In 2001, I got a lot of advice about opening Cascade Communications and I was fully prepared for the hard work, determination, frustration, patience and planning it would require. However, the one thing no one told me about going into business was that time will fly!
Like every business there are the ups and downs, but even despite the economy, things feel different for us. It's almost as if we're entering a new phase and what it has in store none of us really know, but...it kind of feels like a beginning.
Over the last 10 years, we've done some pretty cool stuff and helped raise the profiles and sales of many small business brands. We've even run celebrity red carpet events and managed more than 60 local media for one of the biggest political party campaigns embracing the next generation of voters. We've seen small companies grow into million dollar businesses in just a few years or quadruple their current business in 18 months. It's crazy and exciting. While it can be frustrating to never get your client on the phone, we also know that they are busy growing and loving it.
And, we have had those that didn't fare so well. It happens. One's batting average can't always be .500 and the ones we haven't won for have mostly been an issue of bad timing. That's the trick. While we understand what media is looking for sometimes they just aren't ready for us, or someone else beat us to the punch. We hate that. I hate that. But, we can honestly say we've had more wins than not and met some incredible people along the way.
As I reflect back on the last 10 years, I know that I, personally, have learned a lot about myself and what I want my business to be. Is it what it started out to be? Are my goals for it the same? Where are we headed now? Like all business owners, these are the questions we should ask ourselves annually and where we need help, we ask for it - much like our clients have done.
Everyone says 10 years is a milestone, and they're right, for sure, but our modesty keeps us from getting too wrapped up in it all. This year, I want that to change. There are so many cool opportunities with social media and using it to help grow our client's business, it's fun, it's different and it's here to stay. The beauty is that one mom and pop in small town Kansas has the chance to be more than local. They can become international, and I just love that idea.
So while we're taking our heads out of the sand and finally taking a bow (well just for a minute), we're also looking forward to working with amazing small businesses. I will continue teaching PR to small businesses around the area at SCORE Chicago. We'll launch our new website soon (pardon the dust) and starting some new things of our own to benefit clients. It's going to be....exciting. Listen, when you've been through two economic down times while in business, you learn to float through it and keep the faith; to see the exciting possibilities and to, well, get excited.
This is our hope for all of you on our Anniversary - get excited! Opportunities abound. Small businesses and entrepreneurs are reaching out to help one another and that's what I love about what we do so much.
Cheers!
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