Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in branding and marketing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Stephen Donnelly, Owner and President of Stephen Donnelly & Associates, located in Binghamton, NY, USA.

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

Stephen Donnelly & Associates is a full-service marketing and public relations firm headquartered in Binghamton, NY. The agency serves businesses regionally and across the United States. Our clients come from a variety of industries, including manufacturing, scrap metal recycling, retail, non-profit, and business services–just to name a few. We operate as a business’s marketing department or an extension of it, providing a full suite of services that include web design and development, SEO, content strategy and copywriting, graphic design, social media, public relations, and traditional & digital advertising.

Tell us about yourself

After college, I worked for a couple of marketing agencies but quickly realized I wanted to go out on my own. I founded a full-service marketing firm at the age of 22 with no help from financial backers. Stephen Donnelly & Associates has now been in business for more than 20 years and has worked with thousands of clients across the United States and internationally.

Each day, I am motivated by success and the ability to make an impact. I have watched my marketing firm grow from just me and a group of freelancers to a team of more than 20 industry professionals. The success of the firm has allowed me to expand into other areas of business that help to strengthen my community in Upstate New York. In 2022, I opened Atlas James Construction & Fabrication in response to the long wait times and lack of skilled construction crews I kept hearing about across the area. My marketing knowledge and experience allowed me to quickly build a brand for the new business and market it across the state. AJCAF picked up business and, in a short amount of time, has become one of the most successful and well-known providers of stone countertops in the area.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Growth–from a kid with dreams of being an entrepreneur to becoming the owner of not one, but two businesses in Upstate New York, plus real estate investments, it’s been a rewarding journey full of learning experiences.

A recent example I can share is that when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Stephen Donnelly & Associates was there to help small businesses establish a digital presence and, in some cases, save their companies. The firm quickly developed websites, helped companies establish a social media presence, and found creative ways to engage consumers during lockdowns.

SD&A experienced a boost in business following the pandemic, growing its team, expanding from one office to two locations in the New York Southern Tier, and more than doubling the size of its client roster.

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

I’d say staffing–finding talented and reliable people who share my growth mindset and mission to succeed.

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

  1. Make relationships your number one priority. Focus on building trust with your customers, decision-makers in your community, fellow business owners, vendors, and of course, your employees. The human bonds you establish are a huge resource when you’re an entrepreneur. Your network can bring you referral business, talented employees, or simply an alternative point of view if you’re navigating a new problem or situation.
  2. Realize that leadership is much more than directing projects or assigning tasks. You have to find a way to share your vision, motivate the people around you, and maintain a positive culture for your business, even during challenging times of growth or transition. A lot of it comes down to marketing–as an entrepreneur, you have to market your vision to not only potential customers but also those who’ve joined you on your journey to make the business a success.
  3. Know your niche. It’s harder to be successful when you are trying to be everything for everyone. Think about WHY you’re offering your product or service. What’s unique about it? What hole in the market does it fill? Also, be flexible. Don’t be so precious about your product or service that you become resistant to constructive feedback that could really help your business take off with certain audiences.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://sdamktg.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.donnelly.39982
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenjdonnelly/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenjdonnelly/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.