Story & Lesson Highlights with Nadia Pupa of San Diego

We recently had the chance to connect with Nadia Pupa and have shared our conversation below.

Nadia, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A typical day weaves together editorial work, podcast production, and community leadership. My mornings often start with emails, client updates, and focused editing or ghostwriting, followed by midday meetings, interviews, or event planning tasks for Women of the Club (womenoftheclub.com) and other professional networks. Some afternoons are spent connecting with colleagues and potential clients. As a business owner, each day is different, and because of that, I have had to block time for myself to recharge.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Nadia Geagea Pupa, co-founder of Pique Publishing—an editorial and graphic design consultancy. A variety of authors, businesses, and organizations come to Pique Publishing to help shape their words into powerful stories, polished publications, and engaging digital assets. Through my podcast, The Editor’s Half Hour, I pull back the curtain to reveal the publishing world by exploring the craft of editing and industry trends. What makes my work unique is how I bridge creativity with structure—whether I’m ghostwriting a memoir, producing editorial tools like affirmation cards for editors, or leading the Women of the Club committee to spotlight and celebrate women’s leadership. Right now, I’m especially excited about building resources that uplift editors, champion independent authors, and connect professionals through meaningful conversations and events.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
A big part of my story is that I wouldn’t have created Pique Publishing without my husband’s vision and encouragement. He not only came up with the company name and logo but also built the website and nudged me to learn InDesign back when I thought I only wanted to be an editor. He saw potential in me that I hadn’t yet seen in myself, and his belief opened a whole new world of design I never imagined I’d be part of. That perspective shaped how I see myself today—not just as an editor, but as a creative entrepreneur who can bring ideas to life and help others do the same. He also had the clever idea that turned my podcast into The Editor’s Half Hour when I first wanted to call it The Editor’s Hour; he suggested shortening it and inserting an editor’s caret into the design. That small but clever edit not only gave the show its distinctive name and look, but also perfectly captured the spirit of what I do—making thoughtful changes that make a big difference.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Back in 2019, I was laid off and came close to giving up on my entrepreneurial path. I spent months waiting to hear back about what I thought was the dream job with the dream salary, only to realize that it likely would have landed me in another stressful corporate environment. Instead of settling, I decided to put my energy into building something of my own. I launched Pique Publishing, started The Editor’s Half Hour podcast, and stepped into leadership as president of the San Diego Professional Editors (SD/PEN) board. What initially felt like a setback became the catalyst for a career I never could have imagined—I’ve since seen my company soar to new heights, received honors like Women of the Year and 40 Under 40 from the San Diego Business Journal, and built a business that reflects not only my skills as an editor, but also my passion for empowering others. Looking back, there’s no way I would have gained these experiences—or fulfillment—if I had taken that full-time job. Choosing myself and my company was the best decision I’ve ever made.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think many “smart” people get three things wrong. First, they overvalue intellect while undervaluing emotional intelligence. Being book smart or highly analytical doesn’t automatically mean you understand people—their emotions, communication styles, or the dynamics in a room. Logic alone doesn’t win if you can’t connect with others. Second, I see paralysis by analysis creeping into conversations far too often. People get so stuck on the “what ifs” and what could go wrong that they stall out entirely, leading to procrastination and missed opportunities. Perfection isn’t possible, and if we waited for it, we’d never make real progress. The last thing—which has become increasingly apparent lately—is that people are afraid to be real. They’d rather wrap everything up in rainbows and sunshine than share the reality of what’s happening in their lives. This forced positivity doesn’t land the way it used to—it feels inauthentic, stale, and frankly outdated. The world is craving honesty now, and clinging to that “always positive” façade just makes people seem out of touch.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember me as someone who gave editors a voice and a spotlight in a profession that so often works quietly behind the scenes. Through The Editor’s Half Hour podcast, I’ve been able to shine a light on the editorial community and the important work we do to shape stories, culture, and communication. I’m proud to have launched projects that didn’t exist before—like the inaugural Editors Calendar and the first-ever affirmation cards for editors—that celebrate and uplift our craft in new ways. Beyond publishing, I’ve poured my heart into my community, especially at the University Club, where I’ve helped create meaningful events for women and now serve as chair of the Women of the Club committee. One of the projects I’m most proud of is launching the inaugural Women of the Club Industry Leadership Awards, a first-of-its-kind event honoring women leaders across fields like business, STEM, education, the arts, and community impact. If there’s one story I’d want people to tell about me, it’s that I built spaces where others felt seen, celebrated, and inspired to do more than they thought possible.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Sarah Morgan Photography
Brandon Johnson Photography (Group Photo)

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