Mayumi Nakamura
Mayumi Nakamura

Born and raised in Japan, Mayumi Nakamura found a home in the Pacific Northwest, moving to Portland and earning a Bachelor of Arts in English and Master’s in Business Administration at Portland State University.

In 1993, she found a home at the company she would eventually run.

Nakamura, who is GeekWire’s latest Geek of the Week, joined the web hosting and internet solutions company Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSP) as a software export sales manager, and over the years worked her way up by supporting various departments. Founded in 1987, the company is now headquartered in Bellevue, Wash.

“After being named vice president and chief operating officer, I overtook daily operations of the business — focusing on developing and furthering opportunities in the U.S. markets,” Nakamura said.

“In 2009, I became president and chief executive officer, and today I manage and direct the overall growth of the company and its subsidiaries — including domain, email and website provider Dreamersi; website developer WebdeXpress; ad-free blogging platform Bloguru; and email marketing system NewsMail. Currently, we have more than 40,000 customers in the U.S. and worldwide.”

Nakamura loves animals, ice cream and the internet. Learn more about this week’s Geek of the Week, Mayumi Nakamura:

What do you do, and why do you do it? “As president and CEO of PSP, I run a team of more than 50 in-house website designers, developers and customer service staff who are dedicated to helping small businesses accomplish their digital needs. As part of my role, I firmly believe that technology should be easy and affordable for businesses of all sizes, and at PSP we strive to help businesses thrive in the online world.”

What’s the single most important thing people should know about your field? “I believe it is incredibly important to know and remember that things can be explained in simple terms to almost everyone. Sometimes we make the technology we’re offering sound so much more complicated than it actually is.”

Where do you find your inspiration? “I find Inspiration within — by dreaming of new and simple ways to operate and use technology.”

What’s the one piece of technology you couldn’t live without, and why? “The internet. It keeps us connected to information and empowers us with the vast array of knowledge that is held throughout in the world.”

What’s your workspace like, and why does it work for you? “My workplace is a simple — a desk coupled with lots of doggy staff. Our office dogs help to keep us calm and genuine both in our internal interactions and with our customers.”

A small pup checks out the party scene in Mayumi Nakamura’s office at PSP. (Photo courtesy of Mayumi Nakamura)

Your best tip or trick for managing everyday work and life. (Help us out, we need it.) “My tip is also simple! Get up early and make sure to plan ahead.”

Mac, Windows or Linux? “Mac.”

Kirk, Picard, or Janeway? “Picard.”

Transporter, Time Machine or Cloak of Invisibility? “Transporter.”

If someone gave me $1 million to launch a startup, I would … “Start a doggy restaurant! I love animals.”

I once waited in line for … “The First Haagen Daz ice cream store to open in Tokyo. It was delicious!”

Your role models: “My grandpa — he was a man of action.”

Greatest game in history: “‘Marathon’ (Bungie).”

Best gadget ever: “Smart phones.”

First computer: “Apple II.”

Current phone: “iPhone X.”

Favorite cause: “Animal rescue and protection. I am a big supporter of The Humane Society.”

Most important technology of 2016: “Artificial Intelligence.”

Most important technology of 2018: “Quantum computers.”

Final words of advice for your fellow geeks: “Enjoy and be thankful for those technologies which lead us to today.”

Website: Pacific Software Publishing Inc.

LinkedIn: Mayumi Nakamura

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