We had the good fortune of connecting with Nekita Sisk and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nekita, can you tell us about a book that has had a meaningful impact on you?

Let me start by saying I am an avid reader on the verge of being a tsundoku sensei!!! I’ve read a lot of books… but ashamedly I do have a bunch laying around that I still need to get to. On the Fiction side I like to get wisped away by romance, drama, classics or suspense/thrillers. On the Non-Fiction side memoirs and self-help books. I tried reading on the Kindle it’s okay but prefer a good ‘ole paperback that I can dog ear and highlight the pages up.

I’d say the book “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain has been very beneficial for me personally and professionally. For a long time I use to think something was wrong with me…I often felt like the misunderstood walking oxymoron trying to be someone I wasn’t. Others would be confused by my quirkiness like the need for solitude (like reading books), introspective and deep thinking, enjoyment with small and intimate social settings,  and a preference for meaningful one-on-one interactions. Cain suggests  “’Society has a cultural bias towards extroverts”. I agree, we live in a time where extroversion is celebrated and often rewarded. Whomever is the most vocal, outgoing, or gets the most ‘likes’  or has the most followers is rewarded with the next big opportunity or praised and seen as an influencer.

I like to consider myself a quiet storm…you may not hear me coming but when it’s time you will see me. In the book it mentions introverts are better at solving complex problems through clarity, patience and persistence. Cain also explains why introverted leaders may be better at nurturing proactivity, improving innovation and problem-solving, and personal development and mastery. This book helped me better understand myself and how to play to my strengths and because we live in a world designed for extroverts I’ve learned to desensitize the discomfort and adapt in order to be happy.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Currently I am the Founder & CEO of a tech startup called U2LYZE, a skills-based recruiting platform matching pre-vetted talent to employers. We’ve identified a gap in existing solutions and how they match talent – the two sides are not speaking the same language. Our focus is to alleviate skills-mismatch to help job seekers and employers find the right fit.

You may be wondering why this problem and why now? Prior to starting U2LYZE the last 20 years of my career was spent working in traditional corporate jobs in various sectors & industries helping companies and organizations find the resources & talent needed for hard to fit and in-demand jobs. I’ve turned my attention to helping job seekers because skills-mismatch impacts 1.3 billion people globally and is the key barrier to productive employment. Layer on top of that opportunity gaps that exist for non-traditional workers which causes many to be locked out of the workforce leading to hidden and untapped talent being underutilized. Our mission is to use skills as the great equalizer giving non-traditional workers a competitive edge to realize their full potential, enable productive employment, and create career optionality.

How did I get here…? I knew from an early age that I wanted to start my own business but I didn’t have entrepreneurs around to learn that business acumen. However, I did get to witness my mom – who worked 30 plus years for a telecommunications company – lean into her customer success roles. While it didn’t dawn on my until I got older that she was actually in IT…looking back I realize I probably should have leveraged her more but I did learn by watching from afar.

I do wish I would have been taught sooner about how to create career optionality opposed to believing that working in a corporate job was the only option. So now I set out to help others so they don’t make the same missteps I did. I’m also using my lessons and journey to amplify STEEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, & Math). We need more underrepresented groups in these spaces especially entrepreneurship.


Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh how fun so I’m a big foodie and love spots that play music as you eat! So we’d start by checking in to Joule Hotel and catch a cocktail. Next day breakfast at Bread Winners then pop over to Central Market for an early morning cooking class then have some tasty gelato for a treat. Yoga, Zumba, and people watch in Klyde Warren Park. Breakfast/brunch at BuzzBrews then biking at White Rock Lake — Casa View and late lunch at That Thai Restaurant. Hit up Dallas Zoo and Bishop Arts District for Hatties. Head out to Mesquite Rodeo and the River Ranch Horse Park for riding lessons.

Switch hotels to Le Méridien Dallas, The Stoneleigh so we can visit some things on the North Side. Galleria Mall for lunch and ice skating. Andrettiis dinner at Sixty Vines. Haywires for breakfast then Shopping in Legacy West Ra Sushi or Bulla Gastro Bar or North Italia. Japanese Massages at OD Wellness visit the Star in Frisco to take pics on the Dallas Cowboys and watch movies on the big screen then grab a bit at Tupelo Honey.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I give all the credit to my source – God. All that I am, all that I have – every success, every accomplishment – and all that I do is because of God.

Shoutout to my daughter she is the real MVP. Thank you for kindness, compassion, and teaching me to be love and give love unconditionally.

Last but not least thank you to my mom and my family for being my rock. Allowing me to dream, supporting my endeavors, and always there for me when needed. I love you.

Website: https://u2lyze.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nekitasisk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nekitasisk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NekitaSisk

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.