Helga Pearson, Geek Girls SA
Name: Helga Pearson
Designation: Marketing Consultant/Content Developer/Social Media Manager
Company: Redbrick Online (Online Business Developer)
What do you do every day? The list of what I DON’T do every day would be much shorter! This is a common occurrence with nearly all tech start-up companies. First employees tend to be generalists. With any new brands that we develop for the online market, I am involved in the initial strategic planning and development as well as the content creation and subsequent marketing.
This year with SnowReport.co.za I have also taken up the role of social media manager, which has been challenging but also really exciting!
In a social capacity I’m also the founder of Geek Girls SA. I just felt there wasn’t any local organisation in South Africa that represented woman who are passionate about all things geeky – tech, sci-fi, fantasy and gaming. My heroes are Felicia Day and Wil Wheaton, individuals who have turned being quirky and different into a movement and thriving community. That’s my vision for Geek Girls SA – let’s build a South African community online and in real life with women who aren’t afraid to be smart and who are proud of their geeky fandoms and hobbies.
How did you get into the tech space? I started my career in advertising at TBWA Hunt Lascaris and took a break for a few years to raise my son, Ethan. I’m actually surprised I didn’t venture into tech and online marketing sooner as I have always been a bit of a nerdy web addict.
What was the best advice anyone ever gave you? “We’re all stories, in the end. Just make it a good one.” Okay, it’s a Doctor Who quote (I told you I’m a geek) but it’s also brilliant life advice! You only get one chance to live this particular life, so make it the best story ever!
What advice would you give someone wanting to get into the tech sector? We are living in an adventurous time in the digital landscape of South Africa. The horizons are rolling out before us and we get to choose how to shape and create them as we go. Now is the time to plant your flag and start building.
Be an online entrepreneur; come up with a solution to a problem; design an app; work for a digital agency and gain some experience – There are so many avenues currently available to join up with the information super highway right now, just pick one and go for it!
What motivates you to get out of bed everyday? I’m a natural enthusiast; I find something to get motivated about in nearly everything. Working for a digital start-up is the best place to be for me because there is something new to tackle or something new to learn all the time.
Who do you want to be when you grow up? The Mother of Dragons… Ha! No wait, I never really want to grow up so that’s a trick question. 🙂
Find me on:
Twitter: @HelgaTheGeek
Website: www.geekgirls.co.za
About The Author: Samantha
Samantha Perry is the JHB Agency Lead for Irvine Partners, an integrated public relations and marketing agency. She previously worked as a freelance journalist, and has over 20 years' of experience writing for a range of media - print and online - mainly in the ICT sector. She has written for Brainstorm magazine, Mail & Guardian, several niche B2B titles and several corporate clients. She also has a Masters degree in ICT Policy & Regulation, and serves on the IAB SA Marketing Council as the PR rep. She has worked as an independent telecoms researcher for some of the analyst houses in that field and was regularly called upon to comment on telecoms issues in the press. Nowadays she can be found commenting on women in tech issues in the press and speaking at conferences on the subject and the issues women in the sector face.
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