Lauren Ivey & Nicole Floyd are well versed in the Public Relations industry, as they both have academic and professional experience, as well as influence and connections in the DMV and ATL networking scenes. Lauren has earned a Bachelors in Mass Media Arts from Clark Atlanta University, and Nicole has earned a Bachelors of Arts and Science in Communication from Marymount University. Launching 1092 PR Consulting in 2016, these young ladies are well prepared to embark on their entrepreneurial journey. With a results driven motive, Lauren & Nicole are ready to help their clients elevate their brand and expand their business! Read our interview with the lovely Nicole below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
We have been best friends for over 20 years. When we graduated college, and finished up our internships, we found it almost impossible to land our “Dream Jobs”. We knew we were both very skilled, outgoing, had amazing work ethics and were well connected in our industry, but the job market was extremely competitive. Finally we decided to create our dreams jobs! We knew exactly what we wanted to do, and knew even better how to do it!
Tell us about your business.
1092 PR is a boutique public relations firm; we specialize in sports, beauty and lifestyle, small business and non-profit sectors. We also offer event planning services and commission based fundraising efforts.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
Not currently, but we are accepting new clients and offering free consultations.
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.
As a newer company we don’t yet have any awards or certificates, but we are proud to say that we landed our first client after being in business for less than a month! That is something that we will always be very proud of, it speaks to our tireless work ethic and the reputation we began establishing for ourselves early on.
Where is your business based?
1092 PR is based primarily, in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area and Atlanta, Georgia; but we offer services to clients up and down the east coast and in California.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
- Registering our business formation
- Obtaining our Employee Identification Number
- Opening our Business Accounts
- Building our Website
- Increasing/Building our Social Media Presence
- Basically all the logistics and house keeping
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
- Social Media
- Word of Mouth Referrals
- Networking Events
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Our biggest challenge is sticking to one area of Public Relations. Most publicists find their niche early on, but we are making efforts to broaden our clientele because of our many interests. We don’t want to be too broad with our services or over extend ourselves; but we also do not want to limit our experiences or skill set.
How did you overcome these challenges?
Because we are a new firm, we decided to stay open minded. Many great publicists have given us the advice to find one specialty, but we dared to be different. Maybe one day this will change but for now we will continue to simply be different. We feel like we can do it all if we set our minds to it, and so far we are killing it!
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
You must stay motivated when you are in business for yourself it can be very difficult, it’s easy to slack off or procrastinate when things get hard, or when you feel like you have no idea what you’re doing. Fortunately there’s two of us! So we motivate and push each other, and pick up the slack when the other may be falling off the bandwagon. Giving up is really easy; pushing through is the hard part. Ultimately though, we keep the same thing in mind, if you don’t build your own dreams someone will hire you to build theirs. We have been very clear from day one we are our own bosses!
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
Customization and a 100% all hands on deck approach. 1092 takes the growth and well being of our clients very seriously. We don’t have assistants or associates interact with our clients on our behalf, we do all the grunt work, along with the glamorous work. We make ourselves extremely accessible to answer questions, clarify things, and respond to miscellaneous requests or emergencies. Most importantly we customize every campaign, event or project to meet and address the very specific needs of the client.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
The best advice, we have received is to “know your worth and value”.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Mistakes are a part of the process. As entrepreneurs you’re often liable for all aspects of your new business and when things go wrong or someone drops the ball, it may seem like the end of the world, but it’s not! You pick up the pieces and pick up where you left off or you start over. You always have to be encouraged, especially when you work for yourself, because you don’t really have anyone to push you or hold you accountable.
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
Social media all the way! It is the best way to stay connected.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @1092PR
Twitter @_1092pr
Facebook www.facebook.com/1092PRConsulting
Website www.1092pr.com
Email info@1092pr.com
Hashtags #1092pr #1092PRconsulting
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
“Contagious: Why things catch On” by Jonah Berger.
“Top Ten Signs You Shouldn’t Hire a Publicist” by Kris Ruby.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
Taxes and accounting! We are frantically trying to make sure our book keeping, accounting, and finances are in order and ensuring that we have crossed all our Ts and dotted all of our I’s. We never realized how complicated it can be managing your own business finances. Also, offering marketing tools for younger entrepreneurs. We want to inspire others.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
Our biggest priority for the next few months is expansion, increasing our brand awareness and of course sustainability. Our most effective strategy right now is expanding our network and building our book of business.