In this episode of the Ambitious Chick Podcast, Tamara interviews Ashima Sharma, an AI consultant and founder of Ayuka Consulting. Ashima shares her journey from various senior roles in the tech industry to taking a Leap of Faith to start her own consulting company. She discusses how her extensive experience in data modernization and transformation organically led her to focus on AI solutions. Ashima provides insight into working with high-regulated industries like banking and healthcare, the importance of change management, and ethical AI implementation. She also shares practical tips for small businesses on leveraging AI tools for content generation, automation, and financial management. Ashima's message emphasizes the importance of relationships, continuous learning, and the potential for AI to significantly improve administrative efficiency and healthcare diagnostics. She encourages women to go after your dream and create an impact. To overcome fear, take the leap into entrepreneurship, and actively participate in the evolving AI landscape.Ashima Sharma is an action focused leader with exceptional consultation and leadership skills. Ashima excels at driving change, developing teams, leading technical transformations, complex SaaS implementations, and achieving proven results. Ashima has held VP and Senior Director roles in Information Technology with multiple fortune 500 organizations. Her expertise is in the field of Program Leadership, AI Strategy, Application Development, Digital Transformation, Agile Development, Organizational Change Management and Business Analysis. After 20 years in the corporate IT world, Ashima owns and runs her own consulting company called Ayuka LLC (www.ayukaconsulting.com). Ayuka Consulting helps clients with AI Implementation, AI Strategy and Data Readiness. Ashima’s passion is to help individuals understand and navigate change from technical transformations ensuring long term sustainability and adoption of technology. Embracing change enables organizations and individuals to thrive, fostering a cultural shift that drives organizational success. With Organizational Change Management best practices in mind, Ashima manages highly complex technical transformations, including AI Implementation & Integration, Cloud Migrations, Modern Data Management, ERP implementation and product / application development with a human centered approach.She is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Agile Certified Professional (ACP), Microsoft Certified Professional, Prosci Certified Change Practitioner and Certified Scrum Master. Ashima has worked in Fintech, Banking and Healthcare industries, focusing on achieving operational efficiencies across IT and business. Ashima volunteers in the community for women and children’s causes. She serves on PMI local chapter as President Elect. Ashima’s leadership philosophy is to count her successes by making value added contributions to community and individuals. Ashima is a mom of two, a junior at the University of Cincinnati, and a sophomore in High School. She enjoys reading, cooking, and traveling.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:13 Ashima's Background and Career Journey00:40 Starting Ayuka Consulting01:36 Choosing AI as a Niche02:37 Clientele and Industry Focus04:25 Challenges and Opportunities in AI06:19 Favorite AI Tools and Applications07:25 AI in Data Management16:40 Impact of AI on Small Businesses21:25 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs22:45 Future Plans and Closing RemarksConnect with Ashima:https://www.linkedin.com/company/ayukaconsulting/posts/?feedView=all&viewAsMember=truewww.ayukaconsulting.com