A feature about the women of Optimal Level; their stories, successes, challenges, and opportunities.
Beth Ciesla, Ciesla Media Strategies
For some reason, many people starting out in business think there is a magic key and secret formula known only to existing and successful business people. Beth shares her thoughts when first starting a fast growing, successful public relations firm. Having some concrete, valuable experience developed before starting her business, Beth discusses what she likes best about being a business owner and how she feels about her clients. Read her blog to find out about her goals, luck, and what she would ask a business guru.
What is your background and how did you get into your business/career?
My background is in broadcast journalism. I double majored in English and Political Science at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and earned my M.B.A. from Kellstadt School of Business, DePaul University. I knew at the age of 15 that I wanted to be in broadcast news, so I took writing and government classes believing that would be a strong background to get me into the journalism industry. I reported and was eventually News Director at my college radio station, WPGU-FM. I also interned at FOX News. I got my foot in the door as a studio technician at the CBS affiliate, WCIA-TV, in Champaign, Illinois. I started off on the ground floor – building sets, changing light bulbs, running studio camera and floor directing. Shortly after, because of my political experience, WNIT-TV (PBS) in Elkhart, Indiana hired me as a Producer/Director for several of their political talk shows. From there I moved to WNDU-TV in South Bend, IN to produce morning, noon and eventually the coveted 6pm newscasts. I made it back home when FOX News Chicago hired me as a writer/producer for their morning show. I produced Bob Sirott’s “FOX Thing in the Morning,” and created & executive produced “FOX Chicago Perspective with Walter Jacobson.” After nearly 12 years in the broadcast industry, I left to start my own media/public relations firm, Ciesla Media Strategies, Inc.
What is your business and how is it unique?
Ciesla Media Strategies, Inc. is a public relations firm that helps companies/organizations use communication tools to strategize and create the client’s message and get it across to the target audience (whether it be their customers, others in their industry, the media or government officials) in the most effective and efficient manner. We’re unique because we offer senior-level personal attention while providing a full range of communications services needed to convey the client’s message.
Who are some of your clients; what do you especially appreciate about them and how have they reacted to your service or product?
Midwest Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Altria Corp., RTA (Regional Transportation Authority), Porte Brown LLC and Green Thumb Florist are just a few of my clients – I work with big corporations all the way down to the small family owned business. I appreciate the clients who let me do what I do best. They don’t question all of my steps on how I get the result; they just know I’ll achieve their objective. Having that freedom is what I enjoy most about working for myself.
What do you like best about what you do?
The smiles and thank you’s from a client after a project is completed.
What role does passion have in your work?
Passion is everything for me. If I didn’t love what I do, I’d pursue another career. Life is too short to not enjoy your work and the part it plays in your life.
When you first started were you able to visualize your expected final outcome?
I don’t feel like I’ve reached my final outcome… there’s still so much for me to do in my career. But I’m definitely on the path I set out for myself… of course there are always a few bumps along the way, but those are there just to make sure I never take my success for granted.
Can you tell us about that final outcome – what will your business look like then?
I hope I walk away from my business with my clients pleased with the service they received and know that I made a difference in the lives and businesses of those I touched. How big or small will Ciesla Media Strategies, Inc. be by then? I don’t know – but I know I’ll leave it as a success.
What were your top three obstacles/challenges?
I have two. I think the top obstacle was setting up the business. I have the business background from my M.B.A., but it still made me nervous at first to go out on my own. And I worried about whether I’d be able to make a steady paycheck. Another challenge was firing the bad/difficult client. It’s never a pleasant thing to have to do.
How do you deal with doubt, fear, and self recrimination?
Depends on when those self-defeating practices come about… if I’m in the middle of a project that’s under deadline I have to push them out of my mind and push full-force to complete the project. But, if I have the time to think about it, I talk to different friends or family members - either those in the business, or if I need a different perspective I’ll ask my close friends, those who know me so well, what they think. I have the best group of friends and family– they’re so supportive!
If you had the opportunity to get the best advice from a business guru, and could ask only question, what would your question be?
I’d ask Warren Buffett if I could be his right-hand person!
As you look back, what is the one thing you wish you knew when you started?
I wish I knew that I wasn’t alone in the doubt/fear of starting my own business. When I first started out, I thought all the business owners I ran into had the answers and somehow I was missing it – but as I networked more and more and made such incredible new business friends I realized that almost everyone had the same fears I did. Somehow there was nothing to be afraid of anymore.
Any regrets?
I try to make it a practice to never have any regrets. So far, so good!
Do you believe luck has something to do with you getting to where you are now?
Not really, because if luck had been involved it would have been a lot easier to get here. I put in so much hard work, sweat and tears – I know I definitely worked for what I have.
What is the best piece of advice you have for other women on their way to their Optimal Level?
Make sure what you do in business and in your life is making you happy. You cannot reach your optimal level if you’re second-guessing your decisions.
