April 24, 2017

Meet Kerry Grimes of Digital Duchess in Santa Monica

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kerry Grimes.

Kerry, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
How did I become a girl geek? Well it was not a childhood dream to enter into the science of technology, I don’t think there are many girls at that time that carried that vision. But I always felt extremely comfortable around computers and possessed the ability to figure out solutions to the machines that were constantly causing problems.

I was pursuing a degree in Business Management, working in Administration at a mortgage company when I was asked to help with the technical demands of very large clients.

Overnight I went from Admin Assistant to Manager of Information Systems and so my love and ease with computers began. I began pursuing jobs in the field and ran IT Departments for small businesses and non-profits for a decade until I decided to branch out and start my own business. For four years I moonlighted, taking independent clients on nights and weekends while still maintaining my full-time job, so needless to say had zero personal life.

The work paid off when I was finally secure enough to leave my full-time position and pursue my own company offering computer services for home and small business users. I quickly became the technical guru for small businesses and home users throughout Los Angeles.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Oh goodness are there any smooth roads? If you know of one, can you point me in that direction?!? But seriously, every day presents a new challenge especially working with computers. Those beasts do not behave the way we expect or want them to and a lot of time there is no rhyme or reason to it. You don’t know how many times I have heard “It was working fine this morning”. And we are so reliant on technology we really need it to function properly or our life, or business and livelihood can be horribly disrupted. I fully understand that and carry each and every emergency that appears with crucial importance and understanding.

Being a person who thrives on action and solutions and accomplishments the line of work is just perfect for me. I would get bored if my life involved just a few simple tasks.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Digital Duchess – what should we know?
Digital Duchess is incredibly unique because it is founded and run by women. It is still a mystery as to why women in this particular field is an anomaly. The percentage of women in the IT sector is still so underrepresented versus their men counterparts. It is similar to medicine 50 years ago. I have always envisioned Digital Duchess offering a space for smart, technically savvy women to enter the field and have a place to flourish. That is my biggest difference to other consulting firms.

We don’t have any area that I’m a complete specialist in… staying with the medicine analogy, Digital Duchess is more like the primary physician vs the optometrist. We handle all basic daily needs that arise relating to technology. Anything from training to troubleshooting, installation to networking, smart phones to printers, Apple and Microsoft we can solve. If a client needs more specialized support such as a web designer or database engineer we work with them on the project, finding individuals amongst or large database of professionals, until completion. This way they maintain a personalized contact and relationship with a firm they trust

I am proud of Digital Duchess being in business since 1999. I am almost on the 20-year mark and it is just incredible that I have fostered and managed the successful operation of this business for that long. I feel incredibly grateful beyond proud that I get to work with some of the city’s most amazing individuals and help them obtain their goals.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
That is just what I was beginning to say…my clients are for sure who I give complete credit to. Each and every individual I have met in my work is so unique and range from lawyers, to car salesmen, to doctors and housekeepers. I strive myself on forging a relationship with them so I can understand their needs and provide the best service and solutions. With so much difference there is also the underlying awesomeness of each and every one of them. Again, I just feel real blessed that I get to do what I love and work with the people I do. I am so thankful for that!

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