Patricia Maristch is the lady behind Piqued PR, a boutique full service PR firm based just outside Philadelphia. After a conversation with a family friend inspired her to channel her interests and study Communications and Fashion Merchandising at University, Patricia has now ventured out to establish her own PR firm. Today she shares with us her story,
What is Piqued PR, what year was it founded and where are you based? Piqued PR is a full service public relations firm specializing in fashion and lifestyle brands. I’m based right outside of Philadelphia, PA.
What is your educational background? My educational background is in communications, I have two bachelors degree from Immaculata University, one in communications and the other in fashion merchandising. I also studied French so I have a minor in that as well.
How did you get started in PR and Communications? A family friend of mine works at Deloitte in communications so when I started looking into colleges she suggested I study communications because I was a good writer and it allowed me to combine my love of fashion.
At what point did you decide you definitely wanted to pursue it as a career or fulltime business? When I graduated the economy wasn’t the greatest so my first job was actually a freelance position of sorts but within the next month I received another full position at an agency. Throughout my time there I continued to freelance on the side, working nights and weekends on other clients. Once I built a solid freelance client base I was able to leave my full time position and work solely with my clients through my own firm, Piqued PR.
And how did you make the transition to running your own company? Like I said previously, the transition was pretty seamless because I had built a solid client base. I think it is also important to have some money saved so that if the first month or so are slower you do not have to worry.
How have you created more awareness about Piqued PR? I have been very lucky in that most of clients have come by referral through other clients, friends and professors. I obviously also created social media pages for Piqued PR, which has helped build a following and get the word out. Lastly, networking continues to be a big part of informing others about Piqued PR. I attend a handful of events each month.
What are some of the challenges you have faced working in this field? I think a challenge anyone faces in this industry is balance. PR and social media is really a 24-7 job. Finding work and life balance is always a challenge.
What would you say the best things are about running your own company? The best aspect about owning your own company is the flexibility and recently the ability to take my laptop outside and enjoy the beautiful weather.
Your most memorable experience since Piqued PR was launched and since you have gone full time? Well Piqued PR has only officially launched a month ago, so I’m sure many more memorable moments will come. However, I think signing the official papers to make the company an LLC and opening a company bank account will always be memorable milestones.
Can you take us through a day in your life? And how do you stay organised? I usually get up around 7:30 I then check my emails, check the social media pages I manage and then do my blog and news reading. I then spend the day writing new pitches, emailing editors and bloggers, creating graphics and content for social media pages, writing client blogs and attending events. No day is really the same. I stay organized with making daily to do lists, I also rely on my Kate Spade agenda book.
What motivates you to keep going? My family motivates me to keep going. My parents are such hard workers, which truly inspires me, also growing up with my grandfather owning a successful business has always made me yearn to become an entrepreneur.
What advice do you have for others who might be interested in working in a similar field (maybe PR, Communications or Advertising)? A lot of it is who you know, so I suggest putting yourself out there and networking. Also, always be nice, people want to work with friendly individuals.
What advice do you have for people looking to start something on their own? Go for it, but you must be willing to give up a lot of your time and sometimes fun. I often still work nights and weekends while my friends are out, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. To me, this is having it all.
If you could do anything differently, what would you do? I really have no regrets; I think you can always learn from mistakes no matter how big or small.
Get to know Patricia
Hobbies: Reading, tennis and shopping (that’s totally a hobby, right?)
Brunch or Dinner: Dinner, definitely!
Fave Dessert: Cupcakes
Fave Restaurant in your City: Spasso
Fave Colour/ Colour Combos: Pink, any shade
Other PR entrepreneurs or houses you admire: Skirt PR and Kelly Cutrone
All-time fave movie: 500 Days of Summer
What are you currently reading: By Invitation Only
You would describe your personal style as: Modern Prep
One thing you wouldn’t want to live without: My pups, they brighten any day and love unconditionally but I do love my Chanel too
For more about Patricia and Piqued PR, visit the website, Like Piqued PR on Facebook, and follow on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
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Have an amazing Sunday,
!
