My career has truly come full circle in the past few years. I spent the first ten years of my professional life working at various public relations agencies in Manhattan on large food, beauty and lifestyle accounts. After spending many late nights working for someone else, I wanted to have more co ...
My career has truly come full circle in the past few years. I spent the first ten years of my professional life working at various public relations agencies in Manhattan on large food, beauty and lifestyle accounts. After spending many late nights working for someone else, I wanted to have more control in my life so I decided to start my own business. I launched an online cookie store, Gumdrop Cookie Shop, in 2007.
Throughout my journey of launching and running my online cookie company, I became part of the small business community and met many entrepreneurs who needed affordable PR help. In 2010 I sold Gumdrop Cookie Shop and my next professional step couldn't have been more obvious! I merged my PR skills with my small business experience and launched my DIY PR Pack, which offers small business owners an opportunity to execute their own PR programs. I find it incredibly rewarding to offer small businesses a custom and affordable PR solution that impacts their business in a powerful way.
Describe your business in 3 sentences. What is it?
My business empowers small businesses to execute their own PR program on a budget. I provide entrepreneurs with a customized PR strategy and the specific tools (press release, pitch notes, media lists and consultation) that they need to secure publicity.
What inspired you to start your business?
I started my PR business and, specifically, my DIY PR Pack, after launching and selling my own small business, Gumdrop Cookie Shop. Prior to starting a small business I worked at several PR agencies in Manhattan so I had the PR experience I needed to secure publicity for my own business. After joining the small business community I realized that other entrepreneurs needed an affordable and effective PR solution that didn't blow their entire budget.
How do you stand out from the crowd? What distinguishes your business from the competition?
While I occasionally take on retainer clients, the bulk of my business is creating customized DIY PR Packs for small businesses. I develop a PR strategy and provide them with the tools they need to secure publicity and build relationships directly with the media. This gives them an opportunity to execute their own PR campaign, which might not have been financially feasible with a traditional publicist.
What does it mean to you to be the entrepreneur of your life? How do you integrate your life and your business, your personal brand and your business brand?
Pesce PR is a combination of my corporate career and my small business career - it's my professional life come full circle! Given this experience, I understand the financial and emotional stress of owning a small business and I've considered this as I've created my DIY PR Package. I care deeply about my clients and about their success.
How long did it take to get started and what business tools have helped you the most?
Once I was working full time on Pesce PR, it took about 3-4 months to get everything launched. Networking groups have been a great way for me to connect directly with entrepreneurs and I'm able to share PR tips via my blog, which has helpful PR 101 information for my DIY PR Pack alumni and/or potential clients.
What is the single biggest thing you would say an entrepreneur has to be armed with in order to succeed?
I've launched two businesses and the two of the most important pieces of the puzzle were having a good financial plan (understanding profits/revenues, etc.) and, of course (!) a solid marketing/PR plan to generate awareness.
What advice would you give someone just starting out?
Keep overhead costs as low as possible. For example, from a PR perspective, I don't recommend clients spend money on expensive fancy press kits since most information is emailed.
What is your ultimate future dream for yourself and / or your business?
I want to continue to grow my business, expand my small business network and stay on top of the ever-changing PR world! One of my goals for next year is to write a DIY PR ebook.
More »
