner
Twitter: twitter.com/steffieharner
Youtube: youtube.com/steffieharner
TikTok: tiktok.com/@steffieharner