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Meet Geek Girl Catherine Weber

Posted on February 22, 2010 in Interviews, News | 0 Comments

Catherine Weber will be teaching some of the workshops in the Social Media Series including Social Media Primer, The Power of Facebook for your Business, The Power of LinkedIn for your Business, YouTube for Business, and Twitter for Business. See all workshops here

1.      How and when did you become a Geek Girl?

As a marketing professional, it was crucial to understand technology as a communication tool. From the beginning of my career, I have had to learn how to use the internet to help my clients. We built our first website in 1994 for ourselves and our first client. We have never stopped riding the technology wave since.

2.      Technology is so big, so diverse: in what parts are you an expert? in what realms are you still learning?

My expertise is in how to use technology for communication and marketing. What started out as publishing websites, has evolved to using social media  tools to help our clients promote their brands and products.

3.      Did you have an experience growing up or as an adult where you felt the huge divide between women and technology?

In my experience, girls and women were never engineers or mathematicians and as an extension, not computer experts but my mother was never afraid to learn, so neither was I. As a result, I have two sisters who work in technology and my mother still teaches me new tricks at 71 years old. In fact, she is coming to Bootcamp to learn more.

4.      If you answered yes, how did you handle it?

5.      What was your favorite part of Geek Girl Camp 2009?

Meet with women who had a desire to understand something new is powerful. Having them come away with a new understanding is amazing. The best part is being able to share what I know and empower women to move ahead with confidence.

6.      List 3 ways that women (or you specifically) can have an impact on technology.

·         Women can use technology to make change in their own personal lives. The internet gives us access to information and information is power. If women know how to use it, they can positively change their lives and the lives of their families and communities.
·         Women can use technology as a communication tool to make change in the world through activism.
·         Women can make it known what is working and not working with the technology they use. Software companies and websites seek feedback from users to improve their offering. Women can help to make improvements to the tools they use by providing constructive feedback.

7.      If you could change one thing about the world (and we know you can) what would it be?

Tough question. There are so many things. Mostly, stopping the torture and repression of people around the world. Women and technology can change that by learning the tools and using them to make change!

8.      What is your desire, wish or goal for Geek Girl Camp 2010?

To empower women to make a difference in the world by using their natural skills in communication.

9. If the Geek Girls could have 1 minute to talk to the world, what would we say?

Harness the power of technology to change the world.

Catherine Weber’s Bio:

Catherine Weber, president of Weber Media Partners, has come full circle over the last 15 years in transforming her firm from a PR and Marketing Communications company to an interactive agency providing social media services to predominately B-to-B clients. Catherine has developed a thoughtful approach to bring small- and mid-size businesses into a conversational world. The client portfolio includes the National Park Service, mid-size technology firms, and notable organizations such as Lahey Clinic, William Raveis Real Estate, Bose Corporation, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Top of the Hub Restaurant. Weber Media Partners’ blog, Impressions through Media, educates and provides thought leadership on social media and marketing, and the strategic integration into a business’ marketing mix. Catherine received a B.A. from Emerson College in Communications and a M.A. from UMass Boston in Critical and Creative Thinking. She presents at conferences, and conducts hands-on workshops on Social Media and Inbound Marketing.

Meet the Educational Scholarship Partner for Boot Camp Cape Cod, ABWA Cape Cod

Posted on February 17, 2010 in Interviews, News | 0 Comments

At each Boot Camp, we partner with a local women’s group in that region to not only assist us in running the Boot Camp, but because of their involvement, we try to donate a portion of the proceeds to their educational scholarship fund which helps women take classes, workshops, attend conferences and go to college. Last year at Boot Camp Cape Cod 2009, we were able to donate a $1,500 check to them, and this year we are hoping to break that record, and see if we can give some other organizations some help. The Board got together and answered these questions for us, to let people know what the organization does. Also, several of the Geek Girls are members of the ABWA.

