“Those who find their passion will eventually find their purposes.”
As the new generation steps up to take on modern-day business, drastic changes have been observed in management. From formal uniforms to flexible timings, everything about work in general seems to have changed, and the new workforce demands flexibility.
While others struggled with managing the change, some of the newer generation groomed in the old books found a mid-way out to address and foster talent, business, and efficiency in a creative way. Emily Bergh has done this by fostering passion and purpose.
At the helm of R Public Relations Firm, LLC, she overcame stereotypes in a way that a modern-day entrepreneur would. So, without further ado, here are some highlights from Emily Bergh’s brief interview.
- Give us a throwback on your journey and a brief insight.
The path to my current role at the helm of R Public Relations Firm, LLC started by co-authoring a book in grad school that taught me the power of the written word and the value of storytelling. Having found my passion and purpose, I then dove headfirst into freelance promotional writing, most notably an ongoing gig for Taste magazine, and then I progressed through a series of pivotal PR positions at Jason Dady Restaurant Group in San Antonio, Bread & Butter in Austin, and Bay Bird in San Diego — all the while amassing specialty expertise that would allow me to branch out on my own.
Launched in Texas in 2016, my company, R Public Relations Firm, is an uncommonly customer-focused boutique lifestyle agency operating out of five national hub cities. Every day, my work is enhanced by the distinct perspective my advanced degrees in psychology, philosophy, and social work bring to my team’s campaigns. I remain motivated by my intention to better the world around me with outreach efforts and am so proud to share that vision with my carefully curated list of clients who are equally committed to making an impactful mark on their local communities.
I am a marketing and public relations professional with more than 15 years of experience delivering personalized, top-caliber PR services to diverse clients. I possess a deep knowledge and expansive application of best practices in the PR industry that produce remarkable results and exceptional outcomes for my client base, particularly in the hospitality, business, and technology spaces. For each client I represent, I aim to empower the attainment of their highest professional goals and drive their brands to flourish.
- What are your core values around which the company’s vision is built, and how would you position yourself as a leader?
My company abides by a handful of core values. First, we believe that storytelling is king. Our whole job as PR professionals, after all, is to help brands and people tell their unique stories in creative and eye-catching ways. We take time to get to know our clients and select the best opportunities for them. Second, we are uncommonly customer-focused. The health of my client relationships is of the utmost importance to me, and I take great care to nurture long-term relationships in which we can grow together. Third, we avoid “cookie cutter” at all costs. Every PR plan is uniquely designed to fit the needs of that specific client and their current initiatives. We are always nimble and happy to adjust plans as needed at any point in the campaign process.
Rather than micromanaging, I trust my team to do their best work in the manner and timeframe that works for them, so I am typically hands-off. My strengths lie in big-picture thinking, business development, and client relations, so while I focus on those aspects of the business, I allow my organized and dedicated team to thrive in managing the day-to-day deliverables. I’ve surrounded myself with detail-oriented people who complement my leadership style.
- What inspired you to pursue a career in public relations, and how did your early experiences shape your journey?
I did not set out to work in public relations; I like to think that the PR industry found me! I went to school for psychology, philosophy, and social work, which is likely why I thrive in managing client relations and find it easy to understand target audiences. I’m so grateful for my unique education because I still use what I learned daily — just not how I planned.
In graduate school, I was lucky enough to co-author a book. This experience opened my eyes to the world of storytelling and its power. I learned that words can and do make a big difference, and being able to control a narrative can significantly impact people and the planet. When other writing opportunities came up after the book was published, accepting them was an easy yes.
My freelance writing career led to PR roles at noteworthy restaurant groups and a food and beverage-focused agency. Everything I learned in those roles empowered me to open my firm in 2016, and I never looked back.
- What were some of the most important decisions that made a big difference in your business?
Over the years, a couple of decisions have significantly impacted my business. My decision to specialize in PR and media relations, in particular, was huge. It allowed me to trim the fat and release clients who took up too much time and energy from my team. We refocused our energy on the services we were best at providing, finessed our processes, and hired accordingly. Since that shift, I’ve added higher-quality clients to our roster, and client and employee retention has improved. Second, learning how to make a great hire made a significant impact on my business. I added a few full-time team members, including a personal assistant, and then stacked my team with specialized contractors. With roles clearly defined, the business has thrived with little oversight from me.
- Can you share a significant challenge you encountered as a female entrepreneur and how you overcame it?
Even though it’s 2024, I still meet more male small business owners than female ones. It’s easy to let imposter syndrome take the wheel, but I try to remind myself that I’m qualified for this role and that I’m not alone — I have my team and my family always behind me. As a female entrepreneur, the biggest challenge for me has been finding the balance between raising my five children and nurturing the business. Both require lots of time and attention to thrive, which sometimes makes me feel overwhelmed or out of my depth. But a couple of deep breaths and a bit of perspective always help me to refocus my energy. My best strategy is to do the next most important thing at any given moment.
- Any suggestions for the young women entrepreneurs out there?
I work with quite a few other female business owners, so this question hits close to home! I advise them not to hold back. Scaling a business can be scary, but don’t let your insecurities get in the way of building a business — and a life — that you love. Business ownership is not for everyone, but the right people are called to it. Believe in your instincts and surround yourself with a trustworthy team, and everything will turn out fine.
- What is your view on growing your company’s service portfolio and operational scope after 2024?
My company has focused mainly on clients in the hospitality industry up until this point, but lately, we have been branching out into the service and health and wellness industries. Taking on projects in these new spaces has been invigorating and inspiring for the team, and I hope to attract more clients in those industries after 2024 while keeping our core roster of hospitality clients alive and well.
- What does being recognized as one of the “Women Leaders Shaping the Business Landscape in 2024” mean to you?
It means a lot! I’ve poured my blood, sweat, and tears into my firm. There have been many early mornings and late nights. I’ve watched the business grow alongside my children and my clients’ organizations, and it has been the most fulfilling project of my professional life. To be recognized as a leader shaping the landscape would affirm that all the hard work and energy was worth it.
Website: www.rprfirm.com
