Eighteen years ago, I started TrizCom PR with a vision, a really strong work ethic and probably more optimism than business sense. Like most entrepreneurs, I had no idea what I was really signing up for. I knew public relations. I knew how to serve clients. I knew how to tell stories. But owning a business? That is a different animal entirely.
After 18 years, here are the eight things I know for sure.
1. You are only as good as the team representing your brand.
Your name may be on the door, but your team carries your reputation into every meeting, every pitch, every client call and every deadline. Hire people who care. Train them well. Protect the good ones. A weak team will dilute even the strongest brand.
2. Pro bono is part of the job.
If you own a business, you have a responsibility to give back. Not everything should be about revenue. Sometimes the work that matters most is the work that helps a nonprofit, a cause, a community or a person who could never afford your services but desperately needs your expertise.
3. You will work more than anyone else.
Entrepreneurship is not freedom from work. It is freedom to work harder than you ever imagined. You will carry the stress, the payroll, the hard conversations, the late nights and the decisions no one else wants to make.
4. Put your oxygen mask on first.
You cannot pour from an empty cup. I learned this one the hard way. If you are burned out, resentful, exhausted or unhealthy, your business will feel it. Taking care of yourself is not selfish. It is leadership.
5. Nothing trumps experience.
Trends change. Platforms change. Algorithms change. But experience teaches judgment, and judgment is what saves you when things get messy. There is no shortcut for years spent solving real problems for real clients.
6. Do not burn bridges.
Clients leave. Budgets change. Agreements do not renew. That is business. But here is what I have learned: many come back. A lot of them. How you handle the exit often determines whether the door stays open.
7. Get a business coach or mentor.
You need someone who will tell you the truth, challenge your thinking and help you see your blind spots. Smart leaders do not pretend they have all the answers. They surround themselves with people who make them sharper.
8. Culture is everything.
Culture is not snacks, slogans or a cute office wall. Culture is how people feel on Sunday night before work on Monday. It is how you handle pressure, conflict, wins, losses and mistakes. Protect it fiercely.
Owning a small business is not just about building a company. It is about building something that supports real people and real lives. When someone supports a small business, they are supporting more than a company. They are helping pay for school supplies, figure skating lessons, cheer uniforms, groceries, mortgages and dreams. They are investing in a family, a community and someone brave enough to build something of their own.
After 18 years, I am still learning. But I know this: small business ownership is hard, humbling, exhausting and deeply meaningful. And I would do it all over again.
Keep on Keeping on!
Jo Trizila
Founder and CEO
TrizCom Public Relations
Everyone has a story. Let TrizCom PR tell yours!
About the Author:
Jo Trizila – Founder & CEO of TrizCom PR
Jo Trizila is the founder and CEO of TrizCom PR, a leading Dallas-based public relations firm known for delivering strategic communications that drive business growth and enhance brand reputations as well as Pitch PR, a press release distribution agency. With over 25 years of experience in PR and marketing, Jo has helped countless organizations navigate complex communication challenges, ranging from crisis management to brand storytelling. Under her leadership, TrizCom PR has earned recognition for its results-driven approach, combining traditional and integrated digital strategies to deliver impactful, measurable outcomes for clients across various industries, including healthcare, technology and nonprofit sectors. Jo is passionate about helping businesses amplify their voices and connect with audiences meaningfully. Her hands-on approach and commitment to excellence have established TrizCom PR as a trusted partner for companies seeking to elevate their brand and achieve lasting success. Contact Jo at jo@TrizCom.com.