Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lynette Pettinicchi, Founder of Mint & Honey, Co., located in New York, NY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Mint & Honey, Co. is a full-service, boutique PR and digital marketing firm creating fresh, modern, innovative campaigns that produce results that stick and have staying power for small businesses and start-ups in the health, wellness, medicine, fitness, and food industries.

Tell us about yourself

When I was a teenager, I always knew I wanted to own something. I just wasn't sure what. After changing my major four times in college and telling the communications advisor that I hated writing, I graduated with a BA in PR/Advertising.

After finding my niche in health and wellness, with a few internships, a stint in field marketing, and landing my first full-time PR role, I started a fitness blog, went through a nutrition certification, and got a Pilates certification.

When the opportunity to presented to start my agency, I took it and never looked back. Mint & Honey, Co. is unique because I'm personally invested in our clients' industries. Health, wellness, fitness, medicine, and food/beverage all filter into science. The insight I gain from being both a communications expert and an insider is invaluable for clients.

Knowing that I work with clients doing or making things that can help change someone's life keeps me motivated. And the fact that I genuinely enjoy discovering new ways to tell stories and get clients' key messages out.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Not giving up. Hands down. It's not the TODAY Show or NYT placements, signing new clients, hiring great employees, putting on successful events, etc.

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is being knocked to the ground, getting back up, and staying up.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

There are many things to touch on that are challenging when it comes to being a business owner.

One of them is that it can be isolating when your goals, workload, or mindset differ from those you lean on for support. Whether it's losing a hero client and seeing your income plummet to burning the midnight oil to ensure a release is done on time so you can focus on other things or saying no to plans because you're having a creative moment, there are sometimes things that don't translate for those who work for someone else.

And that is OK! I still adore and love my friends and family, but when the hard times hit, I try to find another entrepreneur to talk it out with.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

I'm more of a boot camp style girl versus meditation/motivational, so my tips are:

  1. Do it scared. That applies to anything really and is the motto I live by. But seriously.
  2. If you want to see what you're made of, start your first solo business and train for your first marathon simultaneously.
  3. Fail and fail fast. Pick your head up and keep looking forward.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.mintandhoneyco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MintHoneyCo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mintandhoneyco/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MintHoneyCo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynettepettinicchi/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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