1.) What is the purpose of ABWA? And the Cape Cod Charter Chapter specifically?

The mission of ABWA Cape Cod is the same as ABWA National which is:
To bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support, and national recognition.

Though here on Cape Cod we add a bit more flair and fun to the organization, and I think most members would agree, that we have expanded on the mission statement by focusing on friendships and enjoying each other’s company both at meetings and out in the community.  We see each other at so many events and organizations that we are all a part of, and it’s always great to bump into fellow ABWA members.

2.) When do you meet, where and what is the format?

Every month, on the second Tuesday, we meet at the Radisson Hotel on Route 28 in Hyannis. Meetings start at 5:30 with networking and hanging out, and a little after six we sit down so that we can cover a bit of necessary business.  We do very lively introductions of ourselves and then dig into the amazing buffet dinner that the Radisson provides.  After that we have a guest speaker from the community who presents for 20-30 minutes, on a topic of interest to women in business. We then have an ABWA member talk for 5-10 minutes, what we call our Member Spotlights, so that we can get to know our members better.  The official meeting concludes at 8:00pm and the after party continues in the Bistro!

3.) How many members, and what industries are represented? What are the most “unique” industries ever represented by members?

We have approximately 60 members representing a wide variety of professions from lawyers and real estate agents to artists to a whole host of entrepreneurs who cover almost every business enterprise from retail stores to technology.  The most unique members that come to mind are a talented jewelry designer, a professional organizer and a fabulous textile artist. Essentially as many industries as there are represented in the community, there are represented in ABWA Cape Cod.  Everyone can benefit from ABWA. We even have retirees who just enjoy the meetings and the community that has formed!

3.) What are some of the events you do year-round for visibility and awareness for your members and women in general?

Thanks to our dedicated members we have really increased our presence in the community over the last few years.  We have a great Public Relations Chair, Erica Waasdorp of A Direct Solution, who is fabulous at publicizing our meetings, events and activities. Also, our Website Chair, Paula Hersey of Penguin Digital Design (AND a Geek Girl presenter!), works tirelessly to keep our website, www.abwacapecod.org, full of up to date useful information for both members and guests alike.

Also, while all of our meetings are open to the public, we also hold two events, our April Open House (April 13th, 2010) and July Golf Outing (July 13th, 2010) where we have an even greater number of guests and community members.  Also (of course!), we partner with like minded organizations such as Geek Girl Camp.

4.) How do you “give back and pay forward” at ABWA Cape Cod?

Our members are very generous at the monthly meetings and at all events by donating to the various raffles and fundraising efforts, proceeds of which go to our Scholarship Fund.  Every year we give out at least three scholarships of $1500 each to Cape Cod women in college or graduate school, as well as $500 to a local organization that helps local women educationally.  Over the years, tens of thousands of dollars have been given out via dozens of scholarships to meritorious Cape Cod women.

5.) What were your thoughts when Geek Girl came to you to partner with Boot Camp in 2009? And what was your reaction when Geek Girl Camp was able to deliver a $1,500 check to you last year for partnering?

We were wicked excited to partner with Geek Girl and were thrilled to be a part of the excitement and energy surrounding the effort.  We had no idea how big it was going to be and how substantially it would benefit everyone in so many ways. We were blown away by both the positive feedback as well as the amount of the check we received as a part of our partnership.  The money from Geek Girl Boot Camp completely supported us adding one more scholarship of $1500. ABWA strives to help women (and their daughters, mothers, sisters, you name it!) through empowerment and education, and so our partnership with Geek Girl Camp is ideal.

6.) What will ABWA Cape Cod be doing at Boot Camp 2010 as an organization? What will each of you be doing that day?

Courtney: I will be manning the ABWA booth and encouraging attendees to come to the ABWA Open House on April 13th, which is free for guests, and a great chance for the ABWA membership to promote itself collectively as well as individually through member booths.

