From Scientist to Nature Tech Creator
How Ana blended science, motherhood, and no-code to build something her own
Meet Ana Farinha
Biologist. Nature lover. Digital dreamer.
Ana, 44, is a scientist turned data analyst working at a Lisbon-based lab. After two decades in academic research—across Portugal and France—she made the bold move to shift careers in search of more stability and impact. She's also a mother of two young girls, one of whom happily co-attended no-code classes nestled in Ana’s lap.
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“This course shook me. It changed my direction completely. I wanted to test myself—and I did. Now I know I can build something meaningful.”
Ana Farinha
Student from Descodifica-te #3, 2025
The Challenge
Ana didn’t join Descodifica-te to reinvent herself.
She joined to expand—to see if there was a place where her love for data, digital tools, and social causes could coexist.
But balancing it all? A full-time job, side learning, motherhood (with a toddler in tow)—was no small feat.
Time was tight. Self-doubt lingered.But the drive to create something of her own never left.
The Transformation
“I joined thinking: is it even possible to build a website easily?”
It was. But Ana didn’t stop at a website.
She discovered Airtable, Softr, Tally, Zapier—and in her words, "lost herself" in the creativity of it all.
What began as a hobby turned into a serious plan: a nature-inspired business called Guardião Verde, bringing more greenery and connection to urban communities.
Through weekly missions, real client work, and hours stolen during baby naps, Ana not only built projects—she reshaped her path.
She surprised even herself.
Behind the scenes
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Favorite
Tool
Airtable "Spectacular as a database!"
Favourite mission
“Running to meet the Sunday 11:59 deadline”
Biggest challenge
Juggling the course with baby naps and weekend shifts
Most valuable learning
“Doing is how you learn. I needed to do.”
What’s next for Ana
Ana’s determined to carve out space for her own ideas.
She’s exploring a softer job setup to make room for what really matters—building something of her own.
The project "Guardião Verde" is just the beginning.
No-code isn’t just a tool for her anymore. It’s a way forward.
Project Highlight
In the final stage of the Cohorts, students have the opportunity to create a Capstone Project to showcase what they have learned across the journey. They have the liberty to use whichever tool they want or even explore new ones, promoting their critical thinking and proactivity. Always with the support of our Mentors.
Project name: Guardião Verde
Mission: Bring nature into urban neighborhoods to foster joy and well-being
Tools: Softr, Airtable, Tally, Gumroad, Zapier
Features:
Automated email flows
Community profiles via Tally
E-commerce with Gumroad
Custom landing page built in Softr
The Results
A functioning MVP with automated workflows—and a reimagined business model.
“I changed the concept from a store to a space for community inspiration. That shift? It changed everything.”
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Programs
Ready to test yourself too?
Ana didn’t take the leap to leave her career behind—she took it to finally build something of her own. You don’t need all the answers to begin. Just a little time. A spark of curiosity. And the right tools.
