Baltimore Geek surmounts computer stereotypes (8/03)

When Laura McInerney tells people that she?s a bona fide computer geek, she usually receives strange looks. As she and her female peers have learned first-hand, the computer industry is still a man's world. However, these determined, driven women have recently made serious headway in their efforts to gain credibility and respect. In Baltimore, McInerney has become a shining example of the success that female geeks can have when given the chance. In February 2003, McInerney opened two Franchises with the national computer-support company Geeks On Call®, and in only six months she has had such remarkable success that she is now celebrating the grand opening of her third franchise. Serving western Baltimore and Ellicott City, McInerney's newest Geeks On Call Franchise will offer the same reliable, on-site computer support that has already earned her the respect of her male counterparts.

From the outset, Laura McInerney knew that for a female computer geek to succeed, she would need boundless tenacity. To that end, McInerney entrenched herself in the Baltimore business community through incessant networking, marketing, and participation in charity events. This aggressive approach to running her business has rewarded her handsomely; in recent months her earnings have approximately doubled. Certainly this rapid success has not gone unnoticed. The President of Geeks On Call, Walter Ewell, made a special point of noting: "The thing that makes Laura McInerney so admirable is her will power. She had it in mind that she was going to succeed, and no one could tell her otherwise. She's proof that making a splash in the computer industry has nothing to do with your gender, and has everything to do with your enthusiasm." As McInerney's business continues to expand, so will her sphere of influence. It is her sincere hope that young women in Baltimore will take notice of her success, and will realize that they too can have an impact on the tech world. All it takes is good, old-fashioned hard work.

With the addition of McInerney's third franchise, western Baltimore and Ellicott City now have access to the same dependable computer services that have made Geeks On Call a trusted name throughout the state of Maryland. The premise of Geeks On Call is simple: gone are the days of lugging computers to a local technician for updates or repairs. Instead, Geeks On Call brings complete computer support directly to homes and businesses. Everything the Geeks technicians need to complete their tasks is nestled inside their sleek PT Cruisers, which are emblazoned with the Geeks On Call logo and toll-free phone number.

Founded in 1999, Geeks On Call initially served the areas of Norfolk and Virginia Beach, VA. In response to its tremendous success, Geeks planted its first franchise in April 2001. Since then, nearly 100 franchises have been cultivated throughout the United States. This rapid growth is a reflection of the public's hunger for quality on-site computer assistance. Prior to Geeks On Call, residential customers in need of computer support often faced tremendous expense and lengthy down-time, with no guarantee of satisfaction. The expedient, reliable services provided by Geeks On Call also have become a necessity for small businesses, giving them exposure to licensed technicians, and eliminating the cost of hiring a full-time IT staff. Now everyone has access to superior computer repairs, upgrades, troubleshooting, training, and wired/wireless networking, without emptying their wallets.

Currently Geeks On Call offers service in the following areas: Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, VA; Washington, D.C.; Cary, Charlotte, Durham, and Raleigh, NC; Annapolis, Baltimore, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Columbia, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Rockville, MD; Cedar Hill, The Colony, Dallas, Denton, DeSoto, Frisco, Ft. Worth, and Plano, TX; Arvada, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver, CO; Lee's Summit and Kansas City, MO; Jacksonville, Lakeland, Orlando, and Tampa, FL.