We recently connected with Amy Stewart and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Amy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Innovation comes in all shapes, sizes and across all industries, so we’d love to hear about something you’ve done that you feel was particularly innovative.

The most innovative thing I’ve done over the course of my career was take the leap to start my own business, Amy Stewart Public Relations, in early 2023.

From the start of my career, I was always climbing the corporate ladder, but not necessarily because I wanted to. More because that was what I was taught to do. I was good at my job and good with people so I was generally promoted quickly and always on a path to do something greater.

But the path to something greater was always on someone else’s terms. It was for someone else’s company. And there were no guarantees. But the thought of opening my own company had never crossed my mind. I was used to working for someone else, having a 401k, having insurance options, a steady paycheck, and all of the other great things that come along with working for a company.

Then, in late 2022, I decided to leave a company I had worked for, for five years. A company that I had helped build and thought I would be at for a long time. It was a very hard decision to make, but one that needed to happen and I’m so glad it did.

After I left, I decided I needed to take a career break. I needed to clear my head and figure out what I wanted to do next. Three months later I started looking for jobs, but nothing was sounding appealing to me.

And then my sister-in-law said she wrote a book and I started working with her to promote it. That was my light-bulb moment. That’s when I realized I wanted to start my own business and get back to my roots with public relations and marketing and help other women promote their businesses. That was my moment of innovation!

Amy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have a broad background in public relations, marketing, operations and human resources. I’ve worked for large corporations, non-profits, agencies, and start-ups.

Most of my career, I worked in fields that were mostly dominated by women. But the last company I worked for was in a very male dominated industry. It was a very eye-opening experience and made me realize that the work I want to do going forward must focus on women.

So when I started Amy Stewart Public Relations, I knew that I wanted to help women-owned and operated businesses amplify the impactful work they are doing.

My company offers traditional public relations services, such as creating press releases and media lists and pitching media outlets. I also offer social media and website services and can help with branding, blogging, and event planning.

In addition to the work that I do at Amy Stewart Public Relations, I’m also a mother of a four-year-old. She’s my real full-time job and the motivation for running my business. It’s important for her to see all of the great work women can do.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

All of my initial clients were friends and family that needed help promoting their businesses. I’m forever grateful to those women who helped me get my business off the ground.

I’ve also stayed in touch with several people that I’ve worked with over the course of my career and have found myself working with some of them again. It has been such a joy.

I participate in a variety of professional networking groups, both in-person and online, and those groups have been a great source of support, both personally and professionally, while also generating potential client leads.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Going back to my career break at the end of 2022. That was the biggest pivot in my career. At that time my daughter was two-years-old and it took the three-month-break to make me realize that working in a traditional corporate structure was no longer serving me.

I needed a job that had a very flexible schedule and would allow me to meet the demands of my new and most important job as a mom.

I never envisioned myself owning my own business, but after my career break I started looking for jobs and nothing sounded appealing. In early 2023, my sister-in-law asked me to help her promote her book. That was my lightbulb moment. I wanted to create a business to help other women promote their businesses. I launched Amy Stewart Public Relations on March 8, 2023 on International Women’s Day.

Since opening my business, I’ve met so many women that have started their own businesses for similar reasons – corporate America doesn’t work for moms. We’re all creating a work environment that works for us and our families. One that allows babies on Zoom calls, understands last-minute cancellations because of a sick kid, and doesn’t limit time off.

While there have certainly been ups and downs with owning my own business, none of it would have happened without my career break and the realization that I needed a change. It was very challenging at the time, but looking back on it, I’m so grateful it happened because I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amystewartpr.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amystewartprpro
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amystewartpr/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amylstewart/

Image Credits
Angi’s Art