We recently connected with Emily Taffel and have shared our conversation below.

Emily, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you take vacations? How do you keep things going – any advice for entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t step away from their business for a short vacation?

I started my company so that I would have a better work-life balance, however in the first few years I felt like I was working all the time, and not taking time off, which was quickly leading to me feeling burnt out. By setting very strict boundaries with my clients and employees, and delegating to (and TRUSTING IN) my team to get things done while I am out, I now take several vacations a year. Do I still check in via email a few times while I am away? Yep – I am still a business owner and that’s a hard habit to break, but I have cut it down to working an hour a day max while away and it has been life changing!

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

I am a social media strategist, digital marketing and publicity consultant, and best known as the founder of Mugsy PR. I represent a wide array of clients in a multitude of industries, with a focus on luxury lifestyle, marine and travel/hospitality. I pride myself and the Mugsy PR team on going beyond traditional press campaigns and utilizing innovative marketing concepts to spread visibility for our clients across the media landscape and into the public eye. Mugsy’s current roster showcases pur commitment to cutting edge creativity with clients launching attention grabbing campaigns across the globe and even into the metaverse. I also sits on the Board of Directors for the Association for Women in Communications South Florida Chapter where I helped to create their 2022-2023 programming on the relationship between cryptocurrency and communications. When not running Mugsy I also officiate weddings, I wrote a children’s book in 2020 entitled “Don’t Limit Me On What I Can Be”, and I own a feminist baby clothing business with my husband, with whom I also I have a blog and podcast upcoming!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Working in corporate PR you are taught to be “always on” and always “available”. It is extremely stressful to feel available 24-7 via phone, email, text, social media and so forth. It creates a non-stop working atmosphere that leaves very little time for relaxation or personal life. There are amazing perks to this job so publicists do “what’s expected”, but I have learned there is another way. Through personal boundary work and strong communication with clients to lay out expectations and availability, we are able to have normal working hours, less stress, and we even take time off. It is life changing !

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Previous clients have been the best source of new clients for us. We often get recommendations from those we did short term projects with, and even those we pitched and did not work with. In this industry and very small world, it is important to leave each account amicably and with proper closure so ensure those referrals keep coming in!

Contact Info:

• Website: thinkmugsy.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/emilyontheave
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Emilyontheave/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilytaffel/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmilyOnTheAve

Image Credits
Courtesy of Mugsy PR