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Mums On Cloud Nine

Heather Black
Mums On Cloud Nine
Último episodio

114 episodios

  • Mums On Cloud Nine

    Changing lives from a community centre to African Ohana

    08/07/2026 | 21 min
    How does a tech internship at a community centre in Kenya lead to one of the highest honours in the Salesforce ecosystem?  

    In this episode of our Golden Hoodie Winners series, I sit down with Alimali Stephens, Salesforce Senior Developer, community leader, and Salesforce Golden Hoodie recipient. Alimali shares an inspiring story that began with a desire to give back to his local community and led to an unforgettable moment on the Dreamforce stage.  

    His journey reminds us that opportunities often arrive when we're focused on helping others rather than chasing recognition. 

    Where It All Began 

    Alimali takes us back to his early days at the Karibu Centre in Kenya, where he joined as an intern supporting programmes for mothers, children, and the wider community. 

     It was there that he was first introduced to Salesforce through a volunteer programme. Rather than simply learning a new platform, he became part of a project that transformed how the organisation measured its impact, automated manual processes, and better supported the families it served. 

    That first experience with Salesforce would shape the rest of his career. 

    An Unforgettable Dreamforce Moment 

    One day, his director called him into the office with an unexpected question. How comfortable was he speaking in front of a large audience? 

    Soon afterwards, Alimali discovered he had been invited to present on the Dreamforce Admin Keynote. It would be his first visit outside Africa, his first trip to the United States, and, as it turned out, the day he received a surprise Salesforce Golden Hoodie. 

    To make the moment even more memorable, it all happened on his birthday.  

    Building A Career While Building A Community 

    Since receiving his Golden Hoodie, Alimali has continued to grow professionally, progressing from Salesforce Administrator to consultant and now Senior Salesforce Developer.  

    Alongside his day job, he has remained committed to community leadership. As a Salesforce Community Leader in Nairobi and a technology lead with Africa Ohana, he spends his time mentoring aspiring professionals, organising events, and helping others discover opportunities within the Salesforce ecosystem. 

    His belief is simple. The more people we help today, the stronger the community becomes tomorrow. 

    Why Community Changes Careers 

    Throughout our conversation, Alimali explains how discovering the Salesforce community transformed his own learning journey. 

    Early in his career, he often found himself solving problems alone because he didn't know there were other Salesforce professionals nearby who could help. Today, he works to ensure new Trailblazers never have that same experience. 

    It's a powerful reminder that asking questions, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another often accelerates everyone's growth. 

    AI Through The Eyes Of A Salesforce Developer 

    We also discuss how AI is changing the role of Salesforce developers.  

    Rather than seeing AI as a threat, Alimali views it as a practical tool that helps developers solve problems faster, reduce repetitive work, and deliver better solutions for customers. He shares examples of building AI-powered Salesforce solutions and explains why learning to work alongside AI will become an increasingly valuable skill. 

    What part of Alimali's journey inspired you the most, and how could giving back to your own community shape your career in ways you never expected? 
    About Supermums 
    Founded by Heather Black, a Salesforce Golden Hoodie winner, Supermums helps relaunchers and seasoned Salesforce professionals accelerate their careers in tech through expert training, career coaching and recruitment support. 
    Whether someone is returning to work, pivoting into a new role, or ready to step up in the Salesforce ecosystem, Supermums provides practical training, mentoring and access to job opportunities to help them build confidence, sharpen their skills and progress faster. 
    Alongside its career development programmes, Supermums partners with employers to connect them with talented Salesforce professionals who are ready to make an impact.
    Find out more here https://supermums.org/podcast-intro  
    About our Sponsor, Hubbl Technologies 
    Hubbl gives Salesforce teams the clarity they need to move faster.
    By connecting technical metadata with real business processes, Hubbl reveals what is happening inside your Salesforce org — from security and access risks to process gaps, tech debt, and AI readiness. The result: less guesswork, faster audits, better documentation, and smarter decisions for teams who want to build, scale, and innovate with confidence 
    Find out more about https://qrco.de/bgY7zw
  • Mums On Cloud Nine

    What Does it Take to Become a Salesforce Golden Hoodie Winner?

