(Not so) On My Own

About two months ago, the boutique PR firm I’d worked at since 2018 — Barracuda PR — closed its doors. Thankfully, we were one of the most well-known PR firms in our market, with a diverse client base, so many of us have already landed on our feet.

As Senior PR Specialist, I had several clients reach out as soon as the news broke, asking if I could continue working with them as a consultant. I gladly said yes and got to work.

Since then, I’ve secured a commitment from our market’s largest credit union for ongoing PR services, contracted with a marketing firm to handle the PR portion of a tourism campaign for a city in South Texas, and recently started a three-month engagement with an event center that—if all goes well—could become a long-term retainer client.

I’ve only applied for one job in the meantime and had one interview that went well. But I told myself: if I can land three retainer clients, I’m going to give this a real shot. I’ve already set up my LLC and I’m in the process of getting all the back-end business stuff in order. I’m not getting any younger, so this might be my best shot at owning my own business and being my own boss. So why not go for it, right?

Of course, health insurance, retirement, and taxes are all scary things that stay top of mind. And what’s really freaking me out is... it’s just me! Before, I had a team behind me. Now I’m a one-man show. I’d like to stay focused on consulting rather than becoming a full-service agency, but how much can one person realistically take on?

Luckily, since Barracuda was a full-service agency—with in-house graphic design, social media, and photo/video teams—I have a strong network of colleagues who are now in the same waters, even if we’re no longer in the same boat. Many of them have also chosen the entrepreneurial route rather than jumping back into employment, so I’m fortunate to have people I trust and can partner with when needed. You can find two of them, Los Dos Lupes and Arid Mesa, linked under Strategic Partnerships in the Our Story section on Ace’s homepage.

I’m not sure if I’m asking for advice (though it’s definitely welcome), looking for reassurance, or just venting. But I figure I’ll use this blog to share updates and offer some insight I pick up along the way. Any tips from folks who’ve launched their own agency are more than welcome!

TL;DR: I’m starting my own business... and having a mild panic attack 😬

Curious what it’s like to start a one-man PR agency? Follow along as I share wins, lessons, and the occasional panic attack. Got advice or encouragement? Drop me a line—I’d love to hear from you.

🎧 Now playing: Michael McDonald & Patti LaBelle – “On My Own”