As the co-founder and CEO of Pique Publishing, Inc. and host of the podcast, The Editor’s Half Hour, I bring 20 years of experience in publishing to my clients through writing, editing, and design. I can pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses of any project for my clients to help them succeed. In July of 2023, I was named a winner of the 40 Next Top Business Leaders Under 40, and in November of 2023, I won the Business Women of the Year Award (small companies category) by the San Diego Business Journal. Last year, I launched Affirmation Cards for Editors to help spread positivity and transform mindsets. I am deeply passionate about the wonderful world of publishing and have put my focus on connecting with my editorial community in a variety of ways. In addition to presenting on topics at national conferences, I served on the board of the San Diego Professional Editors Network (SD/PEN) from 2021–2022 and continue to be heavily involved in this organization in addition to several other editorial-related organizations across the country. To learn more about Pique Publishing, visit www.piquepublishing.com.
About Nadia Geagea Pupa
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have two little boys, Teddy (6) and Niko (4), who keep my husband and me busy every day. I am lucky that most of my extended family, who were all born and raised in Illinois, have slowly migrated to San Diego throughout the years.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I started out wanting to be a journalist, but through a series of events, I landed in the wonderful world of publishing. My deepest passion is in editing and designing books, but the true magic happens during book coaching sessions. I get a great sense of achievement working with corporate clients (which include nonprofits, major corps, and academic institutions). What I love the most is building trust with clients and figuring out how they think. It feels magical being a part of the developmental process and seeing stories or content come to life in various forms—books, magazines, courses, or even marketing materials.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
People are isolating themselves for various reasons, but because of this, people are becoming lonely. My advice is to find your community and make connections with people you respect and admire, attend meetings and social gatherings, and exchange information. Make lunch plans and share stories!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I plan to deepen my roots in San Diego. I also hope to continue interviewing amazing editors on my podcast, The Editor’s Half Hour, and aiming the spotlight more on the editorial community—an industry that doesn’t get enough attention. In 10 years, I hope that I’ve paved a path for positivity, community, and recognition for editors by continuing to sell Affirmation Cards for Editors and presenting on various editorial-related topics at national conferences.
Nadia Geagea Pupa & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
My husband took me to Lumi to celebrate my birthday a few years ago, and it was one of the best meals I’ve had in San Diego.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
We moved to San Diego in 2015 and I have no plans to leave. Before that, I lived in Chicago and Boston, but now that I’ve landed in San Diego, I’m here to stay!
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
The Women of the Club Committee members of the University Club Atop Symphony Towers are interesting, amazing, and inspiring to me:
• Pam Marcheski, IntentAct
• Debbie Escobedo, Balboa Thrift and Loan
• Candace Berkman, Berkman & Christian Wealth Management and Insurance Solutions
• Ashley Feuerman, Feuerman Law
• Idara Inwek Ogunsaju, The Antorge Group
• Pamela Stambaugh, Accountability Pays
• Jasica Smith, The University Club Atop Symphony Towers
• Grace Williamson, University of San Diego
• Marla Marshall, Special Assistant at San Diego County Sheriff
This committee honors the power of women through connection, celebration, and wellness, fostering a strong community that supports career and life planning, exploration, and meaningful meetups. We foster and support this mission through our core values of C.A.R.E. (collaboration, authenticity, respect, and encouragement).
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Anthony’s Shoe Repair (Solana Beach, Carmel Mountain, and Del Mar) makes me feel the most nostalgic because it is owned and operated by my uncle Tony Khattar. Back in the ’90s, my family and I would vacation in San Diego and visit my uncle. The shoe repair business has deep roots in our family. My grandfather immigrated from Lebanon and created his company, which he passed down to his kids who are still running shoe repair businesses here in San Diego and Illinois.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
My favorite thing about San Diego is that everyone is generally happy and cheerful. There is a different type of positivity in our community that is unmatched by other cities I’ve lived.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
I would have lunch with Oprah. As a kid, I admired her sense of confidence and the way she commands attention. I would ask for advice on interviewing techniques and apply them to my podcast! We would eat at Seneca because of the fabulous views and amazing ambiance.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
My favorite movie is Only You with Robert Downey Jr. and Marisa Tomei (1994). It is such a magical movie. For TV shows, I was really into Mr. Robot (2015–2019). It has an unseemly style and artistic perspective for a drama that spotlights cyber security and taking down corporate America. I highly recommend it!
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Something interesting that most people don’t know is that I’m already planning for retirement. I will open a bed and breakfast that overlooks Big Bear Lake and do nothing else but make homemade cinnamon rolls and read (or write) fiction all day. I might dabble in writing sci-fi, romance, or murder mysteries. I haven’t decided yet.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
I would rate the Torrey Pines Trail a 10 out of 10. It never disappoints.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Philip Pupa, my husband, inspires me to be better every day. He challenges me but is also patient with me.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
My mom always told us to live by the golden rule of treating others as I would want to be treated.
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
Sabre Springs
What I love about my Neighborhood:
I love how close it is to everything. It’s such a convenient place to live.
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
My ideal weekend would include a beautiful brunch somewhere near the ocean, walking (or chasing my kids) at the beach, soaking up the sun, and reading a good book. I’d love to end my day getting dinner somewhere in Little Italy with my family.
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Laughter, comfort, and love