Midge: I will be manning the ABWA booth also and letting everyone know about ABWA, our monthly meetings and how much fellowship you get being a member and attending the meetings. Also how much fun we have together!

Jane: I, too, will be manning the booth primarily chatting it up with member prospects about why ABWA is so fabulous and they should join!  I hope to sneak into a session here or there, too, to enhance my own geek knowledge.

Adrienne: As one-half of the famous “Greek Girls”, I will be meeting, greeting, selling Geek Girl gear and raffle tickets, handing out the awesome swag-bags, and generally keeping the place humming in the background!

7.) What is the Geekiest thing you have ever done that you were so proud of?

We managed to answer the questions for this interview on a three way conference call which we were impressed by! But each of us is also geeky in our special way:

Courtney: I was a Computer Science major in college, so I spent 4 years being full-on geeky.

Midge: We had a workstation crash and I got it back working, it took a long time to figure it out but I did it.

Jane: I set up Skype this week on my laptop and actually brought a friend currently in Florida in on a book club. What fun!  Imagine what my poor kids in college are in for.

Adrienne: I got my 3 year-old Godson in Florida all set up on Skype so we can see each other when we talk – it backfired though; he is less interested in seeing “Auntie A” and more excited to see Ellie, my cat!

8.) What do you hope members of ABWA Cape Cod and other women attending get out of Geek Girl Boot Camp?

Hopefully members will have a chance to broaden their perspective on technology and to realize it is not intimidating. We also hope members will embrace their inner geek and gain confidence in their skills. And of course, get some cool swag as well!

Thanks, Ladies!

Meet Geek Girl Lesa Snider

Posted on February 15, 2010 in Interviews, News, Photoshop | 2 Comments

Photo credit courtesy of Richard and Tanya Hories

Lesa Snider will be teaching all workshops on the Design, Photoshop and Graphic Imagery Series including The Skinny on Great Design, Image Editing Bootcamp with Photoshop Elements, Photoshop: Quick Photo Fixes, Photoshop: Combining Photos and Vectors, and Elements: From Photo to Graphic Art. See all workshops here

1. How and when did you become a Geek Girl?

I have always loved computers and in school I found them fascinating. When I grew up and became a secretary, I delighted in recreating print documents and forms on my computer using WordPerfect for DOS—my daily success was measured by how little I used my typewriter. The only thing I didn’t like was how ugly the programs were: the backgrounds were always black or royal blue, with (full-bodied shudder) red or green type. Some programs allowed a modicum of visual customization, but the danger of damaging your eyesight was prevalent (imagine red type on a royal blue background!). Still, computers were way more fun than typewriters. No more using calculators either! Each time I had to perform a calculation repetitively, I created a spreadsheet that would do it for me. Although I was “Suzy Super Computer-Using Secretary,” I had no clue how the computer actually functioned, nor did I care.

When I saw my first Macintosh, my eyes were wide as saucers. It was colorful! It had little pictures on the desktop! No more black or royal blue screen and funky colored type! (Although with some tweaking in the customization settings you could attain that horrid look.) I don’t know how but that little Mac exuded a feeling of friendliness and ease of use. Even the cables in the back were “picture-coded” to the plugs in which they belonged! As far as the software, I could poke around in any folder on the hard drive, double-click on anything, and the computer told me what that item was used for. If it was something I shouldn’t be messing with, a dialogue box would appear stating, “This extension is used by the system and cannot be opened.” When I wanted to delete something I threw it in the trashcan. And wow, I could open several documents at once, move the windows around, and a word processing document actually looked on screen exactly like it would print.

The Mac seemed logical, pure and simply, and it seemed interesting. I knew at that moment when the time came for me to buy a home computer, I would buy a Macintosh. It would be something I could operate, maintain, and upgrade myself; no need to call the expensive PC technician to come fix my computer. I could install new software, attach new peripherals, and even upgrade the memory all by myself. It was truly a feeling of computing independence and great power.

