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Erika Colson pursued an MBA degree with the goal of obtaining more marketable skills — but as she started learning about information technology, she was drawn to that field. “The more I learned about various aspects of the technology industry in the Northwest, the more I became interested in information technology,” she says.
No matter that she didn’t have a computer science degree, nor that she was about to enter a male-dominated field: Colson was sold on the idea of going into the IT industry. Through the years of working for software companies, and later for Poulsbo-based Boxlight, Colson’s involvement evolved from marketing and sales to the IT department. In 1999, she was ready to take a big step in a new direction: open her own IT company.
With her husband, Scott, Colson, she founded Autonomix on Bainbridge Island. Colson, company president, is majority owner. “When Scott and I started our company, we believed that businesses needed help doing the things we liked doing: setting up technology systems to operate more effectively. We knew we’d be a good team, and we wanted to work together,” she says.
They ran the business from their home for five years, and three years ago opened an office in Winslow. Autonomix now has three full-time employees, with plans to add three more by the end of the year. With the additional help, Colson’s involvement has been changing from hands-on programming to business development. Even as she focuses on growing the company, she plans to keep her certifications current and continuously upgrade her skills — a must in this fast-changing world of technology.
“It’s a constant challenge, a constant struggle to keep our skill sets up to date, and keep track of new technologies coming on the market,” she says. “We enjoy those challenges.”
When Autonomix opened doors, the climate was not the best for tech companies. It was the time when the “dot-com” bubble burst, and a lot of laid-off technology employees were setting up shop as “consultants.” And the Kitsap area wasn’t growing as fast as the Colsons had anticipated. So the company adjusted its services based on customer needs, adding network support and other solutions. As the company grew and customers needed help in new areas, Autonomix grew with them. “As they articulated other needs, we tried to meet them,” Colson says.
Autonomix serves small and medium-sized businesses in the Puget Sound region, helping customers set up and manage computer networks and information systems. Their expertise includes network solutions, customer relationship management systems, databases and Web development. “Our customers view technology as a strategic investment for their business,” Colson says. Although the company only markets its services in this region, it has clients all around the country, thanks to advances in remote administration and customer referrals.
Colson acknowledges the IT field is traditionally viewed as a man’s job, but says there is an industry movement to change the trend and attract more women. “There’s still a general perception that the computer ‘guy’ will come and help,” she says. “I don’t know why more women aren’t attracted to the industry; perhaps because of the perception of the geek guy sitting in a back room… Along the way, male colleagues have been as supportive of me as anyone, and I’m very comfortable working in an environment that’s mostly male.”
Although the field attracts a lot of introverts, Colson emphasizes that communication is the most important skill for a good computer technician. The “tech” must be able to listen to the customer’s story, translate it into technical terms, and then communicate the problem and the solution back to the customer.
Colson herself likes the customer interaction the most about her job. “I enjoy a deeper understanding of my customers’ businesses and helping them get the most from their technology investments,” she says. “When they succeed, we succeed.”
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