GirlGeek of the Week
May 2001

Lili von Schtupp

Though she didn't realize it at the time, Lili Von Schtupp was a kid with tech aspiration. Having mastered her Atari, Genesis, Nintendo, and programming her VCR, Lili went on to run her own business, which made prodigious use of computers. When she investigated creating a Web site for her business, her life spiraled into the Web. She ended up at Online Today, Inc. working her way up to the title of Producer. Lili says, "You have to see what you want and go for it. Anything is possible."

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

It hit me like a ton of bricks when I realized I refuse to buy a purse that doesn't have enough room for my web enabled palm, a folding keyboard and my cell phone. I even have an e-holster for traveling and when we do remote broadcasts!

I am obsessed with toys: Rio, IJam, mini disc, digital cameras, Wacom tablets, CDRs, etc. How did we ever live with out this stuff?

How do you earn a living?

I produce Online Tonight with David Lawrence, a nationally syndicated terrestrial radio show heard on 80+ radio stations. We deal with all the issues that affect people in the high tech sector. Every day I follow what is happening with new products, review them for the show, deal with all the major tech companies, and I book great guests from all the high tech/Internet companies. I'm what you call the woman behind the man. [grin] I work with one of the best radio personalities today, David Lawrence — he is a tech guru. I am so lucky to live the life I have. I get to experience so much of it and share it too.

I also work for another radio show that Online Today, Inc produces, the Net Music Countdown. The show tracks the music that is streamed, sold and (legally) downloaded from the web. I get to work with the unsigned bands that are gathering a following on the web. We feature a "Net Unknown" every week. It is so cool to watch these great bands as they grow. Fisher was the first one we featured back in October of 1999. Look at them now!

Do you consider yourself a Geek?

Yes, I'm certainly not a super-techno-write-my-own-program-in-cold-fusion-from-scratch kinda geek, but I love the technology. I am amazed by the ability to create something from a bunch of zeros and ones. When you think about the kinds of entertainment, education, games, ideas, and information that can be created on computers and shared on the web...WOW!

What is your favorite Website?

GirlGeeks. (not a suck up--what you are doing do help women empower themselves is great.)

google.com is a must have for my job. I can find anything I am looking for in under three seconds.

fuckedcompany.com, I know some people can be really offended by Pud and his site but face it, the truth hurts sometimes...and it can be very funny! Spending a million dollars on a launch party, you deserve to be made vicious fun of!

modernhumorist.com one of the very best satirical humor sites around.

Oh, of course...online-tonight.com and netmusiccountdown.com <smile>

What do you do when you are not working?

LOL, I work in radio...my life is work.

What's your motto?

You can never own too many shoes or high tech toys!

Who would play you in a movie about your life?

Sophie Tucker would be my first choice, but I think her performance would be...well...stiff. Sadly, Madeline Kahn and Gilda Radner have both passed away too, so I guess it would be Judy Tenuta or Janeane Garofalo. Good luck getting either of them to wear the high heels and the headset!

What would be the title of your autobiography?

My Life, My Terms!

Who is the person you most admire?

My mom. She has a laugh that is infectious. A heart bigger than anyone I know, and a beauty that glows from her soul. Without her guidance and strength, I don't think I'd be the person I am today.

When and where were you the happiest?

Here and now. Life only happens once, enjoy it while you're living the moment.

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

The ability to type as fast as I think! [smirk]