Like many of the amazing women I have met while being an entrepreneur, I met Lexie through our networking group, Six Degrees Society. As a result of shelter-in-place, our IRL events took a turn and went all digital (which has been amazing, to be honest)!
Lexie and I were matched up and we immediately hit it off! Working in the wedding industry, it is no secret that anyone who has gone through the engagement and planning process, ends up sharing their story with me. Lexie has such a creative eye and was so eager to share her experience and all the details and time she put into her wedding. As a recent business owner, Lexie has launched an amazing PR business, The PR Bar. She is not a firm, she is an investment to your business as a coach, strategist and cheerleader to all her clients.
I got a chance to learn more about Lexie and am so excited to share with you!
Questions and Answers:
Q: Are you most productive in the morning, afternoon or night? A: Morning Q: I stay motivated by ....... A: Looking at my bank account haha just kidding! I would say podcasts and networking groups with other inspiring female founders (shoutout to Six Degrees Society where we met!) Q: My best friend would use these three adjectives to describe me…. A: I literally just texted her a screenshot of this question and she said, "Go-getter, passionate, thoughtful". Q: Growing up, when I envisioned my career, I saw myself.... A: If you quite literally look in my fifth grade yearbook it reads, "I want to be an Oscar Award-winning Actress in Hollywood". That dream quickly died by high school haha. Q: If I could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), it would be... A: This answer always changes for me...right now family comes to mind. I would say my dad's mom - I never met her, and I've heard she was nothing short of incredible. Q: If I were a fruit or vegetable, I'd be.... A: This is the first time I've ever been asked that, love it! Hmmm...maybe an avocado...because there's more to me than meets the eye, and I have a big heart. Q: Give your best elevator pitch. In at least three or four sentences tell me what you do. A: I am the Founder of THEPRBAR inc. where, in short, I teach entrepreneurs and businesses how to increase their influence, impact, and revenue with Public Relations (PR.) I have two main programs; the first, Pop Fizz Clink! a 12-week program that teaches entrepreneurs how to DIY PR to make more money. The second is a Corporate Training Program where I work with businesses to build, develop, and train an in-house PR strategy, team, and department. Feel free to learn more by checking out THEPRBAR "Bar Menu" - see what I did there ;)
Q: What motivated you to become an entrepreneur? Is having your own business something you always wanted?
I have always valued freedom and control. Those are two things I have gained since becoming an entrepreneur - the freedom of creating my own schedule, the freedom of creation...and ultimate control over how I run my business and my life. Q: How did you come up with your business idea? What inspired you? A: Well the name came to me out of nowhere (huge pun fan over here), and I bought the URL long before I had a real business. Then, about a year-and-half ago I noticed two things. One, I love to teach (whether that be interns, the CEOs I worked with, or just friends and family) and two, I saw a market gap in PR. There are agencies, which are largely too expensive for many small business owners, and then there are some DIY courses, which I find to be really hands off and not all that effective. That's when my Ah-ha moment happened and I slid into the DMs of the middle market. Enter THEPRBAR inc. Q: What were you doing before this? How did it prepare you for the entrepreneurial life? A: Most recently I was the VP of PR and Marketing of a high 8-figure Inc. 5000 company in the telecommunications space (a mouth-full, I know). Prior to that, I worked in a variety of PR agencies and served as an In-house Director of PR and Marketing. I've been in a leadership or executive position since the age of 23. When you're thrust into such an accelerated career path, you learn how to move quick, bounce back, and pivot when necessary - all of which still didn't prepare me for the highs and lows of entrepreneurial life haha. HOWEVER, I love having my own business, and I would haven't it any other way. Q: How do you generate new ideas to stay relevant on the market? Is it important to innovate in your space? A: I research, read, listen, and learn DAILY. I am a firm believer that we never know everything and there is always room for improvement.
Q: Describe a challenge you've already faced in 2020 and how you handled it.
A: How much time do we have?! Just kidding... I mean aside from the obvious challenges that have developed due to COVID-19, I'd say my largest hurdles have centered around the fact that THEPRBAR is a new brand. It's also a business model I've never tackled before. I've screwed up, a lot. However, with that, I've learned a lot. I remind myself daily to give myself grace and to just keep on keeping on!
Q: What is one way you get to work with individuals or groups within your community?
A: My Pop Fizz Clink! Program is a 1:1 program – I get to work extensively with my clients through this. My Training Program is per company, although there are multiple people involved in that process. Outside of those, I host A TON of webinars and workshops and am always down to collaborate with member of my community and beyond, like you!
Q: How do you define your best work and what value does your best work bring?
A: My best work is defined by happy clients. Anything less than that I consider a failure.
Q: What is one of your goals for the new year and how have you begin implementing it into your life already? A: I entered 2019 with the following goal: Own my worth. It seems like a simple concept, but as a giver-by-nature, historically I haven't always asked for what I deserve (monetarily and relationship wise.) Halfway through 2020 now, I am doing my best to change this.
Q: What would you tell your 18 year old self today? A: BREATH LEXIE. Also, never forget your Epi pen (lots of stories there).
Q: What is your best advice for someone starting their own business?
A: First and foremost, probably the same advice I gave 18-year-old me - BREATH. You can't pour from an empty cup so make sure to never neglect self-care. Past that, I would say don't be afraid to invest. Whether that be investing in a website, or an expert to up your skill level, or something that affects the quality of your product, while I know it's scary, you really do have to spend money to make money.
Q: For fun... describe your guilty pleasure.
A: Doritos and Dominos Pepperoni Pizza...which ranch (I chased down the delivery guy once because he forgot this.) Q: Describe your perfect day. A: Traveling somewhere new in the world with my husband - disconnected from technology - doing something active with EPIC views.
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From the moment we met, I knew Lexie was a force. She was energetic, bubbly, innovative and a go-getter (like her friend describer her!) What I noticed sets Lexie apart is that she wanted to educate those around her, with a helping hand. PR is a vague topic that most business owners do not fully understand, and that is where Lexie provides her solutions. She provides so many free resources that can be accessed on her site.
Want to learn more about Lexie and The PR Bar? Keep it touch on her Instagram!
To read more articles from Neela, visit the blog!