Don Stanziano
Principal
Stanzia Communications

1. How did you get into PR?
I was a journalist for 10 years and during that time had moved from beat reporter to features writer to city editor. From the time I was a little kid, I had always wanted to be a journalist. I started a newspaper in grade school and was editor of my high school paper for three years. But after 10 years as a working journalist I began looking for new challenges, feeling I had realized my journalistic dreams. I heard about a media relations job at a local health system, applied, interviewed and got the job. It was a high-energy, high profile position and I loved it. From there, I moved to another hospital system and then to a congressional press director position before launching my own agency last year.

2. Briefly, describe your typical workday.
I describe my firm as a virtual agency, that is, I am an independent consultant who partners with other independents to provide full service PR agency capabilities without the overhead. So, in addition to traditional client service duties such as writing and pitching stories to the media, I am actively networking with others to build my roster of experts - and clients! Then there are the daily business management duties, which usually are fun for me, as a new entrepreneur.

3. What is the best part of your job?
Working for myself and having the flexibility to plan my work around my life instead of the other way around. I work more, but it's at my own pace and gives me the freedom to be involved in my community -- which I believe adds value to my clients.

4. What is the worst part of your job?
Keeping an eye toward future clients. It's a constant concern, especially in today's economic climate. However, I have to say, I've been much busier than I anticipated at this stage of the business, which is extremely encouraging.

5. What is the biggest lesson you've learned during your PR career?
That PR plays an important role in our democracy. Although many journalists don't want to admit it -- and the public often holds a negative impression of our profession based on the whole "spin" stereotype, the average American has no idea that much of the information presented to them in the press first comes from PR professionals. We are the first gatekeepers and if we do our jobs with integrity and professionalism, we provide an important public service whether we work in an agency, a publicly traded corporation or a non-profit or government office.

6. What is the most unique thing about your company?
As a virtual agency, we rely heavily on new technology. The Internet, email, cell phones and other tools make independent consulting much more efficient and competitive than ever before. Technology also allows me to affiliate with web design firms, graphic designers, and advertising agencies without physically sharing office space. Instead, we share space on the web - the real estate of today's business community.

7. What is your ideal dream job?
I would love to be a travel writer. I spent five weeks last year touring the U.S. by car after September 11th and realized what a diverse, interesting country the U.S. is. I've visited 48 states and have traveled in much of Europe, Mexico and Canada. If I could combine my writing skills with my love of travel, nature and people to make a living - that would be a dream come true!