WhatsItLike: Interviews of interesting people

74 Aaron Fulkerson

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

What’s it like to start a company from scratch?

Aaron grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area but now lives in San Diego. So he’s a west coast guy who went to school in N. Carolina. His grandfather introduced him to a wide range of philosophical ideas. But instead of becoming a philosopher, Aaron got excited about computers. He boot-strapped his company which now successfully helps other companies manage their corporate knowledge base.

Use the player below or click this link: Aaron Fulkerson Interview

73 Louis Kim

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:47:19 +0000

What’s it like to be an engineer-MBA?

This is a story of an Asian kid growing up in Texas. It’s not easy being the wrong color for everyone else. But Louis Kim survived childhood by being bright, articulate and creative. You expect the first from an engineer, the second from a manager, and the third from a designer. Louis combines them all.

Use the player below or click this link: Louis Kim Interview

72 Julie Flagg

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:46:31 +0000

What’s it like to be a physician?

When it came time to start her medical practice, Julie Flagg returned to the small town she grew up in. She likes to stay up on the latest medical info and yet be able to go out and milk the cow. If you’d like a busy-relaxed life (or is that relaxed-busy), Dr. Julie might be living the life you want to lead.

Use the player below or click this link: Julie Flagg Interview

71 David Allen

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:00:02 +0000

What’s it like to be a consultant?

This is a story of how a kid from the South being raised by his windowed mother figures out who he is. Once he’s figured out his edges, he discovers his calling: helping others be more productive. David Allen is best known for his book Getting Things Done. But there’s more to the man. Oh, and Happy Birthday, David.

Use the player below or click this link: David Allen Interview

70 Denise Jacobs

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 02:50:47 +0000

What’s it like to be a web designer?

If you like CSS, html and other random letter combinations, you’ll like Denise Jacobs. She not only knows what they mean but she’s written the book on it (The CSS Detective Guide). Her Dad had a passion for flying but Denise prefers web design, writing, speaking and everything creative.

Use the player below or click this link: Denise Jacobs Interview

69 Ken Ramirez

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:05:13 +0000

What’s it like to work in an aquarium?

This is the story of how a kid from rural Texas moves to Chicago to work with exotic animals. When Ken Ramirez was young, his parents repeatedly moved to individually pursue their graduate degrees. It was hard on him. So naturally when he got old enough he did the same thing. Ken has worked many exotic animals but has settled in Chicago, taking care of the 20k residents of the Shedd Aquarium.

Use the player below or click this link: Ken Ramirez Interview

68 Jennifer Carrasco

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:00:11 +0000

What’s it like being a muralist?

Alki is a little peninsula with beautiful view of Seattle. It’s a great place to be an artist. And it’s the place where Jennifer Carrasco paints murals. As a child, she learned to paint on large pieces of newsprint. It must have been formative because she continues to paint large, up to 30×40 feet.

Use the player below or click this link: Jennifer Carrasco Interview

67 Victoria Ransom

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:18:29 +0000

What’s it like being a CEO?

This is the story of how a smart girl from the farmland of New Zealand goes off to explore the world. On the way, she learns to surf, starts a travel biz, gets a Harvard MBA, and becomes CEO of her own marketing software company. Wildfire Interactive is the name of her company, and not a bad description of her life.

Use the player below or click this link: Victoria Ransom Interview

66 Michele Pouliot

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:00:13 +0000

What’s it like training dogs for the blind?

You may have seen the video Michele and her dog Listo doing a free-style routine (if not, check it out). It’s a great example of animal training that would be impossible without using a clicker and reinforcement theory. Free style is Michele at play. For work, Michele is the Director of Research and Development for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Use the player below or click this link: Michele Pouliot Interview

65 Mark Ulriksen

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:50:32 +0000

What’s it like being an illustrator?

If you like the cover art on the cover of New Yorker magazine, you like Mark Ulriksen’s work. He is an artist, painter, illustrator, and lover of baseball and dogs. His subjects are often famous people. And I’m going to commission Mark to paint my portrait…just as soon as I’m rich and famous.

Use the player below or click this link: Mark Ulriksen Interview