Navigating PR Pivots and Business Longevity with Jessy Klein Fofana
09/17/24 • 45 min
Welcome to the Pivot With Purpose Podcast, where we delve into the art of career transitions and finding your professional footing. I’m your host Meghan Houle and today I am so excited to welcome Jessy Klein Fofana! Jessy launched, built and sold her first company before turning thirty. In 2008, after directing breakout PR and marketing initiatives for some of the most recognized brands in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, Jessy founded LaRue, an agency trailblazing a new kind of PR strategy that leverages both the power of earned media while maximizing performance-driven commerce PR opportunities. With a model in mind that included full service Media Relations, Commerce Content and Affiliate Marketing, Jessy has assembled a dynamic team of experts that work cross-functionally and move as quickly as the ever-changing media landscape, making LaRue an industry standout!
I’m so excited to dive into Jessy's journey and her innovative approach to PR and affiliate marketing, and the importance of adapting in an ever-changing industry!
Topics Covered:
(00:33) The evolution of LaRue PR, shifting from full-service PR to including affiliate marketing.
(06:23) Common misconceptions in PR and wisdom on navigating challenges in the field.
(15:08) How affiliate marketing has become a crucial component of LaRue PR’s strategy and its role in modern PR.
(25:10) The unpredictability of PR and the challenges of delivering difficult news to clients.
(27:57) Jessy shares how her leadership style has changed over the years, relying on her team to manage day-to-day operations while she focuses on business development.
(31:10) Maintaining a work-life balance.
(35:52) Advice for women looking to start their own PR firms.
Jessy's journey is a testament to the power of resilience and staying true to your values. Tune in for valuable insights and strategies that can help you pivot with purpose in your own career!
Connect with Jessy and LaRue PR!
Jessy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessyfofana/
LaRue PR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laruepr/
LaRue PR Website: https://laruepr.com/
Meghan Houle Method Career Community & Recruitment Resources:
Subscribe to the Pivot with Purpose Blog
Season 6 Sponsor TripleTen
TripleTen's boot camps turbocharge your journey into the world of tech, equipping you with the cutting-edge skills needed for a game-changing career pivot.
Ranked at the top of the charts, Tripleten’s programs in Software Engineering, Quality Assurance, Business Intelligence Analytics, and Data Science are the ultimate launchpad for your career transformation. Learn more about TripleTen: https://tripleten.com/
Welcome to the Pivot With Purpose Podcast, where we delve into the art of career transitions and finding your professional footing. I’m your host Meghan Houle and today I am so excited to welcome Jessy Klein Fofana! Jessy launched, built and sold her first company before turning thirty. In 2008, after directing breakout PR and marketing initiatives for some of the most recognized brands in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, Jessy founded LaRue, an agency trailblazing a new kind of PR strategy that leverages both the power of earned media while maximizing performance-driven commerce PR opportunities. With a model in mind that included full service Media Relations, Commerce Content and Affiliate Marketing, Jessy has assembled a dynamic team of experts that work cross-functionally and move as quickly as the ever-changing media landscape, making LaRue an industry standout!
I’m so excited to dive into Jessy's journey and her innovative approach to PR and affiliate marketing, and the importance of adapting in an ever-changing industry!
Topics Covered:
(00:33) The evolution of LaRue PR, shifting from full-service PR to including affiliate marketing.
(06:23) Common misconceptions in PR and wisdom on navigating challenges in the field.
(15:08) How affiliate marketing has become a crucial component of LaRue PR’s strategy and its role in modern PR.
(25:10) The unpredictability of PR and the challenges of delivering difficult news to clients.
(27:57) Jessy shares how her leadership style has changed over the years, relying on her team to manage day-to-day operations while she focuses on business development.
(31:10) Maintaining a work-life balance.
(35:52) Advice for women looking to start their own PR firms.
Jessy's journey is a testament to the power of resilience and staying true to your values. Tune in for valuable insights and strategies that can help you pivot with purpose in your own career!
Connect with Jessy and LaRue PR!
Jessy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessyfofana/
LaRue PR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laruepr/
LaRue PR Website: https://laruepr.com/
Meghan Houle Method Career Community & Recruitment Resources:
Subscribe to the Pivot with Purpose Blog
Season 6 Sponsor TripleTen
TripleTen's boot camps turbocharge your journey into the world of tech, equipping you with the cutting-edge skills needed for a game-changing career pivot.
