We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brooke Qilafi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Brooke thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Of course. Thanks for having me!

Success is subjective and comes in many forms. There is financial success, career success, academic success, personal success, physical and mental success, philanthropic success, and more. However, no matter the type of success you are looking to achieve, it requires action. That means taking the first step towards your goal, even when the outcome is unknown or grim.

When I made the decision to open Qilafi Public Relations, I didn’t have any clients or much capital. With the little savings I had, I took a leap of faith and created my LLC. Spending that $100 was my first step. Starting a business involved some scary investments, but I trusted in the relationships and skills I had developed throughout my career to support me in this new venture.

As a third-generation woman entrepreneur, my perspective has been shaped by my mother and grandmother. My grandmother, who was married at 18 and had two children by 24, grew tired of financial struggles at 26. Despite having only a high school diploma, she enrolled in nursing school to earn extra money while her husband served in Vietnam. Through hard work, she became the Director of the ER and went on to become a serial entrepreneur, opening and selling several successful businesses.

Another crucial aspect of achieving success is the ability to persevere through failures. Alongside my grandmother’s triumphs, she also encountered setbacks, such as dealing with unreliable business partners, enduring substantial financial losses during the 2008 financial crisis, and taking risks that didn’t yield the desired outcomes.

My mother has been a trailblazer in our family, achieving significant milestones that set new precedents. She became the first in our family to earn a four-year degree and even went on to earn her master’s degree. My mother also ventured into the healthcare industry by opening a hospice, which she successfully owned and operated for seven years before eventually selling it.

However, I attribute my ability to sustain these beliefs and mindsets to the unwavering support of my family, which also extends to two remarkable men in my life: my husband and uncle. Whether it is the support of one’s family, a partner, or close friends, having a reliable support system significantly eases the path to success compared to navigating it alone.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Brooke Qilafi, the Founder of Qilafi Public Relations, a distinguished PR agency specializing in driving earned media. With a wealth of experience in generating impactful media coverage, I have cultivated robust relationships with esteemed media contacts at both national and global levels. Throughout my career, I have successfully represented a diverse range of clients, from promising start-up brands to Fortune 500 companies. My clients have garnered significant media exposure, appearing on esteemed platforms such as Dr. Phil, Fox News, CNN, Reuters, and Insider, as well as renowned publications like New York Magazine’s The Strategist, USA Today, Good Housekeeping, Harper’s Bazaar, and more.

I studied Journalism and Mass Communication, specializing in Public Relations at the University of Georgia. After graduating, I moved to New York where I gained valuable experience in earned media, influencer marketing, building campaigns, and celebrity partnerships, among other skills.

Today, I leverage my experiences and skills to provide valuable media placements, creative ideas, and brand guidance to my clients. Through my work, I help them reach their consumers, enhance brand awareness and credibility, satisfy stakeholders, and engage with their audience.

The most fulfilling aspect of my job is witnessing a media placement come to fruition. Behind every successful media hit, there is a process of brainstorming unique angles, crafting compelling pitches, curating media lists, sending and following up on emails, maintaining ongoing communication with journalists, scheduling interviews, sharing relevant images, and constantly monitoring for potential coverage opportunities. Additionally, I develop strategies to maximize the impact of such coverage.

To me, the satisfaction of seeing an article that includes or features one of my clients is equivalent to their excitement when a journalist raves about their product or expertise.

I take great pride in the exceptional client roster I have cultivated, consisting of dedicated and driven entrepreneurs. Together, we have achieved remarkable accomplishments through our collaborative efforts.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

My clients and peers would attribute my reputation and success to my constant dedication and ability to communicate my ideas, goals, strategies, and results in an effective manner.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

I acquire new clients most effectively through word-of-mouth referrals. While investing in PR for your brand can be daunting with so many agencies to choose from, having a mutual connection who praises your work can make the process easier. To incentivize referrals, I offer bonuses for new business that is referred to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://qilafipr.com/
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/brookeqilafi
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BQilafi
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Photographer: Arlaina Axenroth Graphics: Qilafi Public Relations