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Tell us about your businesses... www.doyourownpr.com teaches small businesses how to put together and run thir own PR campaigns. Our customers are all those millions of small businesses out there that just can't aford the couple of grand a month at least that a PR company will charge. We offer ecoursees, coaching and one to one consultations. Our other arm is the PR agency www.divinepublicity.com which offers a simple approach to Public Relations with a choice of two programmes - Silver and Gold. And what prompted you to set them up? I started in PR in 1991 and, after two years, set up on my own as I knew that I could do it better - and have more fun - that way. Do Your Own PR came about as I came across so many companies that just didn't have the budget for PR - and they are the ones that need it most! Many of my www.doyourownpr.com clients turned out to be PR and marketing people who often had queries about how I had run my own PR company so I decided to create a coaching service especially for them, to give them the benefit of my experience, yes, but to also help them find their own answers. Even though you work with freelancers, you're still a sole trader. Can you give us the good and bad points about this? Being a sole trader is lonely, there's no getting away from that. Decisions fall on your head and you have to make them. You might emply someone to do your books but it's up to you what you do with that knowledge. However I find that having a team around me - not necessarily just staff - is vital. My husband Gerry is very good for keeping me grounded, I regularly meet up with other local business owners and swap stories and advice, and I use a business coach, Heather Waring of www.waringwell.co.uk who helps me think things through and actually work with a structure rather than just reacting to events as they come along. When did you first think "This is going to be a success"? I hate to say it because it might sound arrogant but as soon as I got my first client I knew that I could do it - and I've been doing it for over a decade now! Which women, not necessarily famous, do you admire, and why? Oooh, Nigella Lawson is great - savvy, creative and fabulous personal branding. I am also a big fan of Margaret Thatcher (not necessarily her politics) for her sheer determination, Fiona Harrold for her postitive outlook to life, and both of my grandmothers who were the most amazingly strong women I've ever met! What part of your work do you enjoy most? Meetings with new clients and brainstorming meetings with my staff. And what do you hate? Keeping my desk today and doing the books - I've recently handed the latter over to my PA, but it seems that I still have to handle my desk alone! Can you run through a typical day for us? I start about 9.30, checking my calendar to see if I have any client calls that day, and going through emails. I'm usually on the phone with clients during the morning, helping them come up with fanstastic ideas and strategies to get them press coverage. Afternoons are spent on creative work, writing press releases or putting together PR strategies. I sometimes work in the evenings too but as I love my work so much this isn't a problem for me..and as long as it doesn't creep up to more than two evenings a week my husband is ok about it too. What do you find the most stressful part of working for yourself? I find it hard to switch off - it's deadly to check my emails before I go to bed as I know I won't sleep! What advice do you have for someone setting up their own business? Go and do it! So many people spend months, sometimes even years putting their plan together, finishing off their websites, etc, and they never actually sell anything or land a client. Go out there and make some money and then you'll find that all the rest slips into place! Procrastination is the enemy of small business! And for someone growing their business? Keep your enthusiasm topped up with reading business books. I'd recommend Michael Gerber's E-Myth series for people who want to build a business that can work without them having to be there the whole time. What's your business style? Informal, but focused. I'm very focused. With three children my time is precious and I don't waste it pottering about or chatting. I get on with things and get them done. What ambitions do you still have left to achieve? Well there's always writing that novel, and landing a Champagne house for a client - that's my dream! You can contact Paula via www.doyourownpr.com or www.divinepublicity.com |
| Posted: 23/12/2005 08:09:58 Last Updated: 10/02/2007 12:06:44 |
Chick Lit > Business Chicks :: Business Chick Paula Gardner