Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lynette Pettinicchi, Founder of Mint & Honey, Co., located in New York, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Mint & Honey, Co. is a full-service, boutique PR and digital marketing firm creating fresh, modern, innovative campaigns that produce results that stick and have staying power for small businesses and start-ups in the health, wellness, medicine, fitness, and food industries.
Tell us about yourself
When I was a teenager, I always knew I wanted to own something. I just wasn't sure what. After changing my major four times in college and telling the communications advisor that I hated writing, I graduated with a BA in PR/Advertising.
After finding my niche in health and wellness, with a few internships, a stint in field marketing, and landing my first full-time PR role, I started a fitness blog, went through a nutrition certification, and got a Pilates certification.
When the opportunity to presented to start my agency, I took it and never looked back. Mint & Honey, Co. is unique because I'm personally invested in our clients' industries. Health, wellness, fitness, medicine, and food/beverage all filter into science. The insight I gain from being both a communications expert and an insider is invaluable for clients.
Knowing that I work with clients doing or making things that can help change someone's life keeps me motivated. And the fact that I genuinely enjoy discovering new ways to tell stories and get clients' key messages out.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Not giving up. Hands down. It's not the TODAY Show or NYT placements, signing new clients, hiring great employees, putting on successful events, etc.
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is being knocked to the ground, getting back up, and staying up.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
There are many things to touch on that are challenging when it comes to being a business owner.
One of them is that it can be isolating when your goals, workload, or mindset differ from those you lean on for support. Whether it's losing a hero client and seeing your income plummet to burning the midnight oil to ensure a release is done on time so you can focus on other things or saying no to plans because you're having a creative moment, there are sometimes things that don't translate for those who work for someone else.
And that is OK! I still adore and love my friends and family, but when the hard times hit, I try to find another entrepreneur to talk it out with.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
I'm more of a boot camp style girl versus meditation/motivational, so my tips are:
- Do it scared. That applies to anything really and is the motto I live by. But seriously.
- If you want to see what you're made of, start your first solo business and train for your first marathon simultaneously.
- Fail and fail fast. Pick your head up and keep looking forward.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.mintandhoneyco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MintHoneyCo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mintandhoneyco/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MintHoneyCo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynettepettinicchi/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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