    01/07/2026 | 22 min
    What does it take to become a Salesforce Golden Hoodie winner, and how can community involvement shape an entire career? 

    In this episode of our Golden Hoodie Winners series, I sit down with Christina Nava, Salesforce professional, Service Cloud expert, and Golden Hoodie recipient. Christina received her Golden Hoodie at Dreamforce after years of dedication to the Serviceblazer community, where she became known for helping others, sharing knowledge, and supporting fellow Salesforce professionals. 

     What makes Christina's story particularly inspiring is that her recognition wasn't built around a single achievement. Instead, it came from years of consistently showing up, contributing to the community, and helping others succeed. 

    Finding A Home in the Salesforce Ecosystem 

    Christina takes us back to her introduction to Salesforce in 2011 while working in technical support and software consulting. 

    What began as exposure to a CRM platform gradually developed into a career specializing in Service Cloud. Along the way, she discovered a passion for solving problems, supporting users, and building solutions that help organizations deliver better customer experiences. 

    She also reflects on the challenges of being a solo Salesforce Admin and why finding a supportive professional community became such an important part of her growth. 

    Why Community Matters More Than Ever 

    One of the strongest themes throughout our conversation is the value of community. 

    Christina shares how the Serviceblazer community became a place where she could ask questions, learn from others, and avoid feeling isolated in her role. Over time, she transitioned from someone seeking support to someone providing it. 

    Her experience highlights an important lesson for anyone building a career in technology. Success rarely happens in isolation. The relationships you build, the people you help, and the knowledge you share often become just as valuable as technical expertise. 

    Building Skills Through Curiosity And Practice 

     Like many Salesforce professionals who started before today's abundance of free learning resources, Christina had to find her own path. 

    She discusses the early days of learning Salesforce before Trailhead became widely available and explains how hands-on experience, curiosity, and persistence helped her develop her expertise. 

    We also talk about consulting life, being thrown into unfamiliar situations, learning quickly, and why practical experience often teaches lessons that no certification alone can provide. 

    Leadership, Mentorship, And Giving Back 

    As her career progressed, Christina discovered another passion, helping others develop their own careers. She shares how mentors and supportive women within the Salesforce ecosystem helped shape her journey and why those relationships became so valuable throughout her career. 

    Today, Christina serves as a co-leader of the Houston Women in Tech group, helping create opportunities for others while continuing the cycle of mentorship that helped her succeed. 

    AI, Service Cloud, And The Future Of Customer Experience 

     We also discuss the growing role of AI within Service Cloud and customer service operations. 

    Having recently participated in Salesforce demonstrations around new AI capabilities, Christina shares her perspective on where organizations are seeing opportunities and why strong foundations remain important before adopting emerging technologies. 

    It's an insightful discussion that balances innovation with practical implementation. 

    Advice For Anyone Starting Their Salesforce Journey 

    Throughout our conversation, Christina returns to a simple theme: keep learning, stay curious, and get involved.  

    Whether you're just beginning your Salesforce journey, considering a career transition, or looking for ways to expand your network, her story demonstrates how consistency, community involvement, and a willingness to help others can create opportunities you never expected. 

     
    Which part of Christina's journey resonated most with you, and how could getting more involved in your own community help shape your career?
  • Mums On Cloud Nine

