Find what you can do uniquely better than anyone instead of trying to be all things to all people.
Lindsey Myers founded Concrete Blonde Consulting in November 2016 to pursue her passion for building reputations and revenues through business development marketing strategies. The company has since been named one of the “Top 15 PR Agencies in New York” by The Manifest and one of the “Top 10 Best PR Agencies” by Web Surf Media.
Myers provides profit and growth solutions and thrives as a consultant. A communications expert and entrepreneur, she has over twelve years of experience serving various industries including consumer products and services, tech, lifestyle, hospitality and nonprofit companies in NYC and the Hamptons luxury market. And in 2018, Insights Success magazine named her one of the “30 Most Innovative CEOs” of the year.
She graduated from Boston University with a BS in Communications and concentration in PR. She began her career at WordHampton Public Relations, a firm headquartered in East Hampton, NY and ranked by Jack O’Dwyer’s as one of the country’s “Top 100 Independent PR firms”. In 2013, she made partner and was chosen to launch the company’s NYC division.
Recognized as a strategic leader, she has earned a track record for counseling clients, including Fortune 500 companies such as NAPCO Security, Inc., to increase profits, manage brand reputations and gain market share. She’s continually driven by her enterprising spirit and innate understanding of consumer influence. She takes ownership of the business she supports and partners with clients.
Professional, confident and well-respected by her peers, she has also been a guest lecturer at several universities including Hofstra University and Saint Joseph’s University, possessing a presence people often find unforgettable.
Her leadership and expertise have earned her numerous accolades throughout her career including; PRSA Big Apple award, PRSA Bronze Anvil award, eight MarCom awards, nine Fair Media Council Folio awards, Communicator award, SABRE award and an Excellence in Communications award.
Where did the idea for Concrete Blonde Consulting come from?
I founded Concrete Blonde Consulting (CBC), because all too often I found PR plans were more about “getting placements” than supporting the business. My mission is to deliver comprehensive communications plans that build both reputations and revenues to help companies reach their end game.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
There is no such thing as a “typical” day in my business, but I do structure my day relatively the same way to heighten productivity. I start work at 6 a.m. with the main mission of getting my inbox to ground zero (which almost never completely happens), but at least most people aren’t responding to emails at that hour. That usually takes until about 8:30 a.m. which is when I break to go running. This is my destress time and I always listen to Podcasts! I’m back at my desk around 11 a.m. which is when I tackle the toughest items on my to-do list …. the stuff you *really* don’t want to do. Then, I take a break from lunch, which I usually eat while watching CNN (full confession – I’m a total political junkie #GuiltyPleasure). Any meetings or conference calls I need to take I schedule in the afternoons. I end my day by scanning through my emails for anything that requires a response before EOD, but then I leave everything else until the next morning.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Consistent effort over a long period of time. I find that developing ideas is a lot like writing a novel. You start with a little bit of the first draft, then you write a little bit more and repeat. Then you edit that draft and keep making it stronger. Ideas come to life the same way. Nothing is ever finished or finalized, but rather always a work in progress. A labor of love.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Podcasts!!! I’m a total addict and I have no shame. Watching television feels like a guilty pleasure to me, but listening to a well-crafted Podcast feels like doing something healthy. It just feels right.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
Not constantly checking email. I still fall into this bad habit sometimes – usually when I’m waiting for exciting news. But it’s a productivity killer and nothing good ever comes of this practice.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Find what you can do uniquely better than anyone instead of trying to be all things to all people.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
The media should stop reporting on Tweets (even if they come from the leader of the free world). It’s not news, it’s entertainment and it’s just this side of a snuff film.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Constantly question if I am bringing value to my clients. Both in terms of my inherent worth and in comparison to the competition. Then, I think about how relevant that value is in terms of the ever-changing world in which my clients operate. I’m always striving to deliver more.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
Stop taking on every client that comes your way and really consider those that are a good fit for what you do AND (perhaps even more importantly) will value what you do.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Just one? I feel like I’m constantly trying new things and many of them fail. The trick to overcoming failure (at least for me) was failing more frequently. The more you put yourself out there and try new things and fall flat on your face … the easier it becomes to get back up. And if you aren’t failing on a regular basis, then you’re staying way too close to your comfort zone.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I don’t think there is “one idea” that is the key to being successful in business. The trick is finding YOUR idea. And the best way to do that is to start exploring anything that you are curious about and learn more.
Albert Einstein once said, “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
New headphones. I use them every day when I run and my Podcasts bring me joy 🙂
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?
I’m rather basic here – email and Google are my best friends.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose
Entrepreneurs are forced more than any other person to deal with their internal emotional baggage and you won’t be successful until you do. I’m also a very spiritual person and this book really helped me to sort through the clutter, clear my soul and discover what work was in alignment with my best self.
What is your favorite quote?
Everything you want is on the other side of fear.
Key Learnings:
- Being an entrepreneur takes a lot of consistent effort over a long period of time
- Face your fears
- Learn how to fail so that it makes you stronger and brings you outside of your comfort zone
- Find your unique genius
- Stay curious!
Connect:
Carlyn runs the day-to-day publishing operation here at ideamensch and interacts with our awesome customers and entrepreneurs. She is likely editing this with a cat on her lap.