Small Business Q&A: Ginny Richardson, co-owner of Ginny Richardson Public Relations, LLC in Hinsdale
An interview with Ginny Richardson, co-owner of Ginny Richardson Public Relations, LLC in Hinsdale.
Q: Describe your business. What do you do?
A: GR-PR pursues free media coverage from newspapers, TV, radio and many online outlets for clients. We design websites and enhance online presence for clients.
In addition, we run a pro bono community service project called FreeSpeakers.org which has grown to six separate bureaus: Chicago, Los Angeles and Orange County, Phoenix, Washington, D.C., Indianapolis and Milwaukee.
Q: What made you start your business?
A: A local paper offered me a job as entertainment editor, and this job taught me about fabulous PR people and AP style. I began doing pro bono PR for friends, then started charging very modest fees. Five years later, I realized my sideline business (GR-PR) was making more than my full-time job as PR director at Wellness House in Hinsdale. I went out on a limb and launched it. (the same month that alimony and child support stopped.)
Q: What has been the most difficult obstacle in running or starting a small business?
A: At first, loneliness and no one with whom to consult.
Q: What's new in your business or industry?
A: The growing importance of social media — not new but it is growing and gaining strength constantly.
Q: What do you enjoy most about operating your business?
A: Definitely the writing.
Q: Is this what you pictured yourself doing when you were young? When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: Hadn't a clue.
Q: What keeps you up at night?
A: Useless “What ifs.”
Q: If you could give one tip to a rookie business owner, what would it be?
A: Stay organized and return phone calls.
Q: Who is your main influencer (Who's business philosophy or advice do you most admire or follow)?
A: My son and partner, Andy Richardson.
• We're looking for suburban small business owners (fewer than 100 employees) to feature in our Business section. Contact Rich Klicki at rklicki@dailyherald.com for more information.
Ginny Richardson Public Relations, LLC
<b>15 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 122</b><b>Hinsdale, IL 60521</b><b>630-789-8899</b><b><a href="https://www.gr-pr.com/">https://www.gr-pr.com/</a></b>Owners: Ginny Richardson and Andy Richardson
Year business started: 1979 (part-time)
Number of employees: 5