Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Perry.
Hi Alex, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I graduated from Tecumseh High School in New Carlisle, Oh in 2011. Thereafter, I moved on to study Journalism at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pa. I accelerated my studies and graduated in December of 2014, a semester shy of my expected graduation date in Spring of 2015. During my time at PPU, I studied under some incredible professors while exploring a city-in-renovation. I landed a few internships with PR agencies that allowed me to learn about live event coverage on social media, how to create multimedia content, and I even started my own fashion blog.
This blog eventually landed me an internship with a fashion PR agency that took me to New York Fashion Week — a real dream come true. I also navigated writing press releases, co-hosting and co-planning events, and pitching stories and contracts through the local fashion/press junket, too. Fortunately, while I was in college, I was heavily encouraged to explore the possibilities of social media alongside journalism and public relations long before the industry was what it is today.
After I graduated, I moved to Columbus, Oh in the early part of 2015. I began working for QVC-owned Zulily as a production copywriter. This was my first introduction to writing in a style that combined detailed information, digital marketing, and brand voice, all while being legally sound. While in this role, I began thinking back on all of the things I learned in college, and how much fun I had doing it. I decided I would take a page out of my own book and started my PR and social media management agency Perry Rose Media in July of 2015.
It took a few tries to figure out exactly what my niche was. Eventually, I landed on bridal fashion and weddings. I had an eye for detail and fashion, which was relevant to this area of business. I traveled to New York for Bridal Fashion Week just as I had for New York Fashion Week years earlier. I supposed designers in acquiring wholesale accounts while displaying their new collections at a variety of markets. The process was intense and expensive. Models, makeup artists, hotels, parking, flights, food, and show fees had to be carefully planned as to not bust the budget. Though it usually did anyway. I met famous names in the industry, worked with internationally-acclaimed designers, and earned press for my clients valued in the 100’s of thousands.
During the pandemic last year, the industry overall took a major hit. I had many clients that had to put our contracts on hiatus, unsure of what would happen next. Many brands tried to forge on, still showing collections. I felt a pull towards a new direction as if all of my work had been put on pause so I could recognize I was ready to grow beyond an industry I had all but conquered. After all, as a bridal publicist ranking #1 on Google, getting clients featured on international Vogue spreads, and landing features in Modern Luxury print editions, I had felt a plateau in my career for some time. The next step for me, amidst an ever more uncertain world, was to figure out what I wanted to do with my knowledge, skills, talent, and expertise.
Now, six years after starting my own company, a marriage, and two daughters later, I feel more like myself. I feel as though my business is becoming a reflection of me, not just the industries I serve. The growth has brought into my life the most loyal, inspirational, and kismet clients I could hope for. Along this journey, I have seen and experienced so much. I believe now that all of these things have been building me up to where I am today.
These days, I retain a small roster of clients and operate my agency with a fabulous assistant, Kelsey Mace, who I named as my PR Director this summer. They say if you can make it through five years in business, then you’re bound to last. I feel that my legacy as a professional, entrepreneur, innovator, and creative is only just beginning. I live in Riverside, a few minutes from downtown Dayton. I also have a spiritual practice outside of my agency, known as The Perry Rose Academy. I offer astrological and tarot readings, host workshops, and consult with people looking for radical self acceptance and new opportunities in life, love, business, friendship, and more.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Some of the biggest struggles for me have been resources and stability. The first few years of running a business are predictably rocky, and making any kind of “profit” is rare at best. Finding a groove with clients can also be quite a feat. Questioning pricing and worth, value and offerings, and creating a routine were the first things I smoothed out. These days, I struggle with asserting myself in the new realm I’m still discovering. But in time, I’ll find the pace.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Perry Rose Media LLC?
I started Perry Rose Media in 2015 to provide creatively-inspired, story-telling public relations services to small businesses. My motto is simple: Small agency, big results. I keep it real when it comes to PR and Marketing. The world of social media and public relations has changed entirely over the course of the last few years, notably since the pandemic started. Flexibility, adaptability, and innovation have become paramount.
My team offers nearly a decade of experience in news writing, blog and editorial writing, social media captions, email newsletters, speaking proposals, press releases, community management, and web content; we deliver the whole package. Our clients receive a full-coverage approach: branded copywriting, engaging social media management, editorial development, brand messaging, positioning and identity, as well as creative direction.
Perry Rose Media’s PR resumé features significant wins including Vogue India, Modern Luxury Weddings, British Vogue, Wedding Style Magazine, and more. Locally, we have secured press features for our clients with Dayton.com, Dayton Daily News, Spectrum News 1, The Chic Guide Dayton, and more.
What were you like growing up?
I was a military brat, my mom was active duty in the Air Force my whole life up until I was pregnant with my second daughter in 2016. Even as a child, I valued my intelligence over my athleticism, loved fashion, and was always dressing up, too. I bonded with my family over music, which was always a big theme for me and still is. I lived in South Dakota, Pennsylvania, England, Georgia, Maryland, Illinois, and finally claimed Ohio after meeting my husband in high school. Growing up I loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Spice Girls, Barbie, and dancing. I always enjoyed writing and doodled in countless notebooks, perhaps a foretelling of my future as a writer.
Contact Info:
- Email: contact@perryrosemedia.com
- Website: perryrosemedia.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/perryrosemedia
- Facebook: facebook.com/perryrosemedia
- Other: theperryroseacademy.com
Image Credits
Photography credit: Chelsea Hall Photography https://www.chelsea-hall.com/