I proudly brought home my first Macintosh from Montgomery Wards, a beautiful Performa 575, in May of 1993. By the end of the first night I had watched the space shuttle launch via QuickTime movie (albeit postage-stamp size). I had set up all of my personal and business accounting in Quicken, and created myriad word processing documents and forms. I easily constructed a database from which I could generate Christmas card labels and rolodex cards. I even made a template for file folder and hanging file labels to beautify my filing cabinet. That very same night, I contacted Apple about finding a local user group.

In 1995, I quit my secretarial job and started a typing service called Flying Fingers (I’m freakishly fast and accurate) and had a fun two years of typing everything from dissertations to naughty poetry to USDA training workbooks to the journal of a young woman who thought she was being stalked (eek!). As I began to get more requests for graphic design, I enrolled in the Art Institute of Dallas. However, before graduation, I began volunteering for Apple at Macworld Expo in January of 2000 (through a user group contact). I served as a Macworld Expo Tour Guide and became heavily involved with the Mac User Group community. I was newsletter editor, web mistress, and then President of the Cowtown Macintosh Users Group for many years (I created the club’s web site as part of my web development classes at the Art Institute and it won an award at Macworld).

At the height of my user group involvement, I served two years on the Apple Advisory Board (a global organization run by Apple) and was heavily involved in planning several full-day “User Group Universities” which used to take place the day before Macworld. Through my involvement with the Mac community, I met David Pogue (technology columnist for the New York Times and founder the Missing Manual book series) and became his assistant for about six years. David taught me so much about using technology in my life, and has been integral to my success as a writer (though I could have done without the all-nighters here and there when we were trying to finish one of his books!). If I hadn’t gotten interested in the Mac and then gotten involved with the user group community, I wouldn’t have had the opportunities that shaped my career.

2. Technology is so big, so diverse: in what parts are you an expert? in what realms are you still learning?

I stay on top of most things involving the Mac, and as a stock photographer/image editing specialist I stay abreast of the current crop of digital cameras (both the point-and-shoot and interchangeable lens [dSLRs] variety) as well as image editing software. Other technological fetishes (obsessions?) include my TiVo with streaming Netflix, Nintendo Wii, and Garmin GPS (I’d be hardpressed to find my way out of the drive without it!).

I could stand to learn more about prepress (the realm of print), video editing, audio systems, and high-end cocktail mixology :)

3. Did you have an experience growing up or as an adult where you felt the huge divide between women and technology?

Heck yes! I saw women being pigeonholed into secretarial jobs when I was younger, and admittedly that’s what I did until I started my own company in 1995 (in Texas where I grew up, learning to type was the only way to ensure working in air conditioning during the summer!). I think women need more encouragement to get into technology fields and that appears to be happening, but not fast or early enough—you should see the happy dance I do when a female makes the cover of Fast Company magazine!

4. If you answered yes, how did you handle it?

I defied convention and went after a career in the boys’ sandbox anyway. My parents raised me with the notion that I can do or be anything I want, and I took literally. When someone tells me no, it simply means not right now. That’s a philosophy that continues to serve me very well.

5. What was your favorite part of Geek Girl Camp 2009?

The martini Leslie and I had after it was over. Aside from that, the excitement of the women and pure joy on their faces as they gathered in the main lobby at the days’ end. It was incredible! I loved seeing them so happy and empowered about what they had learned. Ideas that seemed far off and impossible now seemed attainable to them. I’ve been to all of the Geek Girl Camps thus far, and the reaction is always the same.

6. List 3 ways that women (or you specifically) can have an impact on technology.

  • Be vocal and give feedback regarding the technology we use and want to use. Take surveys when they’re offered and be sure to check the FEMALE box if it has one.
  • I try to be as visible and accessible as possible in a variety of technology fields.
  • To be a good example for other women wanting to get into writing or speaking about technology.

