March is Women’s History Month, and every year, we’re reminded to take the time to consider just how much women have contributed to the world we experience today – and how much they may have gone through to make it possible.
At Butler Technologies, we’re proud to be women-founded and to have women make up more than half of our workforce.
Nadine Tripodi, Founder, Butler Technologies, Inc.
Butler Technologies, Inc. was co-founded by Nadine Tripodi in 1990. Over the past 30 years, Nadine oversaw BTI’s beginning as a printing brokerage firm and its transformation into an expert Printed Electronics Solutions provider. BTI’s success over the years is in large part thanks to the vision Nadine and her co-founder, William Darney, sought to nurture over the decades. This vision helped differentiate BTI from its manufacturing counterparts and transform into a future-thinking firm. With the additions of our Proof of Concept Development, Prototyping, and R&D activities, BTI was made capable of seeing projects through from that first spark of an idea in someone’s head, all the way to it landing in the customer’s hands. “Never allow yourself to assume your success or lack of success is due to your gender,” she advises women business owners and women who may be early in their careers. “It is all about curiosity, determination, commitment and follow-through.”
Nadine is proud to have created and built a manufacturing company that has survived and thrived for over 30 years. Butler Technologies has provided employment and opportunities to countless people, including designers, engineers, manufacturers, and young professionals just starting their careers. 
Jeanette Numbers, Co-Founder, Loft LLC
BTI is also proud to work with several innovative partners who continually inspire us and push us to make future-proof solutions. Our partner Loft LLC, an independent design firm that’s created innovative solutions to a diverse clientele base including big-name clients such as Dell, Square, Bose, 3M, and Samsung, was also women-founded. We asked Loft’s co-founder, Jeanette Numbers, if she had any insights to share. “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable and don’t expect to have all the answers before you make a decision,” said Jeanette. “Leaders need to take action even when the path forward isn’t clear – for me, I’ve found that vulnerability, authenticity, and accountability are my best assets in those moments.“Have the courage to admit when you’re wrong and when something is not working. The playbook for women leaders shouldn’t mirror the toxic style our male counterparts have modeled year after year. It’s our time to play the game our way! The actions and noise we make in this moment will inspire the next generation of women. Show them what’s possible.
”Her proudest moments, Jeanette said, are seeing her team grow and evolve into amazing leaders in their own rite. “I’m in awe of their continuous, thoughtful approach to complex problems. We are challenged every day to create delightful user experiences and overcome impossible constraints. I get inspired coming to work every day and watching the team attack a problem and come out with something amazing on the other end.”
Women Who Inspire Us
As for women who have inspired them throughout history?
“Eleanor Roosevelt,” said Nadine. “Outspoken and committed First Lady; she advocated for the role of women in the workplace, for the civil rights of the marginalized, and for US involvement and support of the United Nations.
She also admires Mother Teresa – “for her ability to transform compassion for others into action that truly impacted lives.”
“Michelle Obama tells us to stop worrying about whether we’re good enough and acknowledge we deserve to be here,” said Jeanette. “She says so simply, ‘Now, do the work.’”
Jeanette also admires Ruth Bader Ginsburg – “For never settling, always expecting more. When asked when there will be enough women on the Supreme Court, she answers when they are ALL women, just like there had been all men for decades.”
Building a Better Future
Women’s History Month is a chance to reflect on the contributions women have made in society despite the discrimination, inequality, and stigmas they may have faced throughout history and still face today.
As for the future – we hope to keep building it. Butler Technologies, Inc. is making the technologies of the future accessible today through innovative solutions and engineering and manufacturing expertise. Help us print the future by joining our team or following along on LinkedIn.
Meet the Author
Madelyn is an integrated marketing specialist at Butler Technologies and has a passion for problem-solving, project management, and storytelling. She loves marketing in the B2B technology space and has a degree in English specializing in editing, writing and media from Florida State University.