    How One Family's Salesforce Journey Led to a Golden Hoodie

    25/06/2026 | 37 min
    What happens when a passion for helping others creates opportunities that extend far beyond your own career? 
    In this episode of our Golden Hoodie Winners series, we sit down with Kaelan Moss, Salesforce Marketing Cloud Instructor, Team Lead at Revolent Group, and recipient of the Salesforce Golden Hoodie award. Kaelan shares a deeply personal story that began with a desire to help others and ultimately led to one of the highest honors in the Salesforce ecosystem.  
    From an athletic background and a degree in economics to becoming a respected Salesforce educator, Kaelan's path into technology was anything but traditional. His story is a powerful example of how curiosity, discipline, and a willingness to teach others can create opportunities that change lives. 
    The Decision That Changed Everything 
    During the uncertainty of the pandemic, Kaelan made a bold decision. After moving back home, he committed to supporting his family while teaching his mother and sister Salesforce Marketing Cloud skills. 
    He paid the bills, created a learning environment, and helped them develop new careers in technology. What started as a family project became a story that resonated throughout the Trailblazer Community and eventually caught the attention of Salesforce. 
    Kaelan reflects on the lessons learned from that experience, why leading by example matters, and how consistent daily actions often have a greater impact than grand gestures.  
    Creating New Paths into Tech 
    One of the most compelling parts of our conversation centres on career opportunities beyond traditional education pathways. 
    Kaelan shares why he believes platforms like Salesforce have created accessible routes into well-paid, flexible careers for people from all backgrounds. He discusses the financial realities many families face, the burden of student debt, and why practical, hands-on learning can open doors that many people never knew existed. 
    His mission today is simple: help people discover opportunities that can create greater freedom and choice in their lives. 
    Why Marketing Cloud Captured His Attention 
    As someone fascinated by psychology and human behaviour, Kaelan explains why Marketing Cloud became his specialization. 
    We discuss the relationships among technology, communication, and how people make decisions. For Kaelan, marketing sits at the intersection of technology and human behaviour, making it one of the most interesting areas within the Salesforce ecosystem. 
    His perspective offers valuable insights for anyone considering a career in marketing technology or customer engagement. 
    Making Sense of AI Without the Hype 
    Artificial intelligence is transforming every corner of the technology industry, but Kaelan brings a refreshing perspective to the conversation. 
    He shares his thoughts on the growing AI noise online, why critical thinking matters when using AI tools, and how professionals can avoid being distracted by fear-based messaging. 
    We also discuss how he uses ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok in his own work, comparing their strengths and explaining why understanding the quality of your inputs remains just as important as the technology itself. 
    A Simple Learning Habit Anyone Can Use 
    Having trained hundreds of aspiring Marketing Cloud professionals, Kaelan reveals the learning technique he credits with helping him succeed throughout college, certification exams, and his professional career. 
    His advice is practical, easy to implement, and something listeners can start using immediately, whether they are studying Salesforce, learning a new skill, or working toward a career change.  
    Check out our website at www.mumsoncloudnine.co.uk and subscribe for weekly tips to elevate your mindset. 
    What part of Kaelan's story resonated most with you, and could his approach inspire someone in your own family to consider a career in tech? 
    What Is the Salesforce Golden Hoodie? 
    "The Salesforce Golden Hoodie is a special recognition and token of appreciation bestowed upon individuals who have shared their stories of doing well by doing good. These Trailblazers range from relatively new to the ecosystem to seasoned community change-makers – Source". 
    Check out the definitive guide to Salesforce Golden Hoodie Winners here  
    https://supermums.org/golden-hoodie-winners-the-definitive-guide-to-salesforces-most-inspiring-trailblazers/ 
    About Supermums 
    Founded by Heather Black, a Salesforce Golden Hoodie winner, Supermums helps relaunchers and seasoned Salesforce professionals accelerate their careers in tech through expert training, career coaching and recruitment support. 
    Whether someone is returning to work, pivoting into a new role, or ready to step up in the Salesforce ecosystem, Supermums provides practical training, mentoring and access to job opportunities to help them build confidence, sharpen their skills and progress faster. 
    Alongside its career development programmes, Supermums partners with employers to connect them with talented Salesforce professionals who are ready to make an impact.
    Find out more here https://supermums.org/podcast-intro  
    About our Sponsor, Hubbl Technologies 
    Hubbl gives Salesforce teams the clarity they need to move faster.
    By connecting technical metadata with real business processes, Hubbl reveals what is happening inside your Salesforce org — from security and access risks to process gaps, tech debt, and AI readiness. The result: less guesswork, faster audits, better documentation, and smarter decisions for teams who want to build, scale, and innovate with confidence 
    Find out more about https://qrco.de/bgY7zw
  • Mums On Cloud Nine