Ranked at the top of the charts, Tripleten’s programs in Software Engineering, Quality Assurance, Business Intelligence Analytics, and Data Science are the ultimate launchpad for your career transformation. Learn more about TripleTen: https://tripleten.com/
Previous Episode
Revolutionizing Retail Marketing with Sam Pantazopoulos
Welcome back to Pivot With Purpose! In this episode I am joined by Sam Pantazopoulos, the CEO and Co-Founder of Vizer! Vizer is the premier retail marketing intelligence platform revolutionizing how consumer brands drive online shoppers in-store. Sam is a trailblazer in the retail marketing space, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table as an accomplished speaker, writer, and advisor. Her company, Vizer, is transforming the retail marketing landscape with its cutting-edge platform that bridges the gap between online and offline shopping experiences (It’s essentially bringing Google Analytics in-store!)
I am so excited to talk with Sam about the unique challenges and strategies for driving in-store sales through an effective online presence and her journey from being a college entrepreneur to an innovator in the retail marketing space!
Topics Covered:
(03:24) The birth of Vizer: How a college idea evolved into a platform for retail marketing.
(06:19) Sam’s decision to dive into entrepreneurship right after college and the early challenges.
(09:22) The pivotal moment when COVID-19 forced Vizer to pivot and focus on retail, leading to their current success.
(13:00) Lessons in leadership and the importance of not fighting “invisible enemies.”
(26:09) An omnipresent online footprint and how it supports retail sales.
(29:36) The power of influencer marketing in driving in-store promotions and how Viser supports brands with effective distribution strategies.
(35:11) The impact of social entrepreneurship on business growth and the importance of using resources for the greater good.
(39:26) Embracing change and learning to let go of old habits to foster growth.
Sam’s journey is a testament to the power of pivoting and perseverance. Don’t miss out on hearing how Vizer is paving the way for a new era in retail marketing!
Connect with Sam!
Link up with Sam on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/scpantazopoulos/
Check out her company Vizer: https://www.joinvizer.com/
Meghan Houle Method Career Community & Recruitment Resources:
Subscribe to the Pivot with Purpose Blog
Season 6 Sponsor TripleTen
TripleTen's boot camps turbocharge your journey into the world of tech, equipping you with the cutting-edge skills needed for a game-changing career pivot.
Ranked at the top of the charts, Tripleten’s programs in Software Engineering, Quality Assurance, Business Intelligence Analytics, and Data Science are the ultimate launchpad for your career transformation. Learn more about TripleTen: https://tripleten.com/
Next Episode
Building a Thriving Salon: From Concept to Community Staple with Alexandra Goresh
Hey Pivot With Purpose Fam! Today I am thrilled to be having a conversation with Alexandra Goresh Pittampalli about her inspiring journey of a major career shift!
Alexandra is the owner of Petaloúda Salon and a master stylist. With over two decades of experience in the salon industry, Alexandra took the leap last year and accomplished her life long goal of opening her own salon, Petaloúda, which is located in the heart of Brooklline, MA Washington Square. Petaloúda has quickly become a go-to destination for city and suburban dwellers alike, with clients traveling from states away for their beloved stylists!
We are getting right into the journey of creating a successful salon, exploring everything from the initial concept to the vibrant community it fosters. Let’s get started!
Topics Covered:
(00:00:31) Alexandra on her childhood fascination with hair and how it turned into a career.
(00:02:06) The series of events that led Alexandra to start her own salon.
(00:12:05) Creating a healthy work environment and maintaining balance as an entrepreneur.
(00:16:39) How Alexandra knew she had found the perfect location for her salon and the importance of aligning with your vision.
(00:23:54) The power of manifestation combined with actionable steps to achieve your goals.
(00:25:06) The most surprising aspect of running a business.
(00:40:14) Avoiding burnout and bridging gaps.
(00:49:33) Being genuine both personally and professionally.
(00:54:58) Future goals and Exciting projects for expanding Petaloúda.
(01:01:48) Alexandra’s go-to relaxation methods.
Follow Alexandra and her team at Petaloúda on Instagram!
Alexandra’s Instagram
Petaloúda’s Instagram
Check out Petalouda
Meghan Houle Method Career Community & Recruitment Resources:
Subscribe to the Pivot with Purpose Blog
Season 6 Sponsor TripleTen
TripleTen's boot camps turbocharge your journey into the world of tech, equipping you with the cutting-edge skills needed for a game-changing career pivot.
Ranked at the top of the charts, Tripleten’s programs in Software Engineering, Quality Assurance, Business Intelligence Analytics, and Data Science are the ultimate launchpad for your career transformation. Learn more about TripleTen: https://tripleten.com/
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/pivot-with-purpose-with-meghan-houle-383959/navigating-pr-pivots-and-business-longevity-with-jessy-klein-fofana-74031404"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to navigating pr pivots and business longevity with jessy klein fofana on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy