Founder Allyson Conklin. (Credit: Courtesy of Allyson Conklin PR)
Her PR Strategies Get to The Root of a Company’s Identity
Allyson Conklin prides herself on her holistic, personalized approach to working with brands in the beauty and lifestyle industries.
Allyson Conklin founded her eponymous public relations firm in 2010, with hopes of representing brands of all sizes in new and more meaningful ways. Conklin says brand building through consultation is at the heart of what her firm does – but that if you ask her clients, “they’ll tell you that we’re way more than publicists; … we’re a true extension of their teams.” Since ACPR’s launch 14 years ago, Conklin and her team have worked hand-in-hand with new and heritage businesses of all sizes, creating meaningful brand awareness, driving influence, and supporting their respective goals for growth. Today, the Atlanta-based founder continues to navigate the challenges of scaling her small business while continuously adapting her entrepreneurial mindset in ways that work best for her, her team and her clients.
Here’s our lightly edited Q&A, from The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project.
How is your business different from others in your industry?
As a small boutique agency, we take a highly personalized approach to PR. We consider ourselves a relationship-first agency – which makes this experience inherently different to that of working with a larger firm. I wholeheartedly believe that the foundation of our success lies in our ability to go deep, which leaves no stone unturned or story untold. We see brands as a whole, and aim to tell their stories in their entirety – that’s where the magic of PR shines through.
What is your biggest success to date?
I can name many traditional successes: Scoring coveted media opportunities for deserving clients, including recognition in the Allure Best of Beauty Awards, or a 12-page feature in Traditional Home magazine. We’ve celebrated long-term partnerships with clients, grown our revenue year-after-year, and received hundreds of applications within 24 hours for open positions when we’ve listed them on LinkedIn.
But what I consider my biggest success right now is breaking free from the “be better, faster, stronger” mentality, and instead focusing more on the feeling – in particular, feeling good. Founding and growing a company is hard work, and it’s easy to get caught in the “do whatever it takes” trap. I was on that path for years, and it didn’t work for me. I made some radical changes in how I operate this year in an effort to feel better, and it was the best decision I could have made, for both myself and my business. The best part is, we are now attracting even bigger and better opportunities because we’re focusing on what matters most.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
Scaling up. As a small company, there is a delicate dance to growth, and it can be tough to navigate. I have learned that it’s not always a “we need this number of employees to service this number of clients” formula. Fourteen years into business, I still don’t have a solution – but I’m committed to figuring it out.
Have you experienced any significant personal situations that have affected your business decisions?
Like many company owners, the Covid pandemic forced me to rethink how we work. While I was initially apprehensive about becoming a remote company – I loved the in-office culture – in 2021, we made the change all the same. While there are challenges that have come with it, it has ultimately proven to be one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. Going remote has expanded our ability to attract and retain talent, enabled us to establish a footprint in new markets, and has provided me with the flexibility and freedom to work in a more meaningful way. Getting to decorate my home office has been the icing on the cake!
What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs?
It’s OK not to have all of the answers! “I don’t know” is a perfectly acceptable answer. As entrepreneurs, we often pride ourselves on knowing everything – or at the very least, knowing how to find the answer quickly. But that’s a lot of pressure, and it even can prevent learning and growth. I’ve learned to embrace “I don’t know,” and honestly, I wish I would have done so sooner!
How do you find inspiration on your darkest days?
By remembering my “why.” It can be hard to see the forest for the trees on particularly tough days – but then I remind myself why I’m doing what I’m doing, and that it’s a choice that I made for myself, which helps me gain perspective. Or, if even that fails, getting up from my desk to get a latte and a gluten-free pastry often does the trick! Taking a break – whether it’s a quick walk, a lunch out, an impromptu day off, or a full blown vacation (because those are necessary, too!) – can be just what I need.
What is your go-to song to get motivated on tough days?
“High Dive” by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness.
Who is your most important role model?
I consider myself truly fortunate to have had so many strong female role models in my lifetime. My mom, Christine Cerbana, is one of them. I have learned so much from her – lessons which I apply not only to my life, but to my business as well. One of my favorite life lessons from her is that you can achieve anything you put your mind to, as long as you believe in yourself, work hard, and stay positive.
Instagram: @helloACPR
Facebook: @AllysonConklin
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