[quote style=”boxed”]Be passionate in what you do. If there is no passion, you will not succeed in whatever you are doing.[/quote]
Katherine Fleischman is a publicist and Founder of the company blink PR based in Miami, Florida. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a focus on Art History and Psychology. Spending her summers at Teen Vogue Magazine, Fleischman assisted editors in the fashion closet and realized she had truly found her niche in the heart of Manhattan’s fashion world.
With a Masters Degree in Public Relations from New York University, Fleischman worked in the advertising industry and dabbled as a freelancer at several PR agencies. Blink PR’s clientele range from fashion designers to artists. The common thread that drives blink PR’s philosophy is that it breeds and supports talent in the fashion and lifestyle sectors.
Blink PR offers a range of specialized services, such as branding, marketing, event planning, placements in top-tier magazine and blogs, media training for speaking engagements and sponsorship/partnership opportunities.
What are you working on right now?
I have 35 clients, and I am working on their national PR campaigns in the form of branding, endorsement, publicizing them in magazines, newspapers, online, on radio and on television. The categories they belong to are fashion, lifestyle, accessories, beauty, music, writing and more!
Where did the idea for blink PR come from?
I started freelancing, doing some events and helping out an artist, and through word of mouth, people started calling for my PR help. I decided to create a company and named it blink PR after Malcolm Gladwell’s book blink.
What does your typical day look like?
It’s all over the place—a lot of client phone calls, emails, sometimes trips to visit clients and sometimes doing segments at NBC.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I love to write, so I think writing is the best tool to express ideas. Also, getting on the phone and passionately speaking about ideas is another method I love to use.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
I love fashion shows in New York City and really love the patterns and spring looks that have been released. I am also really into trends that have to do with gadgets such as the latest iPad covers or the latest gadgets that can help daily routines be more efficient.
What was the worst job you ever had, and what did you learn from it?
I was the assistant at a celebrity PR firm, and it was horrible. Everyone was so rude and miserable. I learned to always respect those you work with, even if they are not your cup of tea.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
Nothing.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Be passionate in what you do. If there is no passion, you will not succeed in whatever you are doing.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
I never organized any of my files into folders or backed up my system. It is so important to back up your information and contacts—they’re your lifeline!
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Always have a plan for what you want to do. Whether it be a strategic plan or a business plan, always have a path, a timeline and certain goals you want to achieve—and write them down!
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and how would you go about it?
I would end war in the world. I would do it by campaigning against it in different cities and preaching peace between us.
Tell us a secret.
If I had to choose one thing to eat on an island for the rest of my life, it would be sushi.
What are your three favorite online tools or resources, and what do you love about them?
Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. All three help you spread messages and images to those you love, as well as create a mass market campaign, get a lot of eyeball hits, interact with people and read about those who have been a part of your life in one way or another.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
The Hunger Games. It’s different and exciting and not your typical book. It’s a page turner!
Three people we should follow on Twitter and why?
1. @NYTimes – It’s all the news you need on what’s going on in the world.
2. @KimKardashian – She is so hilarious and very influential.
3. @blink_pr – We keep you updated on the news.
When was the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?
Last night. My family and I decided to all sing karaoke after dinner. It was so much fun!
Who is your hero?
Marilyn Monroe. She was such a strong woman and a fashion/sex icon. She embraced her curves, too!
What are my goals today and how am I going to achieve them?
My goals are to grow my agency and build an organized system to maintain growth and sustain good employees. I will achieve this by working with a business advisor with years of business experience who will give me tips on a better way to more successfully grow my company.
Will I be able to stop working at a sane hour?
Everyone knows being a publicist is a 24 hour job- you always have to be “on” but my health and sanity are the key in doing my job better. I make it a point to turn my phone off during the weekend and get enough exercise to clear my head and prepare for the week ahead.
Connect:
Katherine Fleischman on Twitter: twitter.com/blink_pr
Blink PR on Twitter: twitter.com/ThinkBlinkPR
Blink PR on Facebook: facebook.com/thinkblinknyc
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.