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Small-Business Success: Public Relations, Marketing and RAD Strategies Inc.

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Ronele Dotson1. Who are you and what do you do?

Ronele M. Dotson, APR, a native Nevadan and founder of RAD Strategies Inc., formerly RKPR Inc. We are RAD, a digital marketing communications agency bridging the gap for clients looking to grow target audience interactions with its communities. RAD generates results-driven programs, focusing on marketing communications, public relations strategies, social media marketing initiatives and event marketing.

2. What motivated you to work for yourself and start your business?

Personally I got to the point where I felt I needed to do something to further my career. I first started out as a consultant but that didn’t last long. Within six month, I incorporated the business and hired our first team member. My entrepreneurship journey grew as the business did. For many years I didn’t feel like an entrepreneur. I felt I was just working. I know now that I was developing as a leader with a desire to grow great leaders. Today that’s what drives me. It’s an incredible business that can be whatever we want it to be based on the changing market. We don’t need permission to change something or start a new process like at a corporate job. We do what’s best, most effective and provides the results are clients are after. That to me is exciting.

3. What is your greatest “game-changing” moment (positive or negative)?

Being able to recognize failure. From there being able to make the changes necessary, and more importantly continue moving forward. We all fail, but when you own a business, that failure isn’t just yours. Yes, it impacts you, sometimes quite personally. Knowing when it’s time to stop pouting is something I have learned over the years. If you can’t do that, it’s time to reevaluate why you are doing it. Failures or setbacks impact your family. They are your greatest cheerleaders and they are there no matter what so treating them that way helps to keep you grounded.I’ve learned is to rely on that, but not overburden those we love with everything because what they give you is far more valuable. It impacts your team. Remembering to keep them focused and motivated is valuable for continued success and their own motivation. You need them so treat them with the upmost respect. More importantly, I’ve learned to fail forward by developing a strong support network along with a solid leadership program and mentors who can help coach you off the ledge.

4. How do you define success?

Being content. Not thinking about the operations of the business, knowing it just is humming along. Not having to worry about doing great work for our clients. We just do. Everyday is about winning our clients business and I don’t ever want to be complacent in that regards. We need to do what is expected and more with everything. Frankly we’ve always believed that if you do great work, do what you said you were going to do and grow a client’s business, they will blow your horn better than you ever could. If a client makes noise for us, that’s more valuable thank anything we could do.

5. What tips can you give to others who want to go into business for themselves?

Good question. You know I think some people look at our type of business, a service industry, and think they can do it. And there is some truth to that. It’s not easy, but it is simple. So I would give five tips:

  1. Starting a business is the best thing you could ever do. Know your strengths and weaknesses and how those will form your business.
  2. Find others that complement you and allow you to focus on business building and strategy. That way you stay in the business but are also leading it through innovation and forward thinking. You never want to be in a rut.
  3. Set your sights big. Always run your business like it’s a million dollar business, even when may be just you. If you do that, you will always be prepared and ready to grow. Growing pains will happen, but it can help eliminate some of it.
  4. Keep your sights on what you want to achieve for yourself, family but also and your team members. Help them reach their goals and you’ll be successful.
  5. Never let your guard down. Always be looking at the horizon for changes in your industry and opportunities to show your value.
Bob Conrad
Bob Conradhttp://thisisreno.com
Bob Conrad is publisher, editor and co-founder of This Is Reno. He has served in communications positions for various state agencies and earned a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2011. He is also a part time instructor at UNR and sits on the boards of the Nevada Press Association and Nevada Open Government Coalition.

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