Interview with Shannon Cherry, The Power Publicist, founder of www.BeHeardSolutions.com

Tell us about your business.
Be Heard Solutions helps coaches, consultants and entrepreneurs attract more clients and customers by teaching them how to use free publicity and public relations tools to create more business. We provide several products, programs, classes, as well as private and group coaching.

Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?

It’s really all about freedom for me. At first, it was about spending more time with my jet-setting husband who traveled all over the world. Now, it’s about spending time together as a family, whether home or abroad.
I was pushed into my business by a very evil boss. I knew I was helping him make a ton of money and frankly, getting no respect from him (as well as insults) while I was getting his clients on Good Morning America and in USA Today. Instead of sucking it up, and just dealing with it, I left and never looked back.
 
What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?
I cannot pick one person. I’ve learned from so many people – and still learn to this day. I especially find women in business much more likely to reach out and help me, mentor me and support my endeavors. It’s a great feeling!
But I must say, my twin daughters are really influencing all my business choices. I also learn from them every day… Things like: keep trying; don’t give up. Celebrate the little things. Do something fun everyday!

What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
Getting a small town, upstate NY nail technician a feature story in the New York Times. It was especially sweet, as she is my sister (www.NailsByErin.com )

What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?
Stop trying to be like others. You can’t. Learn from others, but don’t copy them exactly. Be yourself.

What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?
Don’t be afraid to ask for the business. I am still working on this, but I know that if I don’t ask, no one will ever buy from me.

Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you succeed?
Twitter (when done right) is a great tool for extending your reach. (http://www.twitter.com ) There are millions of people on there. Surely, there are a few in your target market as well!
Press releases! This is the main source of outreach for me. And best of all, you can use them all the time – and they are free!

What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?
I will have 6 speaking events (live) at high level marketing conferences.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
One pieceof advice has carried me through… Do it wrong, but do it strong. (That was Mr. Barone’s my high school drama teacher’s favorite saying… he was so right!)

How can our readers find you online?

http://www.beheardsolutions.com

http://thepowerpublicist.com

http://www.twitter.com/shannoncherry