Inspiring Conversations with Lindsey Myers of Concrete Blonde Consulting

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Myers.

Hi Lindsey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I went to Boston University (BU) where I majored in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations. While I was a student I took an internship at WordHampton Public Relations (WHPR), a hospitality PR firm located in East Hampton, NY and ranked by Jack O’Dwyers as one of the top 100 independent PR firms in the country.

After graduating from BU in May 2007 I started full-time at WHPR at an Account Coordinator. In 2008, I launched a social media program for the firm and was promoted to Account Executive and Social Media Manager. I continued to work at the firm and climb the corporate ladder eventually making Equity Partner in 2011. The firm expended to New York City in 2013 and I moved to Manhattan to run that office and stayed with the company for another 3 years.

In November 2016, I went out on my own and launched Concrete Blonde Consulting. In the past 10 years, I’ve represented over 30 clients in various industries including technology, luxury markets, non-profit, professional services and hospitality. In June 2021, I returned to my home state of Ohio and currently reside in Lakewood.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I was at WHPR when the 2008 financial crisis hit restaurants hard and the firm lost a lot of clients. It forced the firm to shut down one of their offices and lay-off half the staff. Those of us who stayed faced longer work hours to make-up for the lack of workforce, but honestly, we were just grateful to still be employed.

When I started CBC, I started with zero clients and had to create a new business pipeline, fill it with potential clients, pitch those clients my services, land the business and service the clients once they signed on. As the firm grew I was able to outsource some of the work to help me continue to grow, however, in the beginning you are one-man band designing and branding a new firm with everything from the logo, website and business cards to your social media presence.

Then in 2020 when the pandemic hit I was heavily vested in the hospitality industry and travel industry and lost a lot of business. I was forced to rebuild the firm again from the ground up during a global pandemic when everyone was still getting used to remote work and literally everyone was struggling to survive the new normal.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Concrete Blonde Consulting (CBC) offers several different services including media relations, strategic visioning, media training, branding crisis communications, content development, business development and strategic partnerships. That said, media relations is our core service offering and the reason clients come to us for help. They are generally searching for someone who can gain coverage in earned media placements.

Whether a company is interested in generating additional revenue, raising their profile, rebranding the company or recruiting top talent — earned media placements have always been an authentic way to communicate with various stakeholders. Also, unlike advertising it carries the weight of a third party endorsement. It is an excellent way to reach your target audience and deliver your message.

Also, today, more than ever before earned media coverage is becoming critical for businesses. While it has always been an excellent way to generate buzz for your company and reach your target audience — in today’s world it is also necessary for being recognized by Artificial Intelligence.

What sets CBC apart from other larger PR firms is a few various factors. First, I have 20+ years of PR experience and I am the one who services clients accounts, clients aren’t passed off to a junior employee with less experience. Second, we only take on a small amount of clients at a time so clients receive top service. And third, I spend a lot of time when we take on a new client getting to know them and the business. I ask a large array of questions to really unearth core business goals, challenges and stakeholders.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I’ve learned so many lessons along the way that I’m not sure I could zoom in on one that is most important.

When starting a business it is really important that you have a good lawyer and accountant. I’d also recommend that when you set-up your business banking account you also apply for a line of credit, even and especially if you don’t need it at the time. You never know when a financial crisis or pandemic may upend your business and you don’t want to be applying for it when you need it — you want to have it in place ready to tap.

Make sure you have a strong network and stay in touch with the people who have helped you along the way, especially when you don’t need anything from them.

Treat every client as though they were your only client.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://concreteblondeconsulting.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseyemyers/