Girls In Tech

The Girls in Tech network is full of wonderful and inspiring women from all professions, background and walks of life. I thought that from time to time it might be interesting to profile members and I thought I would start with a Q&A with Chelsea Rustrum. I cannot tell you how Santa Cruz is buzzing about this wonderfully bright and very accomplished woman.

When Chelsea was in 8th grade, her brother challenged her to learn how to build web sites and use technology but refused to give her “ANY” guidance. Up to the challenge, she built her first site and learned how to upload it within 24 hours of reading forums, tutorials, and help sites. Now, that’s my kind of ambition.

Here are excerpts from the Q & A:

Q: What do you do for a living?
CR: I am self-employed. I founded Free Mania, an online Free Stuff portal in 1997. Free Mania provides a community for individuals interested in saving money and trying products before buying them. I also do larger marketing contracts including strategy and execution utilizing SEO, social media, and fully integrated campaigns.

Q: What do you do on a day to day basis at work?
CR: Every day is different, but I try to focus on revenue generating activities as much as possible. My day-to-day activities include everything from creating content, to working with developers, to building out my social media strategy, etc. I also reach out to form partnerships with sites that can offer my visitors value. Currently, I’m also working on moving Free Mania over to the Drupal platform.

Q: Where did you go to college and why?
CR: I went to college at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. I applied because of their teaching philosophy and utilization of technology in business. The beach, the rolling green mountains, and the small town atmosphere didn’t hurt either.

Q: Where are you from?
CR: I am from Rogue River, OR.

Q: What did the path look like that brought you into your profession?
CR: I was always a bargainer by nature. I’d tell my mom what was cheaper by the ounce at the grocery store when I was 6 years old. When the Internet first graced our household in 1997 when I was 14, the first thing I typed into the search engines was “free stuff.” There were only a handful of freebie sites at the time, so it just seemed natural to start Free Mania.
I also had my hand as a Marketing Programs Manager for ClickTracks Web Analytics from 2006-2008.
Since then, I’ve done contract work for many companies, developing and executing an effective online marketing strategy.

Q: When did you decide you wanted to be a “girl in tech”?
CR: I don’t think I decided. I am naturally a girl in tech, so it just sort of fit.

Q: Can you recall a particular time where you thought being a woman inhibited your career?
CR: I think you just have to be outspoken. If you know what you want, make it clear. So no, I can’t really remember a time when I thought being a woman inhibited my career.

Q: If you could give 3 tips to young girls interested in tech, what would they be?
CR: 1.) If you don’t know the answer, you can find out. Keep trying until you find the answer. Use your resources, find mentors, ask for help, and above all, be wiling to uncover answers all on your own. If you remain determined, you can accomplish and learn nearly anything.
2.) Find something you’re crazy passionate about and throw yourself into it without expectation of compensation. If you do what you love, the money will come.
3.) Don’t every let anyone tell you can’t do anything. The sky is the limit if you believe it is.