GirlGeek of the Week
August 2000

Doree Taylor

As a young professional vocalist with a flair for promotions, Doree Taylor usually ended up running the "PR departments" for each of the bands she gigged with. Through these projects Doree discovered that self-expression came easy with a computer and she developed a savvy design eye. More importantly, her work brought gigs and new fans. So she decided to become a freelance promoter.

While Doree did not have the spare time or money to invest in a "proper" computing education, persistence and creativity brought the PR guru 10-plus years of success and she is now expanding to the Internet.

"I find JOY in the artistic outlet of it all. I just like to make stuff! My work keeps improving, and I definitely keep learning MORE, so maybe I'm starting to get kind of good at this computer thing too!"
            --Doree Taylor

How do you earn a living?

I have 10-plus years experience freelancing in public relations, marketing research, fundraising and special promotions. Also, I have been professional entertainer for 15 years, with entertainment booking and artist promotion experience. I frequently teach adult education courses on "self-promotion".

Do you consider yourself a Geek?

I've learned a great deal doing what I do, and I often have answers to tech questions from my friends or family. Plus, for all that I do not know, I'm pretty good at teaching myself, little-by-little!

When I took the Geek-O-Meter test a couple of months ago, my score landed me on the lowest level of "real geeks." I guess that's about where I'd place myself, too--intermediate and advancing by force of will!

What is your favorite Website?

AskMe.com has kept me VERY busy. I am a promotions expert there and give advice to those who seek. I really enjoy the challenge of fielding unexpected questions and relating my experience to others. It keeps my head tuned to the multi-faceted game of promoting.

What do you do when you're not working?

When I'm not working, I'm "working in my head" while doing other things. Sometimes I will wake at odd hours with just the idea I was stuck for! Being the mother of twin toddlers means "playing for play's sake," again, too, which is good for me. I enjoy hiking, camping and diggin' in the dirt a lot! And I'm still very involved with my music, even though live performing ’til 2 a.m. is currently on the back burner.

What's your motto?

"Whether you think you can, or think you can't -- you're probably right!" --Henry Ford

Who would play you in a movie about your life?

Meg Ryan! And I just "quizzed" my husband at broom handle-point, and he agrees, "she's PERFECT for the part!" If Meg's too busy, we'll try to get Goldie Hawn.

Who is the person you most admire?

Mom. She's done a lot of living and been through a lot, but somehow managed to stay true to herself. Friendly, resourceful, generous of heart and spirit, self-disciplined, and ever young at heart, my Mom cuts quite a profile!

What would be the title of your autobiography?

"Courage To Create" OR "How I survived the ’Average World’ despite my ’Alternative Ways’!"

When and where were you the happiest?

When I lived in a grass house with my parents in the Bush Country of Cameroon, Africa, during my junior high years. When I traveled extensively on several different music tours throughout Japan, and the Asian Pacific. And when a very talented jazz fusion band I was in had it's hey-day, performing regularly at top venues in Southern California. Of course, what makes you happy changes with maturity. Now, I focus on happy times with my kids.

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

Super power sounds dangerous, so we'd better leave me as I am -- a perpetual student of all!