7. If you could change one thing about the world (and we know you can) what would it be?

Aside from taking siestas like the rest of the civilized world, I’d like to see women get equal pay and as many opportunities as men.

8. What is your desire, wish or goal for Geek Girl Camp 2010?

To drive home the fact that women can do anything they want if they set their mind to it.

9. If the Geek Girls could have 1 minute to talk to the world, what would we say?

That women are passionate and driven learners who place a high value on their skills. If more companies understood this, they’d move more product :)


Lesa Snider’s Bio:

Lesa is on a mission to teach the world to create–and use!–better graphics. She’s a stock photographer and chief evangelist for iStockphoto, and founder of the creative tutorial site GraphicReporter.com. Lesa is the author of Photoshop CS4: The Missing Manual (Pogue Press/O’Reilly) and many video training titles including From Photo to Graphic Art, Practical Photoshop Elements, and Photoshop Elements 8 for Photographers (all by KelbyTraining.com), plus Graphic Secrets for Business Professionals (Lynda.com). She writes a regular column for Photoshop User, Elements Techniques, and Macworld magazines, and contributes frequently to CreativePro.com and Layers. Lesa is also a member of the Photoshop World Dream Team of instructors and can be spotted teaching at other conferences such as Macworld Expo, UCDA Design Conference, Geek Girl Boot Camp, Graphics of the Americas, Santa Fe Workshops and many more. During free time, you’ll find her carving the twisties on her sportbike or hanging with fellow Apple Mac enthusiasts. Lesa is a proud member of the BMWMOA, F800 Riders Club, and CoMUG.

Meet Geek Girl Sue Malomo

Posted on February 8, 2010 in Interviews, News | 1 Comment

Sue Malomo will be teaching workshops on: Using a Mac: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Advanced Google, and jQuery. - See all workshops here

1. How and when did you become a Geek Girl?

Fresh out of college (with a degree in Political Science**) I took a job as an administrative assistant with an architecture firm in Boston. That was my first introduction to the Mac and I never turned back. I happened to fall into the admin position that required Adobe Photoshop and Pagemaker, as well as FileMaker Pro, a desktop database for the Mac. I quickly discovered that I vastly preferred the computer end of my job over the administrative end (answering phones and filing are NOT my strongpoints!). When I left that job I enrolled in a CIS degree at a community college in Programming and found my true calling.

** When I was in high school, debating what major I wanted to study in college, my mom urged me to “go into computers” and I did the typical teenage eye-rolling. “moo-om, computers are so boring. I could never imagine just sitting at a desk typing all day!” Um, obviously you know how this turned out, so clearly my mom was right in the first place. As usual.

I’ve taught CIS courses for several years through Bristol Community College and when I first saw Geek Girl being advertised on the Cape, I knew it was something I wanted to be involved in. I emailed Leslie offering my services and she graciously accepted my offer. Since then, I have met some amazing people through Geek Girl and am so fortunate to be a part of such a great group of women.

2. Technology is so big, so diverse: in what parts are you an expert? in what realms are you still learning?

I do a little bit of almost everything but my main areas of expertise are: Mac software, databases, and HTML/CSS/Javascript and web development using Open Source technologies (such as PHP and MySQL). I’ve taught Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Flash, InDesign and web development courses through Bristol Community College. Someone once asked me “There’s so much to learn, how do you know when you’re done?” and I was shocked. I’m NEVER done learning and it will be a very sad day if I ever decide I’m not going to learn anything new. I’m constantly exploring new programming languages or techniques, new software, etc. This industry is constantly moving, advancing, and expanding. Some are content to sit on the beach and look at the ocean, but I prefer to be right out there in the waves, getting wet.

