Business Profile: Marika Flatt, PR By The Book
Who we’re profiling: Marika Flatt
The business: PR by the Book
Where to find it: www.prbythebook.com
When did you start your business? Oct 2002
Why did you decide to start your business & why did you choose the type of business you chose? I had been a book publicist for 5 years at that point and new that I wanted to launch my own company so that I could have a more flexible work schedule with 2 young kids. I put the wheels in motion to build my company and, after 1 ½ years of moonlighting my business, I resigned from the other company I’d been at for 7 years at that point, and began really growing my business.
What is your favorite thing about being in business for yourself? I love being in charge of my work schedule. I design my office hours around what works for our kids and our family. I’m very diligent about getting in enough office hours per week, and never try to work while I’m taking care of the kids, too. It really fits my personality type. I’ve also been able to build a business based on my ideals, morals and convictions.
What turned out to be harder than you thought? The hardest thing is making sure our publicists are happy and keeping retention as high as possible. Turn-over is hard on everyone involved and training a new publicist to merge into our systems can take up valuable time. Therefore, we try our hardest to retain good people.
Looking back, what is one thing you know now, but wish you knew back then? I try to always remember that during stressful times, “This, too, shall pass.”
Do you participate in any business groups (mentoring, networking, etc) ? Yes, I won a Mentor Award from our local chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and I’m a past-president for our local chapter of the Association for Women in Communications. Also, I’m a member of a unique group of mom entrepreneurs called Biz&Balance.
As a business owner, it can be easy to work all the time – do you have any tips for balancing your business and your personal life? I’ve had times in my business where I felt I had to work nights and weekends. I’m past that desire at this point, with 3 young kids. I work during designated office hours and keep my nights and weekends free for family time.
What have been some of your best business successes? I feel like my best business success is that in the past 5 years, we’ve kept a full stable of clients at all times and have not had to go out and look for clients or market ourselves. Our business has grown by word-of-mouth, referrals and repeat business, and I’m very thankful for that.
What are you planning to do with your business in the future? I have no 5-year or 10—year plan for the company, other than continuing to provide high quality media relations services to small businesses, authors and publishers.
