We were lucky to catch up with Joice Truban Curry recently and have shared our conversation below.
Joice, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
I love this question. Thank you for asking it. It was fun to take a step back and remember how I got here celebrating my company’s 22nd year in 2022.
Kids really must be sponges and soak up all the goodness and wisdom they can. That even carries over to when they are adults. They still must listen and learn to sage advice. Up until somewhat recently, I had both of my parents to talk to which was always great to bounce ideas off them. Though they can’t talk to me anymore, the lessons they taught me carry on to great practices I use in my business. Their advice truly helps and continues to shape the journey of c3 Communications, Inc. (c3) and my career as a PR executive.
My grandparents immigrated into America at Ellis Island and my dad, Andy Truban, was the first person in the Truban family to go to college, San Diego State University (SDSU). He is my hero and I hold him with such high regard because of his hard work ethic and integrity. I hold those values true every day.
He wanted his girls to be self-sufficient, independent and have careers, so we were self-supporting and not reliant on anyone. Not going to college was not an option for any of us. He did well as both of my sisters had amazing careers. My sister was a nursing clinical director and my other, a software engineer executive. I too graduated from SDSU and of course later embarked on a blessed career in Public Relations. He set a high bar for us and all of us cleared it. He has Alzheimer’s and is in a memory care home in San Diego and although he cannot talk anymore, if he could I know he would say how not only proud of me he is, but also my sisters.
My mom (Dora Truban) taught us all to believe in ourselves, care for others before yourself and that there was nothing we could not do. I know she still guides and inspires me. She is in heaven now, but my mom continues to have an impact on my life. Her words of wisdom carries over how I conduct myself in business as I strive to bring her values to everything I do and in daily life.
A final note, I kept my full name with “Truban” in my business name to honor my family. They had all girls and no grandchildren, and I was the last one born. So, though the linage ends with me, as the youngest, it still honors my dad and mom to this day.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
We are proud to share what sets us apart, c3 Communications, Inc. (c3) is a nationally award-winning public relations agency of 22 years. We are not like other PR agencies because we are uniquely structured having our principal agency owners hands on with direct strategic senior counsel on everything we execute. Couple that with a seasoned team of PR consultants around the nation who specialize in a variety of practice areas to bring together the highest talent for our clients under the c3 umbrella and it makes for a national powerhouse top-notch team. No matter the size of your company or project, local or national exposure, we know we are the public relations agency of choice as we have the best of the best of the PR industry and the track record to back it up.
Our entire c3 PR team brings the best of the best to every project, event or national tour and retainer client we represent. We have a proven track record in executing marketing communications strategies and results driven campaigns on all levels across all platforms (traditional, digital, and social). Our unique agency model and team sets us apart from our competition because we have close personal connections with local, regional and national press from our c3 team, who are strategically placed in top markets across the country. Our collective senior team brings experience on such national brands as Cirque du Soleil, Massage Envy, Westfield Shopping Centers, Disney on Ice, Meals-on-Wheels, University of San Diego, San Diego International Boat Show, and Beneteau America, to name a few (we invite you to go to our web site and see the others we are fortunate to have in the c3 family). We have a first-rate team on every project, launch campaign or event. c3 executes everything from working with a local non-profit to national multi-unit franchises through startups and product launches, local events and national touring productions and everything in between being both scalable and affordable.