Did you have an experience growing up or as an adult where you felt the huge divide between women and technology?
NO! I was extremely fortunate to have a mom who taught me there wasn’t anything I couldn’t achieve if I set my mind to it (THANK YOU MOM!). I was a geek girl before I knew what being a geek meant – taking AP physics and AP calculus in high school, and graduating in the top 5% of my class. I took a variety of foreign language courses in high school and college (at one time I was taking German, Japanese, Italian and American Sign Language simultaneously) and a CIS instructor casually commented that foreign languages were very similar to computer programming languages and suggested I should look into it and then I was hooked.

4. If you answered yes, how did you handle it?

I answered no, but… I never considered that girls were any different from boys when it came to what I could do or accomplish. It simply wasn’t within my comprehension that I shouldn’t try certain things – from playing rugby, running a table saw, learning how the engine in my car worked, or excelling at calculus and physics.

5. What was your favorite part of Geek Girl Camp 2009?

Seeing women get excited about technology and learning new skills. My favorite part of teaching is watching someone get the “ah HA!” moment when they figure something out on their own. I hate seeing women give up before they even try something new, just assuming they won’t be able to succeed. Geek Girl is all about helping women build their confidence and get over their fear of new technology so they can go home and learn something new on their own.

6. List 3 ways that women (or you specifically) can have an impact on technology.

  1. I think women bring a variety of skills and expertise that complement those of men. Areas such as usability, user interface, and accessibility need to have  balanced representation in order to create technology that is accessible and usable by everyone.
  2. Women have been responsible for many great discoveries and inventions – getting them more involved in technology can only lead to more and greater advancements for technology in general.
  3. Women who sit by, passively waiting for technology (or society) to adapt to them, are going to be left behind. You need to get out there and make your own advancements – BE the change you want to see. Don’t like something? Change it and blaze your own trail.


7. If you could change one thing about the world (and we know you can) what would it be?

Definitely the gender gap – the perception that women are worth less than men, ability- and salary-wise.  It’s 2010, not 1950! Women are out there in the workforce right alongside men and earnings should be based on performance, not gender. Reading stories such as this from James Chartrand: “Why James Chartrand Wears Women’s Underpants” and Whitney Johnson “Can “Nice Girls” Negotiate?” should make *everyone* outraged, not just the women who are being discriminated against. What type of message are we sending our daughters when we allow manufacturers to discriminate against girls with pink toys being lesser quality than the blue ones? Whether it’s a microscope or handtools, the color (or gender of the intended audience) shouldn’t dictate the power or quality, as indicated in this article on “Careful, Girls! That’s Too Much Power!”.

8. What is your desire, wish or goal for Geek Girl Camp 2010?

For each woman who attends to go home after the Bootcamp and feel confident that they can learn/do anything they set their minds to. And for each of them to convince 5 other women to attend a Bootcamp and feel the same way!

9. If the Geek Girls could have 1 minute to talk to the world, what would we say?

We’re here, and we’re not going anywhere. The time has come for equality. Women of the world: you have a responsibility to yourselves and future generations to stand up and take the initiative if you want things to change.

Sue Malomo’s Bio:
Creating her first professional website in 2000, Sue finally decided to stop doing websites “on the side” and created Falmouth Design, a web design and development company, in 2007. She’s been teaching CIS classes as an adjunct for Bristol Community College for 6 years and now teaches web and multimedia courses online as part of the distance learning program. She’s excited to be part of such a great group of Geek Girls for her second Geek Girl Camp!

Meet Geek Girl June Bertucci

Posted on February 1, 2010 in Interviews, News | 0 Comments

June Bertucci will be teaching workshops on: Becoming Proficient on my PC! and PC Maintenance and Troubleshooting a/k/a Be your own Techie! - See all workshops here

1.      How and when did you become a Geek Girl?

Over 25 years ago at my first real job.  (Not in High School as they were still using manual typewriters waaay back then!) But I took to it from the very beginning…so I consider myself a natural born geek girl! J

2.      Technology is so big, so diverse: in what parts are you an expert? in what realms are you still learning?

All things PCs is one of my strengths the typical stuff virus removal, security, etc but what really thrills me is any kind of data management projects – figuring out the best ways to manage/manipulate data!  WordPress and blogging is my next learning endeavor.