    How to Use AI for Real-Life Productivity with Julia Druck

    02/02/2026 | 25 min
    Are you ready to discover how artificial intelligence can genuinely transform the juggle of family and work life? In this inspiring episode, the Mums on Cloud Nine team welcomes Julia Druck, an AI consultant with a fascinating career journey.
    Julia shares her path from weapons engineer in the Royal Navy to co-founding the AI consultancy 'Serpent,' and unveils practical, real-life ways you can embrace AI, even if you think you're not techy.
    Julia reveals her creation of a "Family Command Centre" using user-friendly, low- and no-code AI tools, bringing calm and order to the chaos of family logistics.
    She and the hosts explore why now is the perfect time to get curious about AI, how to get started without fear, and how your current skills are far more transferable to the world of AI than you think.
    Whether you're an ambitious mum, a parent managing multiple calendars, or someone looking to upskill and relaunch your career, this episode will spark your motivation and give you tangible tools to build a life you love.
    Key Points in This Episode:
    Julia Druck's unconventional career path and how she carved out a place in the AI industry.

    What exactly a Family Command Centre is and how AI can solve everyday household chaos like school events, appointments and birthdays.

    The reality behind learning AI as an adult: free courses, bootcamps, and online resources that are actually accessible (including YouTube!).

    Common fears and myths about AI... and why getting hands-on is easier than it seems.

    How transferable skills from product management (and parenting) set you up for success in the tech world.

    Favourite tools and platforms for AI task management, from Lindy, Susama and Todoist to Reclaim.

    Top tips for time-poor parents on integrating AI solutions for home and career.

    Julia's Free Guide:
    https://mumsoncloudnine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/MUMS-on-Cloud-NINE-Podcast-AI-agent-resource.pdf 
    Mentioned in this episode:
    Lindy (No-code AI agent platform): https://www.lindy.ai/assistant 

    Susama: https://www.sunsama.com/ 

    Todoist: https://www.todoist.com/ 

    Reclaim: https://reclaim.ai/ 

    Claude: https://claude.ai/login 

    Comet: https://www.perplexity.ai/comet 

    YouTube tutorials for Lindy AI: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lindy+ai+tutorial 

    Craving more inspiration and practical tips?
    Subscribe for weekly mindset and career guidance, and join a community of women supporting each other in relaunching careers, building confidence, and achieving fulfilment.
    Find Julia Druck and connect for more insights:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliadruck/ 

    If you're ready to banish overwhelm, embrace technology, and empower yourself, this episode is your perfect starting point!
    For more about Mums on Cloud Nine, the Supermums programme, and our expert directory, visit: Supermums.org
    Championing the Ambitious Women Mindset each and every week.
  • Mums On Cloud Nine

    How To Learn Anything 10x Faster (Without Burning Out)

    26/01/2026 | 18 min
    What if you could stop saying "I don't know how to do that"… and start saying "give me an hour"?
    In this episode of Mums on Cloud Nine, Heather, Lynne and Kelly share how they use AI to make lifelong learning easier, faster, and genuinely enjoyable, even if you struggle with focus, motivation, or traditional online courses.
    We cover:
    How AI gives you "sticky skills" you can add to your CV quickly

    Why learning isn't just about work, it's about confidence and momentum in life

    The moment AI stops feeling like homework and starts feeling like magic

    Why demos matter: you don't adopt tools until you see what they can really do

    ADHD learning styles: how to learn in a way that actually sticks

    The emotional rollercoaster of mastering new tech (and why it's normal)

    This is a real, funny, practical conversation about staying relevant in a changing job market… and becoming the kind of person who can reinvent themselves whenever they need to.
    If you've been stuck in "I'll start Monday" mode, this one's for you.
    📍 More resources: mumsoncloudnine.co.uk
    📍 Explore our training courses: https://supermums.org/
    💬 Tell us what you want to learn next and we'll cheer you on.
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Acerca de Mums On Cloud Nine
The show is hosted by Heather Black, a champion for women in tech and founder of Supermums, a global brand supporting mums to develop a career in the salesforce eco-system. The podcast aims to inspire and support mums new or already working in the sector to develop their career in the tech sector whilst achieving flexibility and the salary they deserve – sharing top tips, insight and inspirational stories from women who carved out a successful career and employers who champion diversity and gender equality. Through our podcast series we will cover four key areas of insight: Explore your Potential Understand what roles are possible and how to feel assured it's right for you. Create a Vision for Change Coaching tools and tips to change or develop your career. Have a Life you Love Foster a flexible career working with your employer, team and family. Create your Success Develop your skills, network, profile and reputation as the go to expert.
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