Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Baronowski-Schneider.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
I have worked in IR/PR/Marketing and Media Relations for over 33 years. I started as an Administrative Assistant and worked my way up the corporate ladder. I’ve worked with clients across the globe, both big firms and small alike. I’ve always gone above and beyond what is expected of me as I feel no job is too big or too small, hence why my reputation has caused many businesses to follow me through 3 different firms before landing with me at my own firm. Why did I start my own firm? I worked at large businesses with 8-12 team members per client. Did all 8-12 members actually work on the accounts? No. More often than not, it was me alone. Having said that, I did all aspects of the account work for all clients and worked many 18 hour days, 7 days a week. I enjoyed the work immensely. After my one job had terminated the IR department, I was forced to find another job. Every client followed me to the new job. I was honored that they valued my work that much. I went to a different type of company that did not do IR/PR/Marketing, however, it was a Company nonetheless. I stayed there for 6 years, still working on my own handling all of the clients, plus new ones. I hired an assistant. After 6 years I chose to go on my own. All of my clients followed me again. As they say, actions speak louder than words.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
There were many challenges. For starters, while we are very good at what we do, it is “business” at the end of the day. That being said, we had one Company do a takeover on one of our clients very shortly after I started my business. That was an initial 4 client loss in one swoop. Should we have seen that coming? Not really. We were an outside vendor for this client. As such, we were not always informed of “all” of the interactions with higher management. That is one thing we always try and state, how we need to work “with” our clients — not just “for” them. If we had known of all that was going on, there is a good chance that we could have prevented that. But it is what it is now it’s in the past and was a valuable lesson learned.
Another challenge is that many do not like competition I see. We were sued by another firm who stated that we were stealing their ideas. It was ridiculous and the law suit was dropped, however, it still caused us stress at the onset of our business and money on lawyers as well. Yet another valuable lesson learned.
We’ve dealt with our challenges and always strive to look forward not back. We are not quitters — we strive to succeed and work hard for all we accomplish.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
Well, we do Investor Relations (IR), Public Relations (PR), Marketing and Media Relations. When I was originally interviewing at firms, they’d say, for example, “We are an IR firm” yet all they did was write annual reports. Another firm stated, “We are a PR firm” yet all they handled was advertising. I was shocked. I knew I did so much more and that IR/PR alone entails so much more. When I started my firm, I was proud to say that we do “everything”. We even handle website design and maintenance. Why? Because most websites are handled by an internal tech person. They are not a financial person, therefore, do not understand the mindset of an investor. Where would they look for this on the website? We’ve done perception studies and learned that if someone has to spend more than 3 minutes looking for something on a website they are gone. Never to return. If a client issues a report or release, we’d spend more time going back and forth with their web person getting it corrected on “where” it should be placed on the clients website. At the end of the day it was just easier for us to do it ourselves. Here we charge clients a monthly retainer — not separate bills for each service. We save clients a ton of time and money and have 33+ years experience and are award winning in our field of expertise. http://www.pristineadvisers.com/services/
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?https://5c4a792e9071727b82fd4af7ef8efefb.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
People who look at me always assume they have me all figured out. They either believe I came from money, I had//have it all, business was handed to me, happily married, etc. Back in time, that couldn’t have been farther from the truth. I came from a mid-class family, divorced parents, middle child of two sisters. After high school, I moved out on my own. Having graduated high school as Valedictorian, I should have gone on to college, but who could afford that? Not to mention, I was soon pregnant with my first baby. I had my son and shortly after, my daughter. Then I was a single mom, working full-time while trying to support us on my own. I eventually put myself through college while working my butt off, days/nights and weekends. Moving forward, I grew up the ranks, eventually earned my Masters, started my own business, and am happily married.
I was also (on the side) a weekend skydiving instructor another passion of mine that I worked my way up the ranks to be a great instructor. A skydive accident after 15 years left me with TBI, where I was mentally not in great shape for 4 years.
Advice? Never give up or lose focus. Never ever quit!! Work hard for your dreams and successes they are not handed to us. Life tries to knock us down laugh at it. KNOW your worth and value. Strive for perfection. You WILL succeed!
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
Success is different for everyone. For some, it is having the perfect family. for others it may be having money in the bank, or traveling the world. While they are all successes in their own right, for me it is different. Success, to me, if accomplishing every goal that I set out for myself. I was always a perfectionist. As a young child, middle girl of 3 from a single parent home I worked hard and graduated high school as valedictorian. I should have gone on to college, but who could afford that? I moved out of my moms home after graduation and soon was pregnant with my first child and then second child shortly thereafter.
Now I was a single mom of 2, on my own, working as a secretary. I heard it all, such as “she’ll never find a man who wants her with 2 kids” (yes, I heard that), “she’ll never get ahead”, “she’ll never succeed”. Did I throw my hands in the air and quit? No! Quitting is not in my vocabulary.
I persevered and worked hard, put myself through college, earned my Masters Degree, grew up the corporate ladder and then started my own firm. I now have a very successful company, am happily married, have 3 wonderful grandchildren, 2 amazing grown children and life is good. Now “that” to me is success. Having not only accomplished all of my goals, but surpassing them.
What’s next for you?
I am always on the hunt in terms of “What else can I learn? What else can I do? Where else can I go? ” I am a go-getter and love raising the bar and pushing my limits. I was afraid of heights so I skydived to get over that fear. Did it end there? Nope, being the perfectionist that I am I worked hard to become a licensed skydiver and then an instructor to teach others how to skydive safely.
When social media was coming about, while everyone was just grabbing their iphones to chat, I was taking classes to become a Certified Social Media Strategist and then ensured my staff did as well.
When I am asked to do a job for a client I don’t just do the basics of what is asked. No. I go above and beyond to do the very best for them. I am not charging “more” for any of it. Their success is “my” success and that is what makes me happy and proud.
What is next? Well, COVID hasn’t helped the world, but I am continuing to branch out, am co-authoring two books and writing another one at this time. I hope to meet more people, grow my business further, help more clients and prove to the world that life goes on.covid or no covid.we will strive and thrive and stand strong in the end. That’s what life is all about giving it our all and succeeding.