DeepSummary
In this podcast episode, Adam Outland interviews Heather Adams, the founder and CEO of Choice Media & Communications, a PR firm. Heather discusses the importance of storytelling and building relationships in the PR industry, sharing her journey from working in book publicity to starting her own company. She emphasizes the need for constant evolution and adaptation to stay relevant in the ever-changing media landscape.
Heather shares her experience of being laid off from a major book publishing house during the recession, which prompted her to start her own business with the support of her husband. She reflects on the challenges of entrepreneurship, such as managing finances, pricing services, and building a team. Heather also highlights the importance of listening to clients and evolving services to meet their needs.
Throughout the interview, Heather offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, including the significance of surrounding oneself with competent people, resting more, and not tying one's worth to titles or salaries. She emphasizes the value of authenticity, relationship-building, and constantly learning and growing in order to navigate the complexities of running a successful business.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The importance of storytelling and building relationships in the PR industry.
- The need for constant evolution and adaptation to stay relevant in the ever-changing media landscape.
- The challenges of entrepreneurship, including managing finances, pricing services, and building a team.
- The significance of listening to clients and evolving services to meet their needs.
- The importance of surrounding oneself with competent people and recognizing one's strengths and weaknesses.
- The value of work-life balance and not tying one's worth to external factors like titles or salaries.
- The unique challenge in the PR industry of staying up-to-date with the rapidly changing news cycle.
- The importance of pursuing one's dreams and designing the life one wants.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “When it comes to scaling her business: "I used to believe that I was a really good manager and that I also could get in the trenches. And I think as I've matured and grown and also gotten feedback, I've learned that those are areas where I have some gifting, but it's not like my superpower. And so it's best to, as my mentor taught me, hire better and smarter than you and get people in those roles that can really help you in that in that regard."“ by Heather Adams
- “"Well, if we weren't constantly evolving and staying on top of the latest trends, the technology, the way people are receiving their information, different formats -- podcasts didn't exist back then, right -- then we would be non existent. So, I think you constantly have to be evolving, developing, and staying educated."“ by Heather Adams
- “"You are constantly trying to stay on top of the news cycle. And the longer I have been in this industry, the faster the news cycle changes. So, you know, now, you know, the news cycle changes every couple of seconds."“ by Heather Adams
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Episode Information
Inside Great Minds
Adam Outland
11/4/21
In this episode of Inside Great Minds with Adam Outland, Adam interviews Heather Adams, the founder and CEO of Choice Media & Communications. The central theme of this episode is about evolving who you are as a leader and entrepreneur to scale a business in order to design the life you want.
As a leader and innovator in the PR landscape, Heather discusses the essential components for a business to have clarity in its messaging. She shares her storyteller roots and how important it is for any business to aspire to be storytellers, as well. She also discusses how she generates exposure for her clients and overcomes the challenges of an ever-evolving public relations industry.
Key Takeaways
◾️ The importance of relationship building in almost all aspects of your business, from sales to providing services, and building a team.
◾️ The two hard truths she learned while building Choice: finding partners she could trust and pricing to grow.
◾️ After being laid off, Heather stood up for herself and the future she wanted to create. She advocated for herself and teaches the mindset others can follow to build the life they want.
◾️ Listening to your ideal client can lead to opportunities, both as a leader and in expanding a business.
◾️ The opportunities found during the COVID lockdowns when all of her clients were in crisis mode simultaneously, and how business owners should look at challenges as a way to grow.
Quotes
After being laid off: "My husband looked at me and he said, 'I don't want you to take your next step out of fear.' You know, 'You have worked so hard to build this career and professional success that you've achieved. Go and carve out and design the life that you are wanting.'"
When it comes to scaling her business: "I used to believe that I was a really good manager and that I also could get in the trenches. And I think as I've matured and grown and also gotten feedback, I've learned that those are areas where I have some gifting, but it's not like my superpower. And so it's best to, as my mentor taught me, hire better and smarter than you and get people in those roles that can really help you in that in that regard."
How to stay competitive in any industry: "Well, if we weren't constantly evolving and staying on top of the latest trends, the technology, the way people are receiving their information, different formats -- podcasts didn't exist back then, right -- then we would be non existent. So, I think you constantly have to be evolving, developing, and staying educated."
Advice she would give to her 20-something self: "Number one, I would say calm down. Like, just relax, and rest more, you know. The second thing I would say is the size of your office, the title that you have, and the salary that you make does not define how successful you are, how happy you are, or what kind of leader you are."
About Heather Adams
Heather is the communications whiz who leads Choice’s impressive team of women, and one man, as they serve preeminent voices in publishing, government, lifestyle, entertainment, business, and faith-based arenas. A sincere focus on connecting with people has resulted in a diverse list of past and present clientele that reads like a who’s who of contemporary thought leadership and compelling characters: Rev. Billy Graham, President Jimmy Carter, Dave Ramsey, Jen Hatmaker, The Bachelor’s Sean Lowe, Ernie Johnson, Robin McGraw, the Johnny Cash family, Rick Warren, Marcus Buckingham, WWE Hall of Fame Shawn Michaels, John Maxwell, and Max Lucado, among others, have all called on her. Heather has played an instrumental role in helping more than 100 authors land spots on The New York Times best-sellers and secured clients coverage in elite national media.
Prior to founding Choice, Heather was head of Heather Adams Consulting, a branding, communication, and public relations firm she launched after serving as Director of Publicity at Thomas Nelson Publishers, a division of HarperCollins.
Heather is a proud alumna of the University of Georgia. She lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with her husband Matthew Adams, and their two young sons, Dixon and Thackston.
Related Links
Heather on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/heatherdixonadams
Heather on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/heatherdixonadams
Choice Website and Blog
http://www.choicepublicity.com
Choice on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/ChoicePublicity
Choice on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/choicepublicity
Inside Great Minds Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/insidegreatmindsadam
Inside Great Minds Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/insidegreatminds
Inside Great Minds Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/171523550878662
Inside Great Minds LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/insidegreatminds
Adam Outland LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-outland-54458912