Tell us a bit about yourself and your business.

I learned about Public Relations (PR) at a College Career Panel for English majors. All four panelists were in different careers and not one of them was an obvious English teacher. I was intrigued with the PR professional’s career, and the fact that the most important skills were writing, creativity, research and interpersonal skills. Those were my strengths and interests, along with a strong desire to help people. I was the kid who reached out to the scared new student who couldn’t speak English, and was referred to, at one workplace, as “the resident mama.”

Since college, my career has spanned more than 25 years, with a wide diversity of employers and clients of virtually every size and type. I have promoted entire industries, individuals, services and products on a local, national and international scale, from start-ups to long-established organizations, encompassing consumer, business and trade audiences. Today, PR also stands for Personal Revolution, as I have had quite the turnaround in terms of personal growth, reinvention and pursuing my dreams, and am helping others do the same in their second act, through life and business workshops and coaching services, separate from Public Relations.

Whether the client’s business is small or large, I love learning all about it and how I can creatively and profitably help that individual and business gain positive recognition, leading to business growth.  On the workshop and coaching side, I help individuals identify and reach lifelong dreams, personally and professionally.

 Do you have a business tip or tool that has helped you in your business?

Yes, to delegate, tasks you don’t enjoy and aren’t your bailiwick. An organized assistant is essential for me and I have one who is the perfect yin to my yang.  Jodi Gorenberg allows me to focus on the tasks at which I excel and love: writing, developing creative and impactful work, connecting with individuals, influencing and helping others achieve their goals. I’ve told Jodi that I’d love it if she could simply move in with me!

 Do you have a quote to share and inspire other members? 

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass…it’s about learning how to dance in the rain. – Vivian Greene

 What is your go to business, mindset or productivity book that has helped you in your life and business that you’d like to share? 

For my Public Relations business, I love: The Fall of Advertising & The Rise of PR by Al Ries & Laura Ries and Can We Do That?!by Peter Shankman. Both books present their information using real-world examples in compelling ways. The first book explains why and when Advertising works (basically to maintain your presence when you’re a well-known brand like Coke and Pepsi), vs. PR (when you’re new and unknown, building or rebuilding a brand). It also covers the differences between PR and Advertising, and how the industries have changed over time.

The second book is a fun look at “Outrageous PR Stunts that work and why your company needs them.” It’s harder to grab attention today in our information-saturated society, so this book focuses on fun and creative ways other companies have used to break through the noise and garner positive attention. It gets your creative juices flowing.

For any business in which sales, customer service, and consulting are involved (virtually every women-owned business),  I recommend Getting Naked, A Business Fable about shedding the three fears that sabotage client loyalty, by Patrick M. Lencioni

Please tell us about your next upcoming business event so that we can share it with our members and followers.

On Nov. 3 from 10 AM to noon at Beneficial Bank in Cherry Hill, I’ll be presenting a workshop entitled, “Your Thrilling Next Chapter,” which will teach participants to start understanding and breaking through the fears and roadblocks they and others have unknowingly put in their paths, so they can accomplish anything. Through real life examples, writing exercises, movement, reprogramming and encouragement participants will learn how to tap into their unselfconscious childhood self when they were most free and joyful and learn how to apply that to the rest of their lives!