Coralie Delpha | Shopify, Freelance Development, Community, Mentors, and Learning to Code

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 & 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 & Chapters (AI Generated)

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