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We'd love to learn about your business and what you do. Can you share more?
In 2004, I began my PR business, after working for sixteen years in the field of PR, marketing and serving as spokesperson and as PIO for several state agencies, and as a Georgia Lottery Corporation start up team member. After relocating to my home town in Florida, I started a family. I wanted to have a flexible work schedule to assist my son who was diagnosed at age six with a learning disability. I segued into solo preneurship and became active in my local chamber at the time, which helped my business tremendously! My offerings include communications strategy, media relations, writing in the form of ghost writing, copy writing, articles, and blogs. I coach executives and authors utilizing self-awareness techniques for help with focus, avoiding burnout, writing, and learning how to prioritize being present to enrich every part of living, whether its family life, your love life, work, or hobbies. I love my chosen career for the diversity and utilization of my top skills, because that makes it fun. I love writing because it enriches my life through expansion of time. I love helping people become self aware so they discover their passions, their gifts and share them. This helps everyone because then we all share our joy of living.
Achieving a balance between personal life and business demands is a hot topic. What strategies have you found effective for maintaining harmony in your life?
The work life balance begins with us, right? Knowing yourself is key. The reason I started working for myself , was due to my son's diagnosis with a learning disability when he was six years old. I wanted to have the flexibility to determine my schedule, so I could be available for him, his education and access to programs that accelerated his learning.
One must be comfortable with working later at night, earlier in the morning, and slower weekends to get it all done. Not to the exclusion of family, but in away that accentuates one's best time of day to accomplish work related tasks. It also requires being present, creating stillness to review obligations and prioritize the most meaningful and inclusive activities that promote well being.This can be done at the beginning of a week, a month whatever works for you. I think sometimes people say yes to everything and end up in burnout. This tactic allows for review and eliminating things that are absolutely necessary in order to strike a balance before you burnout. I made my family the priority while my son was young, and was able to schedule work related meetings, gatherings, etc... in that context. By now, I know myself well and know what works best for my productivity and creativity.
How do you leverage community and collaboration in your business strategy? We're keen to explore how female entrepreneurs are strengthening ties and creating synergies with other businesses and community members.
Leveraging community and collaboration in business is the most important part of a business strategy. First, it feels good to contribute to the community. Second, its fun to network and bring people together in an exchange that is mutually beneficial. Third, business is community, and we cannot forget that.
Failure is often seen as a taboo subject, but it can be a powerful teacher. Could you share an experience where you faced failure and how you turned it into a learning opportunity?
My superpower is not seeing any situation as a failure, but always as a way to pivot or take another path.The things that may not work out were not meant to, and we see a different perspective from the experience.
Every entrepreneur faces hurdles along the way. Can you talk about a significant obstacle you've overcome and what you learned from it?
Sure. I think every entrepreneur has faced periods of second guessing or self-doubt.
The learning experience is to stay positive, analyze what you learned from the situation, and get up and do it tomorrow with a smile on your face. Ten years ago, I attended a writing retreat in Glastonbury, England. I was inspired within a 72 hour period to write a book about self awareness and how to lead a more fulfilling life. I pivoted my career to spend half my time devoted to writing and serving as a self awareness advocate. So, pay attention to your instincts, and believe they serve you in the best possible way. Today, I am working on my fourth book about how to navigate love and relationships in a manner that allows for healthy self worth and understanding how our upbringing, and our parents as role models, impacts our decision making process which in turn bleeds into our relationships. If we can observe a situation, a hurdle, without a knee jerk reaction, then take time to respond instead of reacting it serves everyone involved in a more constructive way. It's not easy, I know but it's worth it.
What advice or tips would you have for other female founders starting their businesses?
Believe in yourself first through purpose and your overall passion for the project, book or business. What feels right, and good is for you. What feels negative and goes against your moral code, most likely is to be avoided. Always volunteer for a charity you believe in, make it a priority. Serve as a mentor to younger women. Every day is a new chance to do what you love, the past is just that. Learn from it and move forward. Smile and be kind, always.
Susan is also hosting a retreat in the South of France late June 2026. To learn more: https://snefzgerpr.wordpress.com/join-us-in-rejuvenation/
Find Susan on Instagram at @snefzgerpr and @tips_for_fearless_living
Photo by Damon Higgins
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