About Lupien Limited
Founded
by Debbra Lupien, the Database Diva, Lupien Limited
Consulting has been involved in the computer industry in one
form or another for more than fifteen years. Since 1990
we've been building FileMaker databases that have
streamlined routine tasks and simplified complex projects
for large and small businesses around the country.
FileMaker development is fun, challenging, and very
satisfying. We get a real kick out of watching our clients
when they first start using their new FileMaker solution.
Invariably they love it as much as we do. They are blown
away by how easy it is to use and by their increased
efficiency: information is only a couple of mouse clicks
away; and there's no more searching through folders (paper
or electronic) trying to find that one vital piece of
information. There's not much FileMaker can't do!
At Lupien Limited we believe that FileMaker Pro can
successfully provide the solution to the majority of
business needs. Which is why our clients
span a variety of industries including: publishing, graphic
arts, advertising, photography, manufacturing, retail and
small business.
Our
goal is to build intuitive, user-friendly solutions that
quietly get the job done and then get out of your way so you
can do yours. For this reason we spend time with our clients
at the beginning of each project so that we understand their
unique work process. It has been our experience that this
"up front" time is key to building an effective, successful
solution. Contact Lupien
Limited
to discuss your database needs today.
Debbra
Lupien
'Database Diva' and Founder of Lupien Limited
Consulting
Debbra Lupien may have been raised on a farm in America's
heartland, but her technical savvy and entrepreneurial
spirit were destined to lead her to high-tech New York.
There she now reigns supreme as the 'Database Diva' and
founder of the groundbreaking Lupien Limited Consulting
(LLC), a company with expertise in database creation for a
variety of industries, including publishing, art galleries,
museums, graphic arts, and photography.
Lupien grew up in rural Ohio, about as far away as you can
get from the world of computers. After moving to New York,
she took a job with Glemby, the internationally-known salon
and hair product company. As an administrative assistant to
the senior vice president, Lupien began using a Macintosh
and picked up computer skills on the job. During this time,
Lupien had been searching for an idea to springboard her own
business, and after a year on the job, she found it. She
left Glemby in 1988 to start her own word processing
business.
During the early stages of her company, Lupien was involved
for five years as a volunteer with the New York Macintosh
User Group (NYMUG), serving first as the advertising manager
for its Mac Street Journal. She soon moved over to the
editorial side where she eventually became Associate Editor,
and then Editor, a post she held for two years. Afterward,
she served for a year on NYMUG's Board of Directors.
Getting involved with NYMUG proved fruitful, especially
since the position enabled her to use desktop publishing. It
inspired her to move her own company's focus away from word
processing and more into the world of desktop publishing.
"During this time I was also learning everything I could
about computers from text books, online sites, magazines, so
that it got to the point where people started calling me for
help," says Lupien. "It dawned on me that maybe it was time
to get into the consulting business."
Her consulting initially focused on Macintosh -- teaching
Mac operation, helping users keep their computers running
smoothly, and sharing power tricks. Gradually, FileMaker
worked its way into her repertoire. Lupien had built
databases for herself and used FileMaker when she worked on
the Mac Street Journal and was constantly talking to people
about this wonderful product.
In 1996, FileMaker changed from a flat file to a relational
format that allowed multiple files to actually interact with
one another. This also made the product more functional and
fun to work with. Lupien was fortunate to have taken part in
early training by File Maker, including five days of
intensive training, and to have been involved with the
company's products from the beginning. She is also a former
Chair of the FileMaker Special Interest Group (SIG) and
states emphatically, "As far as I'm concerned, FileMaker is
the only game in town."
An additional step that Lupien took to grow her business was
enrolling in an entrepreneurial course at LaGuardia College.
Although she felt she already clearly understood many of the
business principles discussed, it gave her an opportunity to
focus on the business as opposed to doing the business. It
was at that point she decided to move from Macintosh
consulting and totally focus on creating FileMaker
databases. Lupien Limited Consulting achieved Partner
Certification with FileMaker in 1999.
Lupien's past experience as a Certified Professional
Secretary was instrumental in her intricate understanding of
database needs. Professional certification required a 2-day
intensive testing process that encompassed business
administration, business law, and accounting. A very small
percentage of professional secretaries are actually
certified.
Receiving certification is in keeping with Lupien's
philosophy of striving for excellence. When she was named
Most Outstanding Student at Indiana Vocational Technical
College (where she graduated with an Associate's Degree in
Secretarial Science), she was also the mother of two
toddlers, worked part-time and attended school full-time.
She was also one of a handful of students chosen for a much
sought after field project with Delco Electronics, an
industry leader.
By 1997, Lupien was becoming known as the 'Database Diva'.
Her knowledge of the working office environment perfectly
complemented the inverted side -- knowing what a database
needs to do. Since many more executives are currently
utilizing databases, she realized the importance of
intuitive database interface. "People simply want to know
how they go from A to B to do their job," comments Lupien.
"They want a tool that gets the job done and then gets out
of their way, so they can do their real job. After all,
database is just a small part of what they do."
Lupien is a member of FileMaker Solutions Alliance, and the
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). She
has also been featured in The New York Times, and in the
pages of Bootstrapper's Success Stories, a book with 151
Tactics for Building Your Business on a Shoestring
Budget.
Copyright © 2004 Lupien Limited Consulting. All Rights Reserved.
E-mail: lupien@databasediva.com
Lupien Limited, R#2, Box 2809, Cresco PA 18326
570-676-0938