GirlGeek of the Week
April 2001

JoAnna Minneci

JoAnna Minneci says her first Web site was an "embarrassing" attempt at getting acting jobs for her pet iguana, Fluffy. In the hopes of exalting Fluffy to the status of great mascot on the level of Spuds Mackenzie, JoAnna hand coded a few pages and sent some friends there. The site is still up and gets lots of hits, though Fluffy's career has stalled of late.

Those reptilian years were followed by some highly evolved projects. JoAnna impressed with an HR consulting Web site and drew the attention of other companies who enlisted her services as a Web producer. Thus, she started Target Design to devote all her time to the Web.

When did you first discover your love and/or obsession with computers and technology?

All my life, I've been taking things apart to see how they work. My father taught me how to solder, so I could fix my ever-broken walkman myself. My first computer experience was with a TRS80 in grade school. I learned how to program in BASIC and got pretty good at it. I've been a geek for a long time coming. Now I've got four Macs and a PC, and *all* the toys and accessories to go with them.

How do you earn a living?

Depending on the season, either as a Website Designer or as a Human Resources consultant. Since I'm self-employed, I can do both or either. Or neither...but I love the work I do so I do it as much as possible.

Do you consider yourself a Geek?

Specifically, a web-geek! I set up a webcam, and made a frame-enabled Web site with live chat and ICQ and a BLOG. It's a little odd, to create a "shrine" to myself, but it's fun to cram so much technology on to one little page!

What is your favorite Website?

Peterzale.com/helen is the Web site for Helen, Sweetheart of the Internet. It's a comic strip that will hit real close for home for girl geeks! I have procrastinated many a project reading and re-reading those comics. I also enjoy the silly flash animations at KingCrow.com.

What do you do when you are not working?

NETworking. I really love meeting new people and developing friendships or business contacts. I've even created a virtual social club, for networking events in Southern California: SoCalNetworking.org.

What's your motto?

There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from. — Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Who would play you in a movie about your life?

That's an easy one. Parker Posey.

What would be the title of your autobiography?

You Can't Keep Pulling Out The Radishes

When and where were you the happiest?

Every time I get in my little red Miata, and I drive around Los Angeles with the top down.

If you could have one super power what would it be?

I wanna cross my arms over my chest, blink real hard, and when I opened my eyes, my chores would be done...especially my filing!