How Senior Software Engineer Michael Hardy Leveraged BOT’s Community and Programs to Grow and Develop Confidence
Michael (MIKE) Hardy
Michael (Mike) Hardy grew up in Jackson, MS. After completing his undergraduate degree at Jackson State University, he moved to Orlando, FL where he completed master degrees in management and computer information systems at the Florida Institute of Technology. Currently, Mike works for Advantor Systems as a Senior Software Engineer (Backend) and is a mobile application developer. In his free time, Mike creates animation content online. Ever enthusiastic about technology, Mike was looking for black technologists that were fascinated with tech like he was; he was looking for a community of like-minded people. After interacting with BOT, Building Our Tech, formerly Black Orlando Tech, Mike has grown in confidence. Today we highlight Mike’s journey and interaction with BOT as we celebrate and empower tech professionals and builders.
Meet Michael Hardy
Tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and what you do now.
“Hi all! My name is Michael Hardy. I grew up in Jackson / Raymond, MS. I moved to FL (Orlando) in late 2005 after finishing up undergrad at Jackson State University (Computer Science). After moving to FL, I received both of my master’s degrees in management and computer information systems from Florida Institute of Technology. I started working for Lockheed Martin in 2005 and worked for a few tech companies in CFL. Currently, I work for Advantor Systems in Orlando as a Senior Software Engineer (Backend).
I started a mobile application development firm called Inspired Blue Solutions (2011-2021). During that time, I created a few lifestyle/productivity apps for clients. However, the most personal enjoyment I received was creating gaming apps. I had one app that reached #5 in the Apple App Store under the “gaming/music” genre (“Everybody Beefs”, 2017-2020). Currently, I create animation content and post it online for fun. I may rebrand my company, but I will need to strategize on this more.”
Finding the BOT Community
How did you originally hear about us?
“I heard about BOT via co-founder, Mike Felix. I originally met Mike back in late 2015. This was when he and his business partner Amir had a consulting firm called SFG. He and his partner had a workshop in downtown Orlando about sales and neural networks (I think). During one of the breaks, I introduced myself to Mike, and he began to tell me about BOT (Black Orlando Tech). He invited me to one of their monthly meetings. Since then, I’ve been a consistent member of the group and seen BOT grow from a grassroots tech gathering to a strong community leader and innovator in CFL.”
What problem were you trying to solve when you first connected with BOT?
“I didn’t have a “problem” when I first connected with BOT. My wife at the time and I moved from MS to FL in 2005. We didn’t require “access” or “resources”. We found a church to connect to, and that was helpful. I just wanted to connect with Black tech folks in the area. I worked with a few Black engineers/techs early on in my career. Our relationship was only during working hours and lunch breaks. There weren’t many social events that I knew of for us to connect outside of work. Also, I wasn’t incredibly “social”. However, being around like-minded tech professionals who looked like me made me feel closer to home (Mississippi). In other words, it was good to be around Black folks who liked tech stuff like me (ha-ha)!”
What would success have looked like for you?
“At that time, success would’ve been promotions, pay raises, awards … basic “pat on the back” validations that come from a job well done. However, at that time, my vision for what I thought I wanted out of work/personal success fulfillment was very narrow. Even those goals seemed very elusive to me. I didn’t fully understand why at that time.”
The BOT Experience
What programs, services, or interactions did you have with BOT?
I participated in:
· AWS cloud introduction class
· BOT Tech Startup Series
What stood out the most about your experience?
“AWS: Josh Walker helped guide us through the AWS Cloud Associate program. Learning about cloud technology wasn’t as intimidating as I thought. What I mean is that learning about the individual services and seeing how they can be used to form real-world solutions was something that I can grasp. I was able to spin up a static website in a few hours, learned how to manage (users, files, database, virtual servers, service costs, and scale, etc.). This skill helped me architect solutions for a few projects that I’m currently developing.
Startup Series: What stood out most from this experience is understanding the difference between building a “good idea” and building the “right thing”. It also showed me how to properly identify “my market” and better forecast how much my startup could make if we got the ball rolling. The experience taught me to re-evaluate how I saw “success”. On a personal note, it answered the question of why I was getting the “same-stagnant” results … doing multiple tech ventures. The core answer to that question was “me”.”
Was the BOT experience different from others you have experienced in tech? If so, how was the experience different?
“As a child, I was taught that if I got good grades, then “reward” would come to me. This made sense in K-12 and in most instances during my undergraduate studies. However, as I transitioned to the job market and worked for corporations, that was not the case. There were plenty of instances where I did my job to the best of my ability (developed software to correct specifications, contributed to designs, openly gave my ideas to management to show “value”, collaborated with other teams/disciplines, displayed “can-do” attitude, etc.) and was told that my yearly results weren’t good enough, lightly-inquired about leadership positions only to end up training the person who would end up either becoming my lead or leading another team.
In the entrepreneurial space, I would fall into similar “pits”. I would develop the design and develop the software solutions, but I never seemed to get the “reward”. The clients or partnerships would end “sour” or “incomplete”. This led me to experience severe imposter syndrome that I carried within me for much of my professional career. It all felt like a constant cycle.