3.      Did you have an experience growing up or as an adult where you felt the huge divide between women and technology?

OMG, yes the worse for me was as a young professional managing the computer operations for an old yankee law firm.   A lot of our outside vendors/salesmen assumed a male was in charge of the firms technology and never directed the conversation towards me, only over me, (I’m kind of short.)…towards whatever male was in proximity.  And yes that “male” often had no idea what was the person was talking about!

4.      If you answered yes, how did you handle it?

I was lucky as I had an awesome woman boss that would let the salesmen know that, IF she liked their product, they still had to convince me of its technology worthiness before we would consider purchasing it.  I knew how to ask the hard questions that let them know the depth of my knowledge of the computer operations.  (which they often couldn’t answer, hehe.)

5.      What was your favorite part of Geek Girl Camp 2009?

The energy level, all day long and especially at the cocktail party, was amazing!

6.      List 3 ways that women (or you specifically) can have an impact on technology.

Be an I.T. professional with integrity
Be a life long learner
Share my knowledge

7.      If you could change one thing about the world (and we know you can) what would it be?

Women would embrace and not fear technology

8.      What is your desire, wish or goal for Geek Girl Camp 2010?

That it will help  women embrace, not fear technology

9.      If the Geek Girls could have 1 minute to talk to the world, what would we say?

That there is power in knowledge and that there is nothing to fear but fear itself -that is especially true when it comes to technology.  Experiment, play and explore technology with all its wonders and it will help lead you forward.

June Bertucci’s Biography:

June Bertucci, President and founder of Small Office Computer Support, has been “getting her geek on” for more than 24 years. As a presenter at the first ever Geek Girl Camp, she can’t wait for the opportunity to share her knowledge of computers and technology at this year’s expanded Geek Girl Boot Camp.  June’s career with technology started out in the early 80’s, when she headed the data operations department of a major bank. It quickly became apparent that she had the magic touch with computers and a natural skill for troubleshooting problems. She went on to manage computer operations on a national level for one of the largest law firms in Boston. In the early nineties June relocated to Cape Cod, where she worked for a hiring process management company that was to become part of Monster.com. Those who work with June enjoy her high energy and enthusiasm, and they gain great peace of mind from her exceptional expertise in technology. June’s goal is to help her clients fully utilize technology. She welcomes the opportunity to bring her extraordinary knowledge to an even wider audience at Geek Girl Boot Camp!

Sweet! No, Sweet Spot!

Posted on January 26, 2010 in Featured, News | 2 Comments

I love the FedEx Man. Every time he comes to my door, I do the happy dance. Today was no exception. Look what Mr. FedEx Man brought me today:

Our Sweet Spot putters are from Geek Girl’s new best friend, Brian Allman from Sweet Spot Golf! And man, are they sweet!

Sweet Spot is one of our Sponsors this year for Geek Girl Boot Camp Cape Cod 2010, and we cannot thank Brian enough for getting involved. He is definitely one of the good guys.

Brian found our blog and left a sweet message about what a great job we were doing. Several emails later, we became friends. And as soon as I saw the pink and black clubs, I knew he needed to be involved. And not just because Geek Girls love Golf, but because he liked what we were doing and was smitten by our charm. And our mission, of course.

These Sweet Spot putters are going to be in our Scholarship Raffle at Geek Girl Camp, but you gotta play to win! If you are still thinking about coming to Boot Camp, picture yourself stopping by our putting green and take a chance at winning one of these sweet babies. But you have to register soon as spots are filling up!

For those of you who cannot come to Boot Camp, please support Sweet Spot Golf and Brian; he is a hard-working entrepreneur trying to make it in the very difficult and competitive world of golf clubs and he needs our support. Brian and Sweet Spot Golf  is also a proud sponsor of the National Breast Cancer Foundation. He does care about women.

