Teach the Geek: Public Speaking and Communication Skills for Technical Professionals

To put it plainly, COVID-19 is screwing over many people. Companies are going under. People are losing their jobs. We’re all stuck inside. We’re wearing masks everywhere we go. It all can seem so defeating. The government is working to provide Americans with resources so we can weather the storm. I spoke with Jamye Pritchett Solorzano of the SBA about programs and resource partners available to small businesses, independent contractors, and the self employed to get through these tough times. PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program-ppp ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN (EIDL): https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/economic-injury-disaster-loan-emergency-advance SBA EXPRESS BRIDGE LOANS: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/sba-express-bridge-loans SBA DEBT RELIEF: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/sba-debt-relief PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS (San Diego centered, but I'm sure they can direct you to your local org): San Diego SCORE Chapter 0140  (858) 283-1100 score0140@scorevolunteer.org http://www.sandiego.score.org   San Diego and Imperial Women's Business Center (WBC)  (619) 216-6719 kibarra@swccd.edu www.sandiegowbc.org SOCAL VBOC - Veterans Business Outreach Center (760) 795-8739 SoCalVboc@miracosta.edu http://www.socalvboc.org/  South San Diego SBDC (Net.) (619) 482-6388 (SSD) (619) 482-6391  (Net.) dfitzgerald@swccd.edu (SSD) sdsbdc@swccd.edu  (Net.) https://www.sdivsbdc.org/ (SSD)  www.sandiegosbdc.org

Barbara Khozam, starting out her career as a chemist, now works as a professional speaker who speaks primarily on customer service. We chatted about her transition from chemistry, the service she provides to companies, and her best tips on public speaking.  Get in touch with Barbara at https://barbarakhozam.com/ TEACH THE GEEK  teachthegeek.com youtube.teachthegeek.com @teachthegeek (FB, Twitter) @_teachthegeek_ (IG)

Adam Malofsky is a speaker and the Managing Director of Elemence LLC, which consults with a variety of industries.  We spoke about his job as a Managing Director, his previous stops and how they prepared him for his current gig, and public speaking, of course. TEACH THE GEEK teachthegeek.com youtube.teachthegeek.com @teachthegeek (FB, Twitter) @_teachthegeek_ (IG)

Kim Stuck is the Founder and CEO of Allay Cannabis Consulting, a consultancy that helps cannabis sellers with cannabis compliance. I was very interested to find out how she went from working for the Man as a health inspector to working against the Man as an ally for cannabis sellers.  Learn more about Kim at https://allayconsulting.com/ TEACH THE GEEK teachthegeek.com youtube.teachthegeek.com @teachthegeek (FB, Twitter) @_teachthegeek_ (IG)

Landi James is a software engineer who is community minded. In addition to her work at FDA, she founded the DNAwesome STEM club to promote STEM primarily to minority students. We chatted about her interest in computers, her job at the FDA, and her motivation for starting the DNAwesome STEM Club. TEACH THE GEEK teachthegeek.com youtube.teachthegeek.com @teachthegeek (FB, Twitter) @_teachthegeek_ (IG)