Our PR agency is a three-time national Silver Anvil Award winner (the Oscars® of the PR industry) and synonymous with having close personal relationships with clients, as well as stellar media connections and positioning expertise. c3 has dedicated nearly a quarter of a century of volunteer service and leadership to the public relations profession and the San Diego community by way of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Red Cross and the Salvation Army, to name a few. The firm is entrenched in the San Diego community. c3 specializes in three distinct areas of practice, media relations, corporate positioning, and the promotion of special events. Whether you are a small start-up, non-profit, or national brand, we are a highly interactive agency, and view ourselves as an extension of our partners’ teams. Candidly, we put our reputation on the line for every client and we prove ourselves with every project – that’s not rhetoric, but something we stand behind. Our mantra is “do our best work all the time and have fun doing it.” For over two decades, c3 has also become known as THE event agency for product brand growth and positioning as well as national touring shows, expos, conventions and trade shows, concerts, and other special events.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Surviving in tough times takes resilience, grit, a lot of work in the trenches and a tiny bit of luck. c3 Communications, Inc. (c3), started out in a recession and has endured other global events such as the dot.com bomb and now the last few years, the pandemic. At each time in history, we were all hit with a tough business environment. Sadly, during every one of those hard times, some businesses went under across many industries, including PR. In any of those scenario’s continuing business as usual does not work. At c3, we retrenched, pulled a part everything our PR firm was doing, dug deep, and asked ourselves tough questions. Questions we asked ourselves each time…How could we be better? What new opportunities can we tap? What have we overlooked? What could we be doing better to support our clients and working with media? What did we need to cut loose (that is always a hard one)? What are we doing wrong (also tough to ask oneself)? Another one we asked ourselves, what existing business can we grow. That is essential to ask yourself as there may be opportunities within your organization you may already have on your docket.
Diversity is what saved us through each of those significant times. History has a funny way of repeating itself not just in business and but in life too. You must take what is thrown at you and adjust to remain current. Yet one must always remember that what worked 5 years ago, maybe 10 years ago is probably not going to be relevant today. The word “pivot” was used nearly as much as the word “mask” in the last three years, but pivoting is a true word of action a business must take. We were doing that before it became a COVID “buzz” word and that is what has kept us here 22 years later. All this said, you have always look at your business in a mirror and be willing to adapt. That is resilience.
Most important on the resilience journey, one must have “fun.” It is infectious. Cream does rise to the top and it does not matter what industry you are in. Make a difference out there and have fun doing it. Words I personally live by and c3 operates under.
As successful as you will be, never forget where you came from. It keeps you grounded, humble and grateful for the success. And always ask yourself as we do here at c3 “What can I do today to move my business forward.”
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Creating long-lasting relationships is a “key” component in growing clientele. In every industry, you must have that as a base – whether it is financial or to network. I cannot underscore the value of networking. These relationships you forge will enable you to capitalize on business resources to share best practices and ask for help and bounce-ideas. One cannot work in a silo. Word-of-mouth is a beautiful thing. That is how c3 Communications, Inc. (c3) has grown and increased our client base over the last 22-years.
In addition, c3 is very fortunate we were chosen to represent our market by the PR Consultants Group (PRCG). PRCG is a senior PR national network comprised of very talented and skilled communications and public relations professionals working in every major US market and Puerto Rico who understand best practices and who have media and community relationship expertise. This means though c3 is based in San Diego, we have the bandwidth to work PR in every market in the US. As a PRCG member, we collaborate on projects and share high profile business endeavors. This really gives our clients and potential clients National Strength. Local Power.™
Contact Info:
- Website: www.c3publicrelations.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c3communications/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/c3CommunicationsInc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/c3-communications-inc-
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/c3Communication
- Other: https://www.prconsultantsgroup.com/
Image Credits
All are credits to c3 Communications, Inc. If you want to tag them what the pics are so the readers understand, they are as follows in order… #1 Volunteering for the Salvation Army #2) Promoting Rincon Road Reservation Brewery with our client Ruth-Ann Thorn and KUSI News’ Mark Mathis #3) A typical c3 Communications, Inc. press conference #4) Being a spokesperson at the US Sandsculpting Challenge & International Art Exhibition #5) With the world-famous and renowned Chef Bernard Guillas, formally of The Marine Room live at FOX 5 studios #6) Being the spokesperson for the Sacramento Arts Festival on CBS’ Good Day Sacramento #7) With my husband and business partner, Sean Curry, and our dear neighbor and friend TV anchor, David Davis, who is in now in heaven. This was his last press shot he ever took and story he did, and it was with us #8) A picture with my dad, Andy Truban on this 85th birthday this past Nov. (my hero and inspiration)