Name: Erica Taylor
Age: 27
What exactly do you do for a living?
I run a fashion/accessories/beauty/lifestyle PR company based in SoHo.
What state do you represent?
I am from Kansas City and Dallas… Representing both!
Did you go to college? Where?
Southern Methodist University and Art Institute of Dallas
What did you study there?
SMU- Advertising/Psychology at AID- Fashion Design
Why on earth did you choose this career path and how did you get involved in it?
It happened on accident. I didn’t even know what PR was when I moved to NYC. I was standing outside at a party and a girl told me I should be a publicist, then walked off. My job as a retail manager was ending and so I just looked up Fashion Publicist on Craigslist and I found an internship, applied on Wendesday, interviewed on Thursday, started on Monday… fell in love! I am still friends with the girls that hired me at my first agency and in fact they now recommend ME for business!
What are your future plans for your career?
I would love to keep growing my business so I can afford to do the things I love!
What are you in love with about this profession? What are you not so in love with?
I love 99% of this job…the networking, the parties, the sense of accomplishment when a piece of press runs…. I guess the thing I don’t love is the day-to-day office managerial things but I will hire someone for that over time!
Give us an example of a day in the life of you doing what you do?
No day is typical. Working for myself is great because I can run around and work from my Blackberry. But usually, it’s talking to editors and figuring out what stories they are working on and how I can include my clients or coming up with creative ways to pitch them, which is always interesting because a lot of people think a dress is a dress is a dress.
What steps do you recommend to someone who is planning to pursue this career?
INTERN!!! It is the only way. I have read books on PR but the only way to learn is trial by fire!
What is the single-most important piece of advice you can offer a person pursuing this career?
Do not do this job just because you want to be famous and go to parties. That will never last. You have to legitimately be a people person (sometimes pleaser) and be willing to work 24/7.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
If you find what you love you will figure out a way to make money at it!
What can we look forward to seeing from you next?
Lots of new clients for the summer! A new men’s accessories line, an actor, and maybe some musicians! I like to keep my hands in several pots!
What book are you reading right now?
I’m re-reading Chasing Cool (highly recommend it to anyone, especially people who want to start their own business.)
What’s playing in your MP3 player right now?
A mix between The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, and a new artist named Jesse Ruben
Where can we stalk you online?
Website: www.ericataylorpr.com
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