May 24th, 2012 
Sara Shake is the founder of Exposed PR, a boutique public relations and media firm servicing clients in South Florida and New York City. Sara’s company specializes in establishing a brand, new media and traditional public relations for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle clients.
Sara Shake, owner of Exposed PR
What motivated you to become an entrepreneur?
Sara: I was raised to be a hustler, in the most positive connotation of the word. Couple that with some deep-seeded authority issues, and entrepreneurship was the only plausible option for me. There are not many bosses out there that truly give you the freedom to reach your full potential, be creative, or take risks—as an entrepreneur, you don’t have a choice.
What is your favorite thing about being your own boss?
Sara: Total accountability. If you’re doing well, gaining new clients, and staying profitable, you get all the credit. The bad news (which is actually, also the good news) is—the converse is also true. It’s amazing what not having anyone else to blame will do for your productivity.
What challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them?
Sara: Every time we lose a client, it’s a challenge. (Yes, we lose clients—you will too.) And I don’t think anyone gets used to being fired… we just get better at it. When you stop taking things personally, it is much easier to overcome challenges. Wine also helps.
What marketing tips can you recommend?
Sara: You are your brand. Keep that in mind whether you’re slinging your product or picking out produce. Whatever it is that your brand stands for, you should embody it 24/7. And get on Twitter…don’t resist it!
Who inspires you?
Sara: My hot boyfriend, who is reading this over my shoulder. My clients. Brands that take risks, comedians that push boundaries, and interns that offer to work alongside us just for the opportunity to learn this crazy business.
What advice do you have for those who dream of opening their own business someday?
Sara: Prepare to be totally terrified, we all were (and still are). Prepare to want to quit. (At least twice a month, I threaten to close my company and go work at Home Depot. Soon after, I realize that orange is not my color.) Being an entrepreneur is about knowing how to pick yourself up at the end of a terrible day, and realizing that at it’s worst, it’s still better than working for someone else. The juice is definitely worth the squeeze.
For more information about Sara, please visit her Exposed PR website by clicking here.
If you or someone you know owns a small business in South Florida and would like to share your story, please e-mail Kara Franker at karafranker@gmail.com. Don’t forget to check back here for our next interview with a South Florida entrepreneur!
As a budding entrepreneur, I found this feature to be quite informative and inspiring. Cheers to you!