Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Hicks Anderson.
Erica, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I began my journey shortly after graduating from Florida A&M University. I was an ex-thespian looking to explore a new industry but also find a career in an area that fit well with my personality. You see, if it wasn’t for Theatre, I would not have been able to afford to go to college. Drama was my first love but I quickly fell out of love by my junior year when I got a taste of the grind. For years, my husband tried to convince me to study business and/or public relations. I thought it was a stiff move but I was so wrong. In 2009, I decided to quit all three of my jobs in retail to move to New York City. Shortly after working odd jobs, interning, volunteering, ghost pitching and sleeping on my friend’s couch for months, I decided to go back to school to get a Master’s degree from New York University. I even landed a nice partial scholarship and a coveted spot in the PR department at Vogue Magazine. I took 4-5 classes per semester in the evening, so I could work during the day to get the experience I needed. These days were very hard – I immediately felt “late” to the game (I was in my early 20’s). I studied Corporate Communications at night as a full-time student and worked in Public Relations industry during the day for two long years. It was extremely exhausting and my whole life revolved around my career. I fought hard to squeeze in a social life but every hour was allotted to something pertaining to my dream.
After graduation, I became a PR consultant for many of my dream companies including IMG Fashion, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Tommy Hilfiger, Gilt Groupe, and KCD Worldwide. For several years, I got to eat, sleep, and breathe public relations by freelancing for some of the best companies in the world – the experience was life-changing and I contribute all of my success today from training with the best (long 10-12 hours days and weekends). Before launching my own firm, PR VEIN, I had the pleasure of working for The Net-a-Porter Group executing complex public relations strategies, planning events and cultivating life long media relationships. For 9 years, I have given my all to my work and I have strengthen my skills as a top strategic publicist today.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. I wish! I ran into many road blocks along the way. You are looking at an ex-theatre geek who just knew her future was filled with acting, singing and dancing. 15 years ago, you could not tell me I was not going to be on the big screen or on broadway doing the thing that made me feel special. I fell in love with Drama at a young age, 12, after my mother died and entering foster care. I felt hopeful, lonely, completely defeated, mostly angry. I was mad at the world for a long time. I did not know how to smile, how to find the strength, how to identify the right career or even where to start since I am the first college graduate in my family. The best advice that I can give is to dig deep within your soul for motivation. Life is hard and you have to encourage yourself if success is your desire.
When I met my foster dad, I knew instantly that one day, I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I replayed images of him running his small moving and towing business in my head for over a decade. I did not always have positives images around me as an inner-city kid from Liberty City in Miami, FL. You have to crave success and work tirelessly to combat the road blocks of life in my neighborhood. Write your goals down and study them. I stare at my goals on a piece a paper and I pray over the goals. My aunt who raised me taught me how to pray and how meaningful a prayer life is. I evaluate goals every three months. Hold yourself accountable. If that’s not enough, create a circle of women to push you and challenge you. It takes one hungry soul or a village. I was a hungry soul. Every stumbling block fueled my thirst for career success.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about PR VEIN – what should we know?
I am a strategic communications professional. In short, I oversee the way brands and people tell their stories, market their products and manage their public profile with the use of strong media (the news stories in magazines, the interviews on TV, the clothes and accessories worn by celebrities, the runway shows, the speaking engagements, the ad campaigns). Branding is the most important area for most businesses looking to strengthen their relationship with their target audience. I am a strategist, a storyteller, a business mentor and a part-time college professor. I love creating public relations strategies and innovative campaigns that evoke positive responses.
When our campaigns go viral or land alongside a huge celebrity, that is a win-win for us. I have spent the last 9 years specializing in public relations for fashion, entertainment and lifestyle brands. As a firm, we also work with talent to enhance and/or create a brand for influencers, thought leaders and some of the world’s smartest women and men. After launching PR VEIN, I shifted my focus to support small brands and emerging start-ups to gain national exposure. I spent years working with big brands, notable designers and big-name companies so I wanted to challenge myself by helping more small brands break through the crowed space of traditional media, digital media and social media.
I am most proud of my ability to use my skills to effectively grow a brand rapidly – we mean business! I aim high and I always land on top. I’ve asked my counterparts what sets me apart from others. Many have said the same thing over and over. I am more than just a good strategist, marketer and publicist, I am a critical thinker who thinks three steps ahead to seal the deal. I am smart, creative and very persuasive. This starts with understanding the goals and the challenges ahead. When you plan for failure and success, you will always win! I am a realistic strategist who understands the changing market. PR and marketing continues to shift so it’s vital to stay ahead and not just keep up.
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
Competition. Too often, we compete with one another because women in leadership roles are still fairly slim. Especially in my industry, everyone is replaceable and if you cannot get it together, someone is waiting on the sidelines to step up and push you out. It is important to work together and that starts by working smarter and as a unit. You grow, I grow, we grow together. I am a tough boss but I grow people (my team and my clients).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.prvein.com
- Email: info@prvein.com
- Instagram: @fabulouslyErica
- Facebook: @PRVEINLLC
- Twitter: @prvein
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