This year marks the 10th anniversary of Fendos PR. It’s a noteworthy accomplishment for many reasons, particularly considering that over 50 percent of small businesses fail within 5 years and the economic troubles of the past 4 years.
This occasion has also given me a great reason to reflect on my business, and I have to say, I’ve been so fortunate to work on some amazing projects. Highlights have included working with Visit Milwaukee and the cast of Happy Days to unveil the Bronz Fonz; helping Visit Milwaukee with the Danny Gokey Idol Day; hosting Travel Channel production crews at the Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort three times; and working with the White House staff for the Presidential commencment speech at Concordia University Wisconsin.
Through all of these fantastic experiences, as well as my daily interactions with clients, I have come to realize a few things about myself and my business.
1. I am truly blessed. I work for the best clients who are passionate about what they do for a living and are motivated to succeed. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and it makes me want to work that much harder to produce results for them.
2. I put my heart & soul into every client. I really enjoy rolling up my sleeves and learning my clients’ businesses. And, many of my clients have been with me since I started Fendos PR. I think this speaks volumes. I am more than an outside vendor to my clients…I am one of them.
3. “Old dogs can learn new tricks.” Although I don’t really consider myself old, when I started Fendos PR socia media didn’t exist. when it came into the picture, I quickly relaized if I wanted to keep my doors open I had to immerse myself into learning it, so I took a 12-week social media certificate class through the UW system, started reading technology blogs, attended other technology seminars and even hired a recent college grad to give me a few tutorials. Social media has revolutionized PR and Marketing. I know for a fact I wouldn’t be in business today if I had refused to learn this amazing and ever-evolving technology. The day I lose my desire to learn new things will be the day Fendos PR goes out of businesss.
4. Networking is critical to one’s success. I am fortunate to say my phone just keeps ringing with new business opportunities. This is becaues every day I make it a point to network in some way be it making a post on Linkedin; attending a Public Relations Society of America meeting; catching up with alumni from UW-Whitewater; or going out to lunch with old collagues and clients. I make it a goal to stay top-of-mind with everyone I encounter because you never know who might need a little PR help down the road.
5. Work hard and allow yourself to shut down. In today’s hectic world of email, social media and workplace demands, you have to work really hard to make a business successful. However, you will quickly burn out or your health will be negatively impacted if you don’t reward yourself with some quality down time every day. Go to the gym, laugh with family or friends, read a good book and then get a good night’s sleep so you can dive back into your work with enthuasiasm in the morning.
6. Embrace a Challenge and Live with Purpose. Stop complaining about where you are at this point in your life. If you aren’t happy, figure out how to change what is making you unhappy. Don’t be afraid to take a risk. When you identify your true purpose and begin to live your life to its fullest you will truly be inspired to be your best each and every day.