So next time you are looking for golf clubs, give Sweet Spot a chance. Tell everyone you know about them. After all, Brian supports women’s programs like Geek Girl Camp and women’s health. And for that, we love Sweet Spot and Brian.

Thanks, Brian.

Meet Geek Girl Julie Brooks

Posted on January 18, 2010 in Interviews, News | 0 Comments

Julie Brooks will be teaching workshops on: Internet Marketing – See all workshops here


1. How and when did you become a Geek Girl?

In 1995 when I got onto the Internet using Compuserve and 14.4 baud modem.   Compared to using Google today with a broadband connection, it sucked, but of course I didn’t know it at the time. It was a life-changing moment.

2. Technology is so big, so diverse: in what parts are you an expert? in what realms are you still learning?

I’m an expert at helping small businesses succeed on the web.  Still have a lot to learn about mobile communication technology.

3. Did you have an experience growing up or as an adult where you felt the huge divide between women and technology?

Not really.   I believe that the same percentage of men as women are computer-challenged.   The only difference is, women will actually admit that they don’t know things and will attempt to educate themselves by going to Geek Girl Camp, taking classes, etc.  Men will simply find rationalizations for why they don’t need new technology.

4. If you answered yes, how did you handle it?

By asking questions and educating myself.

5. What was your favorite part of Geek Girl Camp 2009?

The after party at Ardeo.

6. List 3 ways that women (or you specifically) can have an impact on technology.

  1. We can provide feedback to manufacturers and entrepreneurs on ways that technology can help with all the things women have to do in addition to working–child care, housekeeping, etc.
  2. We can help our work environments integrate technological changes.
  3. In lockstep, we can make or break Facebook or whatever replaces Facebook.

7. If you could change one thing about the world (and we know you can) what would it be?

I would eliminate poverty by educating and empowering women and also making small loans available to women in poor countries so they can help themselves.  No more foreign aid to the corrupt men running these countries.   They’ve screwed it up for far too long!

8. What is your desire, wish or goal for Geek Girl Camp 2010?

That the attendees put into action what they have learned and tell GGC specific things they learned that had a positive impact on their business.

9. If the Geek Girls could have 1 minute to talk to the world, what would we say?

Embrace change.

Julie Brooks Biography:

Julie Brooks has lived in Brewster since 1993 and has run eCape, an website design and marketing company, since 1996. Passionate about helping small businesses succeed on the web,  she is married and at last count, had two school-age children, three cats, a rabbit and a mouse.

Ways you can help in Haiti

Posted on January 15, 2010 in News | 1 Comment

We have assembled a list where you can help online or from a mobile device – use these and watch out for the scams.
Please use #Haiti if you tweet this.

Here is a great post on how the text messages work and the promise from the cell companies they are not taking a cut, however the money may be delayed in getting to Haiti.

Haiti Text Donation Campaigns Face 90-Day Delays



How you can help:

Websites:

Yele Haiti – http://www.yele.org
AmeriCares – http://www.americares.org
Friends of the World Food Program – http://www.friendsofwfp.org
ONEXONE – http://www.onexone.org
Pan American Development Foundation – http://www.padf.org
Airline Ambassadors – http://www.airlineamb.org
The Belinda Stronach Foundation – http://www.tbsf.ca
StillerStrong – http://www.stillerstrong.org

Text Messages:

•Text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross
•Text HAITI to 25383 to donate $5 to International Rescue Committee
•Text HAITI to 45678 to donate $5 to the Salvation Army in Canada
•Text YELE to 501501 to donation $5 to Yele
•Text HAITI to 864833 to donate $5 to The United Way
•Text CERF to 90999 to donate $5 to The United Nations Foundation
•Text DISASTER to 90999 to donate $10 to Compassion International

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