Please tell us what is a typical business
day for you?
There’s no real ‘typical’ day as I work from home
but, once I’ve returned from the Gym at around 12pm, I generally log onto my
laptop and go through all the emails. I will then deal with the ones, which I
may have seen but, not responded to yet and, check all new correspondences.
I’ll go into the kitchen between 2:00 – 2:30pm and
make myself lunch which I will eat while checking our social media sites, Facebook
and twitter. I’ll schedule tweets, check connections and respond to any conversations,
which have included us as well as identify opportunities for our company to get
involved with, like this one. I’ll do
both my personal sites as well as Shiloh PR’s.
I’ll work on proposals for new businesses, schedule
meetings with potential clients or networking.
I have no specific time to finish work and will normally be on and off
my laptop until I go to bed, which is around 12:00am. I wouldn’t recommend this way of working but
for me it still does not feel like ‘Work’!
What made you start the business and how did you
get started?
My business partner and I have both worked in the
broadcast industry, for BBC for decades.
I presented a music programme with specialism in black music, while she
worked as a producer on specialist music shows for BBC Radio 1 & BBC
1Xtra. For several years, we were being
constantly asked to help music event promoters with getting media coverage for
their events.
In 2004 we were asked, by Authentic Real Music
whether we would carry out public relations for a music tour he was planning in
Europe with some major reggae artists from the UK and Jamaica. We enjoyed the
process so much that we decided that we would like to do more. Over the coming years, we did several similar
projects culminating in our most major project, - acting as the European Public
Relations company for the relaunch of one of Jamaica’s largest music festival,
Reggae Sunsplash.
Finally, in 2010 we decided to take things much
more seriously so, after indulging in our ‘hobby’ we formerly launched Shiloh
PR. In December, I decided to fully
commit to building Shiloh PR into the major entity we believe it can be, by
giving up my job with the BBC to work full-time running the company.
We’ve been fortunate to date, to have been able to
finance the company from our own personal finances and through the work it
generates itself.
What would you say has been your greatest
accomplishment in the business world to
date?
Shiloh
PR has achieved a level of success many more established companies would be
thrilled to experience. This is mainly
due to the professionalism of the founders.
To date, all our work has been awarded through repeat businesses, word
of mouth and recommendations.
We
are however particularly proud of our work with the One
Love Peace Festival:
Shiloh PR was responsible for specialist media
publicity in addition to media accreditation for the One Love Peace Festival.
The sold-out event, held at Wembley Arena,
featured performances from Busta Rhymes, Shaggy, Sean Paul, John Holt, Levi
Roots and many more.
Shiloh PR scheduled over 70 interviews,
organized press accreditation for over 100 media personnel, wrote artist
biographies for the official website, and provided editorial features for international
magazines, newspapers and online sites.
Although we are proud of all the work we’ve
done, the most impressive was being chosen to carry out European PR for Reggae
Sunsplash, which was one of the biggest music festivals in Jamaica. This was awarded to us primarily as a result
of recommendation of a Artist’s manager with whom we had worked in the UK the
previous year. He thought we were the
most professional PR outfit he had worked with and recommended us to the
organisers of Sunsplash.
Re-launching the company as Shiloh PR and Media
Training Agency in June this year at the Jamaican Embassy was also something we
could not have foreseen when we decided to start our own company.
What has been your biggest
challenge in business so far?
We’ve been very fortunate to have,
secured work solely from recommendations during the period we ran the company on
a part-time basis. Our biggest challenge now, is securing new business and
introducing additional areas to our portfolio.
There is an increase in the number of companies who
are now offering similar products to Shiloh and targeting the BME
communities. Shiloh PR however
recognises that keeping up to date with the media and in particular social
media will keep them constantly ahead of the competition.
What are your future plans for the
business?
We’ve set ourselves a major challenge –
“Shiloh PR will be the No. 1 Black owned specialist PR company in the UK within
five years”. To achieve this, our key strategy is developing strong brand awareness
and building trust in the Shiloh PR brand to achieve results. We would like to
be the go-to PR company for those wishing to reach BME audiences through the
media.
The company also recognises that working in
partnership with others is also desirable for long-term success. To this end, we are developing a group of
affiliates with whom we can work. This
will enable us to pitch for major projects, which would otherwise be too large
for Shiloh PR.
If you had to do it all over
again, what would you do differently?
Start the business years ago. I would ensure we were better financially
secured for the initial period whilst the business is getting established. I would also have thought broader about my
target group perhaps concentrating on potential corporate clients from the
outset.
Why is it so important to inspire
young women in particular to follow their dreams?
It is important to encourage people,
particularly women to follow their dreams because, many of us get caught up in
our daily lives and, stay in jobs which do not make us happy but, which we
believe we need so we can live.
Following ones dreams allows you to do something you are passionate
about and as someone once said, means “you no longer have to work a another day
in your life”.
What advice would you give to
somebody who wants to start a business in your industry?
Go for it. It is fulfilling and rewarding when you make
a living from your passion and the thing you love doing the most.
There are lots and lots of Public
Relations companies operating in this country so, you have to find your own USP
and whilst it’s important you’re aware of your competitors, try to find your
own niche.
Go for it but do your research. Try to have some finances available for some
months and be aware that clients do not always pay on time. It’s all about your contacts database and
relationship with the media.
What or who inspires you in business
and why?
Oprah Winfrey. I’m inspired by the fact
that she is self-made and has become this phenomenal person despite her
difficult beginnings. I’m also impressed
with her philanthropic ethics.
What is your favourite inspirational quote?
“Feel the fear and do it anyway”.
To contact Shiloh PR:
Email: contact@shilohpr.com
Tweet: @Shilohpr
Facebook/shilohpr
Evadney Campbell, MBE, 07716 289 171
Karen Campbell, 07811 472 007
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