Nan Johnson, Owner
Marketing Communications Services
(A public relations resource group for ad agencies, marketing managers and communications professionals)

1. How did you get in PR?
Waaaay back in the days of thriving urban areas, a family-owned, 2-state, 22-unit department store was headquartered in my hometown's downtown area. I started work there right after college as a newspaper advertising copywriter. Though I loved the work, after a while I grew weary of writing copy for things like children's clothes, intimate apparel and shoes. One of my "beats," however, was the special events department so I got to know how things worked. It was fascinating and the director of the department was a true PR maven. What a teacher! I was promoted to assistant special events and community relations director. And the rest, as they say, is history. I wouldn't trade my first job for anything.

2. Briefly describe your typical workday.
My days run the gamut, as do the days of most pr people. Unless I have a meeting or a deadline, I typically start later and work much longer than I did in "my other life" as a non-freelancer. There are fewer distractions in my home office, which is a real surprise to me. I thought I'd be tempted to play more with my dog, finish reading a book and start a new one or take long walks, but I'm focused on work 100% of the time.

3. What is the best part of your job?
Being able to choose my clients and projects. At this point in my career, I really don't have to do things that I don't want to do or work on behalf of people, places or things that I'm not interested in or don't believe in.

4. What is the worst part of your job?
Having to find my clients and projects. Looking for work! I'm not as good as I need to be in new business development. I can pitch, but I really don't like pounding the pavement. It's something all freelancers and business owners must do, and I can only strive to get better at it, though I'm thankful that the work I've landed since starting my own business has come to me entirely by referral.

5. What is the biggest lesson you've learned during your PR career?
It all goes back to doing the right thing. Be honest. Tell the truth. Do what you say you're going to do. I've seen too many people in public relations positions oversell and under deliver, claim to have skills when they haven't the faintest idea what they're doing, take credit for work that doesn't belong to them, and more. Integrity goes a long way. Without integrity, one doesn't belong in public relations or any other profession.

6. What is the most unique thing about your company?
My background is so diverse, chances are I've "been there and done that" which really benefits my clients. I don't just talk the talk, but I walk the walk and that sets me apart. Because I've been on the client side and the agency side, I bring a well-rounded perspective to the project teams that I create. From telecommunications to agriculture, I'm familiar with more categories than most folks I know. That's a plus. As a writer, an account executive, a strategist, tactician or media spokesperson there's a lot of value that I bring to the table, whether or not I actually function in those roles.

7. What is your ideal dream job?
I'm in my ideal dream job now, working for myself. It's challenging to say the least, but it's the most satisfying situation I've ever been in. Other than that, I'd love to produce and host my own home renovation show on Home & Garden Television and let somebody be my pr person for a change!