When Second Best Isn't Good Enough - Sincerely Nicole Media

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in public relations but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Valese Jones, Founder of Sincerely Nicole Media, located in Dallas, TX, USA.

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

I am a full-time Public Relations and Brand Manager. My company, Sincerely Nicole Media, specializes in all things Communications and Event Production. I choose to use my talents to focus on helping Black and Brown entrepreneurs and brands craft their stories and image in ways that resonate with the masses.

Tell us about yourself

I actually started my career as a journalist and didn't enjoy being in front of the camera as much as I thought I would. My boss at the time didn't want me to quit, so he asked that I move to the PR and Marketing department. The rest is history that is currently in the making. I was laid off from my first job after budget cuts, and the same thing happened at my second job. I've experienced toxic work environments and terrible bosses, just like everybody. Couple that with being 9 hours away from my immediate family and the growing pains that come with being an adult, and it's been an interesting journey. But I stick with it because I love being able to be a part of making my client's visions come to life and watching their dreams be fulfilled.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner would have to be securing brand partners for two of my clients that, on paper, should not have received the level of financial support that I was able to secure. This allowed me to help them produce very successful events and continue the partnerships.

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

The hardest thing is remaining disciplined and mitigating burnout. You won't always be motivated to keep going even when times are good, so that's where you have to train yourself to have a very high level of self-control. Part of having self-control is knowing when to take a step back and take a break. Rest is just as important as putting in work.

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

Don't start a business doing something just because you're passionate about it. Passion is a good spark, but it won't be enough to build and sustain an entire fire.
You do not know everything, and you should not try to. Identify your strengths and weaknesses and outsource the things that you don't do well.
Don't quit your 9-5 unless you have a safety net that allows you to. There will be times in the business that you're so far up you don't think you will come down, but you will, and you need to be prepared for that.

I would like to leave readers with my favorite quote, "Success is not final failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."-Winston Churchill.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.sincerelynicole.net/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sincerelynicolemedia/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/snicolemedia
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valese-jones-721202b1/

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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