It is so important to surround yourself with positive, like-minded people who believe in you and will be there in a heartbeat to high-five you on a job well done or provide a shoulder to lean on during difficult times.”
Megan is an experienced communications specialist with more than 10 years industry experience. She specializes in product and service launches, review programs, copywriting, media and analyst tours, trade shows, press materials development and placement, as well as strategic PR consulting and training.
Megan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and Communication Studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Where did the idea for CanyonPR come from?
I’ve always been passionate about PR and was so hungry to learn more about the industry and grow in my career. A few years in, I hit a plateau where I was not being challenged and realized I needed more. Starting my own PR agency was the perfect opportunity to challenge myself and grow further in my career.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
I’m a morning person and am most productive earlier in the day. I always start my day by expressing gratitude and of course, coffee! From there, I focus on responding to emails and tackling high priority to-do’s for the day. Afterwards, I take a break and go to the gym. Working out is a great way for me to recharge and come back to work with an energized body and clear mind.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Before taking any action on any idea I have, I take the time to think it through. Once I’m comfortable moving forward, I like to map out a game plan of how I plan on executing each idea to ensure things run smoothly and the outcome is exactly how I envisioned it from the beginning.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
As of late, I’ve noticed an increase in women supporting other women. It’s a beautiful thing to see individuals truly lift one another up and encourage them to believe in themselves, their dreams and their passions.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
The journey of an entrepreneur is one filled with so many highs and lows. It is so important to surround yourself with positive, like-minded people who believe in you and will be there in a heartbeat to high-five you on a job well done or provide a shoulder to lean on during difficult times.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Do not ever let anyone tell you how you “should” be. The heart speaks so strong if you take the time to listen to it and can be a wonderful guiding light. I would encourage my younger self and anyone starting out in their career to always listen to their heart and believe in themselves.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
It’s not all about the money. Obviously, a business needs to make a profit; however, I firmly believe at the end of the day it’s not all about how much money was made, but rather, if I feel fulfilled and am proud of the person I am, knowing I did all that I could for my clients, family, friends and myself.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Check in with yourself on a regular basis. It’s so easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but I think it’s so important to take the time to check in with yourself and make sure you’re taking care of yourself, mind, body and soul.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Reach out to your network, including those who’ve helped you along the way, especially in the early days. These are people who believe in you and want to see you succeed. Leave the ego at the door and know it’s OK to seek guidance and support throughout your journey as an entrepreneur.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
You can look at this as a good or bad thing, but I tend to see only the good in someone. There have been instances throughout my journey where I believed in people’s words, only to be left taken advantage of, which impacted both myself and my business.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I work with many start-ups and one of the challenges is dealing with small budgets. If by chance they’re not able to pay for an extensive PR campaign (or purchase packages in any business), I like the idea of creating a starter package to help them on their way. That client will see that you understand their situation and want to help them succeed, and you bring in a little bit of extra money and have formed a new relationship. It’s a win win for everyone!
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
My mattress topper! I have a bad back and have gone years not sleeping well, which affected my energy level and physical health every day. I purchased an amazing fluffly mattress topper from Target that was around $100 and sleep on a cloud every night!
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I subscribe to Darren Hardy’s daily emails, “DarrenDaily”, and have found they’re a wonderful way to start the day. He provides such inspiring and thought-provoking content, which has really helped provide motivation and the drive to succeed in business on a daily basis.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Clearly, I’m a fan of Daren Hardy, because it would have to be his book, “The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster: Surviving the Scariest and Most Thrilling Ride of Your Life”. The journey of an entrepreneur is filled with so many highs and lows, and this book really helps you keep your head in the game. It’s an amazing read!
What is your favorite quote?
I’m always on the hunt for inspiring quotes, but one that has stuck with me for years actually came from one of my mentors – “The magic happens when you step outside of your comfort zone.” I always played life safe, which really never got me anywhere. This idea of experiencing a little magic when you allow yourself to be vulnerable and try something new has been such a driving force for me to trust in the process and help myself grow in ways that might not be familiar or the most comfortable.
Key learnings:
- Be your biggest fan. Always believe in and support yourself in all that you do. Be proud of your accomplishments and humble when you need to ask for help.
- Trust in the process. No one wants challenges or disappointments to happen, but it’s from these experiences that you grow and take yourself to the next level in life.
- If the fire still burns in your heart, believe in it. Odds may be against you or you may not see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you feel your passion still burning in your heart, stand by it and keep going strong!
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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.