In the tech world’s ongoing diversity struggle, women still hold just 26% of computing jobs, according to the National Center for Women & Information Technology. Yet Emily Journey, CEO of Emily Journey & Associates, has inadvertently created something rare in the industry: an all-women tech team. Her secret wasn’t an elaborate diversity initiative but something surprisingly simple—offering part-time work. This accidental success story illuminates deeper issues around employment structures, gender equity, and America’s healthcare system.
The Landscape of Employment in the U.S.
The traditional 40-hour workweek has become more of a burden than standard for many Americans. This reality hits particularly hard when health benefits are tethered to full-time positions, forcing families to maintain at least one full-time earner—typically the higher-paid spouse, who is often male. This arrangement doesn’t just inconvenience families; it actively reinforces outdated gender roles and feeds the persistent wage gap, where women earn roughly 82 cents to a man’s dollar, according to Census Bureau data.
This disparity creates a frustrating cycle. Women seeking flexible hours to juggle family responsibilities find themselves pushed toward lower-paying roles without benefits, or worse—completely sidelined from their career paths. The tech industry loses valuable talent when skilled women must choose between career advancement and personal well-being, creating a self-perpetuating talent gap that diversity initiatives alone can’t fix.
Emily Journey’s Unique Approach
When Emily founded her website consulting and marketing agency in Columbus, Ohio back in 2012, she wasn’t planning a workplace revolution. Her goal was straightforward: help businesses and nonprofits master WordPress and SEO through expert training and services. What distinguished her company wasn’t just technical expertise but an unusual hiring philosophy—she exclusively offers part-time positions.
“I never intended to hire only women,” Emily says with a hint of surprise in her voice. “That’s just how it turned out.” This unplanned strategy attracted highly qualified women with impressive credentials who prioritized flexibility over traditional career paths. Her team now consists of talented professionals who might otherwise have abandoned tech altogether.
The transformation has been remarkable. Women who felt stifled by rigid corporate structures found a workplace that valued their expertise without demanding their entire lives in return. This flexibility became Emily’s unexpected competitive advantage in recruiting top talent who bring diverse perspectives to every project.
The Broader Implications of Part-Time Work in Tech
The benefits of Emily’s all-women team extend far beyond checking a diversity box. Research consistently shows that diverse teams drive innovation and creative problem-solving—critical advantages in tech where fresh thinking translates directly to market success. Women bring distinct viewpoints that often lead to more user-friendly solutions and comprehensive product development.
Emily’s approach throws down the gauntlet to industry norms. “It’s not hard to hire women in tech if you pay them well and give them the work hours they want,” she notes matter-of-factly. This straightforward observation challenges the elaborate recruitment strategies many companies employ while overlooking the fundamental barriers keeping women from applying in the first place.
As this model gains traction, it could reshape conversations around gender equity in tech. Creating environments where flexibility isn’t just permitted but embraced allows companies to tap into talent pools they previously couldn’t access, potentially addressing the persistent diversity gap from an entirely new angle.
The Future of Work and Health Insurance
The current healthcare system in America creates a problematic dependency that shapes career decisions in ways many don’t fully appreciate. When essential medical coverage is tied to employment status, families are effectively forced to maintain at least one traditional full-time position—a burden that disproportionately falls on men due to existing wage disparities. This arrangement doesn’t just limit individual choices; it reinforces outdated assumptions about who should work and who should care for the family.
Consider how different our workforce might look if health coverage weren’t dependent on employment status. Both men and women could pursue careers aligned with their skills and passions rather than being driven by benefit packages. Families could make decisions based on what works best for their unique circumstances instead of what their healthcare needs demand. This shift wouldn’t just benefit women—it would free men from the pressure of being primary breadwinners and allow more equitable sharing of family responsibilities.
“The current system doesn’t just hurt women’s careers—it traps everyone in rigid roles that may not suit their talents or desires,” Emily observes. “We need to rethink how healthcare works if we want true workplace equality.”
Rethink the Structure of Work
Emily Journey’s accidental experiment offers a compelling glimpse into what tech companies might achieve by simply adjusting their work models. By embracing part-time arrangements and prioritizing flexibility, she built a thriving all-women team that defies industry norms while delivering exceptional results for clients.
The lesson for business leaders is clear: sometimes, the most effective diversity initiatives aren’t elaborate programs but practical adjustments to how work is structured. Part-time positions with competitive pay can attract talent that traditional roles automatically exclude. As Emily’s experience demonstrates, the tech gender gap might be more solvable than many assume.
“I think companies overthink this problem,” Emily says. “Women in tech aren’t unicorns—they’re professionals who need work arrangements that acknowledge they have lives outside the office.”
As the workforce continues evolving, addressing structural barriers like healthcare access will become increasingly critical. Emily Journey & Associates stands as a practical example of how rethinking basic assumptions about work can create opportunities for underrepresented groups while building successful businesses.
In a tech landscape hungry for diverse perspectives, Emily’s company isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving precisely because of its all-women team. By valuing flexibility as much as technical skill, she’s created a workplace that attracts talent competitors miss. That’s not just good for gender equity—it’s smart business.
To learn more about Emily Journey & Associates and their innovative approach, visit their website at emilyjourney.com.
