Learn more about Coralie at https://coraliedelpha.beehiiv.com

Today I'm speaking with Coralie Delpha — a Lead Technical Architect at Shopify.

Coralie is a lovely, calm, and curious individual, and very well regarded in her community. I've known her for a while and was really interested to catch up and dive deeper into her work, the Shopify ecosystem, and more.

We spoke about her journey in law, business school, learning to code, building community and connection, her team, mentors, Cursor, AI, writing, advice for younger developers, and much more.

Coralie is very well-rounded — and very aligned and passionate about her work. If you're interested in diving into what she does more after the podcast, you can check out her newsletter.

Summary

In this conversation, Coralie Delpha, a Lead Technical Architect at Shopify, shares her unique journey from studying law to becoming a prominent figure in the tech community. She discusses the importance of building connections, the role of communication in her career, and how her background in law influences her work in technology.

Coralie emphasizes the significance of community support within the Shopify ecosystem and the evolution of the platform over the years. She also highlights the resources available for app developers and the positive culture at Shopify that fosters collaboration and innovation.

In this conversation, Coralie discusses the various aspects of Shopify, including its payment solutions, automation tools, and no-code capabilities. She highlights the platform's ability to support e-commerce expansion and comprehensive business management. Coralie also shares insights into her role as a Technical Architect, the importance of team dynamics, and the challenges of migrating from Salesforce to Shopify. The discussion touches on the company's culture, the integration of AI in development, and personal growth through mentorship and daily routines.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Early Journey
02:38 The Intersection of Law and Business
05:31 Discovering Tech Through Blogging
08:33 Transitioning to Freelancing and Shopify
11:28 Learning to Code and the Bootcamp Experience
14:45 First Freelance Projects and Building Confidence
23:28 The Evolution of Shopify: From Small Merchants to Big Brands
28:12 Diving into the Technical Side of Shopify
33:27 The Expanding Ecosystem: Themes, Apps, and Agencies
38:06 Building a Supportive Community Around Shopify
41:33 Empowering Entrepreneurs: Shopify's Mission Against Giants
45:02 Shopify's Marketplace and Payment Solutions
49:14 Shopify's Versatility: Beyond E-commerce
53:15 The Role of a Technical Architect at Shopify
53:44 Understanding Growth Services at Shopify
56:08 The Role of Consulting and Development
59:03 Navigating Merchant Migration from Salesforce to Shopify
01:02:31 Interdepartmental Collaboration at Shopify
01:06:40 Company Culture and Transparency at Shopify
01:11:03 Exploring the Technical Stack and AI Integration
01:15:21 Building Apps and Learning Experiences
01:22:30 The Impact of Technology on Daily Life
01:23:50 Exploring Cursor: A New Development Tool
01:25:52 Mentorship and Learning from Experience
01:29:37 Understanding Client Needs and Problem Solving
01:32:03 The Role of Instinct in Software Development
01:35:26 Navigating Burnout and Freelancing Challenges
01:38:59 Self-Discovery and Personal Growth
01:40:10 Daily Routines and Productivity Strategies
01:42:44 Navigating the Shopify Landscape
01:47:34 The Power of Communication and Networking
01:53:56 Embracing Entrepreneurship and Future Aspirations