My “break” came via a conversation last year (2025) with Jehue Francois, Startup Director for BOT. We were casually having a conversation one day at a birthday party in downtown Orlando. I was telling him about some issues I was having as a startup CTO while still working a full-time job. Out of the blue, he stopped me mid-conversation and said something that changed my thought process as a professional and a leader. He told me the reason I was in a constant cycle was that I didn’t believe in myself enough to get the job done. ”
6. The Turning Point
Was there a specific moment, resource, or person that made a difference?
“The moment with Jehue sticks out in my mind the most from a professional sense. Also, I must shoutout the founders, Josh Walker and Mike Felix.
When my wife Kristle passed away in 2021, Josh and his wife Emily (Experience and Operations Strategist – BOT) set up a Meal Train campaign for my son and me to help with food and other expenses post-funeral. I was overwhelmed with the gesture and was grateful for their love and generosity. For me, that was just an extension of what BOT stands for: community building and support. Aside from this gesture, they are amazing, trendy, down-to-earth people who have devoted their lives to building community here in CFL. Salute to them forever!
Mike has always encouraged me in my tech career. Also, he is unintentionally one of the funniest guys on the planet! Sometimes I feel like I let him down when I didn’t follow through with my plans (ha-ha). However, one of the things that I learned from him is understanding that life is a game of pivots. It is not linear. When you make career moves, you must make them with strategy and confidence. He was one of the reasons I started creating animation content in 2019. It was a simple conversation outside of a hotel, but it sparked a bug in me that I carry and cultivate for the rest of my life. If you never met Mike outside of Facebook, know that Mike is dope in real life!”
The Impact
How did your experience with BOT change your path?
“This experience changed my path by reassuring me that I had all the “tools” for success. It was never about skill … it was the “will”. I just needed courage. With BOT shifting its focus to “Building Our Tech”, it means equipping the skills and building the courage/confidence to make a change in the tech industry and our community. It is a blessing to have exposure to new skills and current tech trends, such as AI. However, what makes BOT special is its members’ vested interest. BOT believes that your success is a “shared” success. This often comes in the form of honest, yet loving conversations for growth and development. That experience with Jehue broke many stagnant cycles in me. I feel refreshed and will move forward with full confidence to pursue my career and life goals.”
What outcomes can you directly relate to the support, access, and resources received from BOT?
“One outcome I can directly attribute to this is that I co-led a team, designed, implemented, and delivered a software project for the PANYNJ (Port Authority of New York/New Jersey) in 2026. I stepped out of the role of just being a Senior Developer and helped mold and pave a path forward for our company’s client. This delivery has led to follow-on contracts and opportunities for future business. I will also use this experience to deliver technical vision and solutions in any CTO position I hold.”
Looking Ahead
Where are you now compared to where you started?
“I am more confident in my “tools,” eager to learn more, willing to “teach” and “lead” more, and very gracious and thankful for the opportunities that have been presented. I’m thankful for the second, third, and “n-number” of chances for success.”
Why Community Matters
In your own words, what does BOT's mission mean to you?
“Tech skills are cheap. What I mean is that someone can search the internet, use AI tools, and learn just about anything they want. If I believed that was the BOT’s mission, that would be a gross understatement. I believe the BOT’s mission is to fortify its members not only with skills but also with “understanding” and “confidence” for success. Elon Musk once said, “When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds aren’t in your favor.” When you believe you have the skill and the appropriate mindset for the tasks ahead, you don’t let societal pressures hold you back. You source solutions instead of constantly identifying problems. You understand that failure is part of the sport and not the final period of the sentence.”
Why do you think organizations like BOT are important for the future of tech?
“BOT is important because its mission is evergreen and will resonate with Black folks in tech. The need to empower and instill belief will always be the binding agent with skill competency in tech. That belief will lead to constant learning and growth, economic freedom, and local/large-scale community impact.”
A Brighter Future
What's next for you?
“Right now, I’m continuing work as a Senior Engineer and will be working to further develop into a Senior Software Architect or Director. I’m also working as a CTO for a company in CFL with the goal of getting our product to market by the 3rd quarter this year. Stay tuned!”
What would you say to someone considering getting involved with BOT?
“It is unnecessarily difficult to build success in tech in a silo. The best way to build is through the power of community. BOT has been building and supporting the Black tech community for over 10 years. If you are looking for opportunities to upskill, become more career-ready/prepared, or take that entrepreneurial journey, give BOT a look. You won’t regret it.”
The BOT Difference
Mike Hardy is an incredible and established technologist, working in the field he loves when he first interacted with BOT. He wasn’t looking for workforce development, he was looking for a community as passionate about the progression of technology as he was. Throughout his journey and interactions with BOT he gained new skills, new friends and most importantly new confidence to chase all of his dreams with his full heart. Thank you Mike for being a part of the BOT community and for taking the time to share your story. We look forward to more memories and milestones as BOT moves forward into the future.
