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Nitty Gritty PR

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I am sitting here with perma-grin on my face after creating a presentation for the GVSU Public Relations Student Society of America. The group asked me to speak on the Nitty Gritty of PR, in other words, what you don’t learn about in the classroom. You know, the long hours, coordination, logistics, wrangling, headaches, stress, etc.

But…you know what…I really fucking love my job. I decided instead of words, words and more words, I would show my experience in pictures. I have spent the last 2 hours looking through and inserting photos into the Prezi and it dawned on me…I have had one hell of a career so far.

Sure there are long hours, annoying people, unexpected surprises and more but holy shit the stuff I have gotten to be a part of…wow. Here are my major takeaways from my 15+ year career:

  1. People, so many people. I have met some of my best friends that started out as acquaintances, reporters or clients. I met Susan Ford Bales when I worked on a project for the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum – she was as awesome and intelligent as you would expect. My partner in crime, Adrienne Wallace, became the #2 of 8THIRTYFOUR and we experienced Lights in the Night Grand Rapids, Bissell Pet Foundation Howlween Hoof & Woof, Unity Bridge of Holland, multiple events, press conferences, speaking engagements and more.
  2. Experiences. I was able to travel to New York City with a client after setting up meetings with Seventeen Magazine, SELF magazine and more. Sure it was in the dead of summer and easily 100 degrees in the City but it was like I was in an episode of Sex in the City…but not as well-dressed.
  3. Clients. 8THIRTYFOUR has represented companies that have appeared on Shark Tank, are global, were launching a kitty litter product, were opening an ER and more. We once took on a client that wanted to launch thousands of lanterns into the sky over Grand Rapids – what a bunch of nut jobs.

This easily makes up for the sleepless nights, zero work/life balance and crushing stress. I would do all of it again in a heartbeat.

Take some time in the next week and just reflect on all you have done and accomplished. It is pretty damn impressive, be proud.

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In @8thirtyfour early days, I didn’t know how to build a support network or find the resources to plan for growth, so I ‘winged’ it.

Then, when I hit our target revenue and employees, was stuck in the business and had no time to work on it.

It’s exhausting, and I was sick of watching other women-owned small businesses go through the same thing.

So, I built what we needed.

The Women’s Owners Network: The program for what comes first.

The Women’s Entrepreneurial Fellowship: The program for what comes after.

Each program is built, taught, and led by business owners for business owners, because no one understands your journey better than those who have been there.

Apply. Do it for you, because if you don’t build and maintain that foundation, you’re walking away from your business.
https://sbamwef.org/apply/

7 0
Open post by bodespeaks with ID 18445961302123742
In @8thirtyfour early days, I didn’t know how to build a support network or find the resources to plan for growth, so I ‘winged’ it. Then, when I hit our target revenue and employees, was stuck in the business and had no time to work on it. It’s exhausting, and I was sick of watching other women-owned small businesses go through the same thing. So, I built what we needed. The Women’s Owners Network: The program for what comes first. The Women’s Entrepreneurial Fellowship: The program for what comes after. Each program is built, taught, and led by business owners for business owners, because no one understands your journey better than those who have been there. Apply. Do it for you, because if you don’t build and maintain that foundation, you’re walking away from your business. https://sbamwef.org/apply/

As the poster child of Anti-AI; I’ll be sharing all my insights at my session at the @widnational Women In Defense National Conference this Monday (tomorrow). It may or may not include screenshots of me calling Claude names.

I will give you:
- Resources
- Guides
- Policies to start with (not a lawyer people - this is my disclaimer)

I also promise you the presentation will not be drafted by, influenced by or done by AI.

Cool. See you then. #widnc26

4 0
Open post by bodespeaks with ID 18122942332886995
As the poster child of Anti-AI; I’ll be sharing all my insights at my session at the @widnational Women In Defense National Conference this Monday (tomorrow). It may or may not include screenshots of me calling Claude names. I will give you: - Resources - Guides - Policies to start with (not a lawyer people - this is my disclaimer) I also promise you the presentation will not be drafted by, influenced by or done by AI. Cool. See you then. #widnc26