Ramona Nichols

Experience

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  Suarez Corporation Industries

  Jan 1994 - Jan 1999

  Copywriter / Early Interweb Adopter

  In 1994 I was given the opportunity to be part of the research and development team that created an early internet portal site dubbed CyberCity Online. In its genesis, CyberCity offered its subscribers a localized alternative to AOL, Prodigy and CompuServe. It provided a broad range of services including local news, weather, shopping, chat rooms, games, and slightly delayed real-time travel info.My official title was Copywriter. I was responsible for writing copy for the overall site. I was trained in traditional direct mail marketing techniques, and had to adapt that training to fit an untested communication medium. It was an exciting time that taught me the importance of keeping skills current, flexible and relevant. I was also tasked with the design of CyberCity's User Interface. I incorporated usability principles learned from Jakob Nielsen, one of the web's early user-centered methodology gurus. From this experience, I gained a life-long love of beautiful user-friendly design. It is upon that solid foundation that I still start each new project. Show less

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  ACNielsen Homescan & Spectra

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2006

  Software Quality Assurance Engineer

  That's geek-speak for someone who tests software all day. My job was to ferret out bugs so our customers didn't have to. Did you know when a customer calls to report a bug, an angel loses its wings? - aka the tester! It was a cool gig. I learned a ton of stuff. I worked with interesting people from the Consumer Packaged Goods Industry (fancy term for the stuff we buy in the grocery store – Coca Cola, Kraft Mac & Cheese, Frito Lay Chips). Those CPG guys hang out with another cool set of folks known as statisticians. They massage data all day. They have brains the size of Rhode Island. They work with really neat software called SAS – Statistical Analysis System. I had to work closely with these guys, and some of their brilliance rubbed off on me. I learned basic procedural programming techniques! Once the stat guys get through massaging the data, they throw it off to DBAs, aka Database Administrators. I had to work even closer with these dudes and dolls. They work with the really geeked out software apps Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server. They have equally big brains and I learned a truckload. They showed me the secret world of SQL (Structured Query Language) and how to make magical stuff happen with Oracle and MS SQL Server. Finally there were the programmers whose programming babies I was out to break. Even though they hated to see me come bearing bug gifts, they were kind enough to show me cool stuff about Visual Basic, Java and C++. It's not often you get to work in an environment of such varied intelligentsia. I left this job much smarter than when I started. Most important, I took with me the skills to work successfully with distinctly different sets of people. Thank you, Nielsen! Show less

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  Inspired Creatives Interactive

  Feb 2006 - Jan 2012

  Web Designer

  Inspired Creatives Interactive specializes in providing cost-effective online communication and marketing strategies for small businesses. We specialize in Adobe Flash interactive content; Wordpress, Wordpress Multisite, Buddypress, Joomla, and Drupal Content Management Systems; custom Facebook pages and social media marketing; as well as graphic design. We are a Mac and Adobe shop, designing with Dreamweaver, Flash, Photoshop, Fireworks and Illustrator.

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  International Virtual Assistants Association

  Jan 2012 - Jan 2015

  Staff Assistant - Infusionsoft Newsletters
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  Geek Gal Friday

  Jan 2012 - Jun 2016

  Founder

  Cloaked with nerdy-knowledge super powers, Geek Gal Friday consistently swooped in to rescue small business professionals from tech hell, marketing automation overwhelm and website pandemonium. Client summits conquered include: • Wordpress website design, theme customization and maintenance; • Infusionsoft marketing campaign design and implementation; • WooCommerce and Shopify eCommerce store setup and customization; • Thinkific, OptimizePress and Memberium membership site setup and customization.Specialties: Wordpress, HTML5, CSS3, WooCommerce, Shopify, Thinkific Show less

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  Keap

  Sept 2015 - Nov 2017

  ICP
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  Inspired Creatives Studio

  Jun 2016 - now

  Founder

  We are an artisanal website design shop handcrafting bespoke user experiences for small business. We create brand identities, strategic websites and digital marketing campaigns that help turn casual visitors into loyal customers.