Lisa Wells

Life is very unpredictable. To minimize the stress of its ups and downs, it’s always smart to have an idea of what your Plan B might be if Plan A doesn’t unfold as you intended it to.

 

Lisa Wells is the creator of LWPR and specializes in brand launches, media outreach, social media and trade shows/special events. LWPR has worked in marketing and communications with best-in-class American brands such as Under Armour sunglasses, Splendid, Karen Neuburger, Reem Acra, Hickey Freeman, Hart Schaffner Marx, Tumi and Judith Leiber. Wells’s background as a magazine editor, in-house PR executive, and an agency principal gives LWPR a unique perspective on the needs and nuances of the media. Having worked both sides of the “PR fence,” LWPR understands the fine art of balancing press demands with a client’s needs.

Where did the idea for your company come from?

LWPR was born from necessity. When my full time position was eliminated after my employer closed his business, I was forced to take on a small client and start building my own agency.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I save my mornings for writing. It’s when I’m most creative and able to produce a lot of copy. I tend to take break midday and since I work from home, use this time to get out of the apartment. Afternoons are for meeting people, following up and connecting with clients.

How do you bring ideas to life?

Through gentle nagging, persistence and tenacity. I’ve found that it’s about having a good idea but more than anything, it’s timing. Everyone has to be in the same place mentally and emotionally for the green light to turn on.

What’s one trend that excites you?

There’s three actually: businesses owned by female entrepreneurs, sustainability and Made in the USA are the most exciting trends to work with now.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I’m tenacious. I don’t give up easily.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Oh my…. That’s a hard question to answer because I don’t think my younger self would have even listened to me. I’ve had an amazing career and wouldn’t trade it for anything but it has not been smooth path – a lot of learning went on, a lot of ups and downs. Since I didn’t really have a clear career plan upon graduating from college, it’s been a very ‘organic’ trajectory.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

I’m very organized.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I am always evaluating my Plan B and it’s the thing that I always stress to others regardless of their career field. Life is unpredictable and to minimize the angst it’s always great to have an idea of what your Plan B might be if Plan A doesn’t work out as you intended it to.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

From the beginning, I was always a ‘solopreneur’ but my family always had my back. My father helped me to get the business off the ground by handling all of my accounting and then my husband took over as my CFO once I was established.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

There have been times when I’ve been caught short. I’ve had to double down then and start over in order to rebuild my business. Always stressful but that’s the nature of owning your own agency.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

I want to start a coffee cart that is built on a bicycle.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I bought a nice pair of boots to wear when the weather turns wintery in NYC that are both comfortable and stylish enough to wear to new client meetings. One less thing to stress about.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

I use a number of software tools like Buffer to manage multiple social media accounts at once and to schedule content.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

I enjoy a great novel to relax. I’m reading Hamilton and I’m fascinated by the scope of history especially since I live in New York. It’s very relatable.

What is your favorite quote?

Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes – Oscar Wilde

Key learnings:

• It’s the continuum – longevity is the goal
• Put away for a rainy day.
• Owning your own business has its ups and down. Prepare for a bumpy ride.
• Build a professional network to lean on for support
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Connect:

@lisawellspr