Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Cytron.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
After working 13 years in nonprofit, agency and association public relations and communications, I was bounced out of a statewide accounting association through a layoff. I was always one of those people who thought he would never voluntarily be without work, but there I was – and wow did I ever feel sorry for myself. After several weeks of crying, I got some great advice from close friends: I could either continue wallowing in self-pity or do something about it.
So, I started interviewing for PR/communications positions in the Dallas area, and while I had some interesting interviews, I could not find something I was passionate about doing. Around the same time, I got a call from a vendor I managed at the state association – the national office for what was then MBNA America (now it’s Bank of America). MBNA wanted me to come to Boston one week a month for six months to consult and train its sales staff – the ones who sold associations and nonprofits their affinity cards – how these organizations thought and operated.
I had never been to Boston and the gig was really fun. Around the same time, I got a call from another vendor, a content provider an website creator I had also worked with at the association; I created the organization’s website at a time when there was the only dial-up and most orgs didn’t have websites. This company wanted me to come to Seattle do the same thing – work with the staff to develop content.
I kept interviewing locally but decided that if I could just be busy for six months and just pay my bills, I might make a go of having my own business. Working out of my son’s bedroom, I did just that – spending my days working for several clients, but also sending out a huge number of bread-and-butter letters to everyone I knew, telling them what I was doing.
One thing led to another and I soon had my business up and running with a focus on accounting and finance clients. That was now more than 22 years ago and today, my son works with me full time and I have several contractors I work with as well. Over the years, I added in what I refer to as a “professional services practice” with other niches in healthcare, law, architecture, construction and engineering. I also have a few clients who are not in the professional services’ space. The one aspect of my practice that has been most interesting to me is that 90% of my clients are not located in Dallas. They are scattered across the country and even in Canada.
Has it been a smooth road?
Of course, there were struggles. When I started my business up until the 8th or 9th year, I worried more about the money coming in rather than the work. Fortunately, I was usually OK with cash flow, so the focus shifted to being more concerned about the work than the money.
However, while my PR/communications peers slogged through the 2008 recession and some other tough times, I remained on my feet because of the niches I created, especially in accounting and finance, two relatively recession-proof professions.
I have always been amazed when I have a peer network with me who is also on his or her own, and they tell me they were working on a contract basis with one company for six or so months, but that engagement ended so now they are looking for work. In other words, they did nothing to market their practice or skills while they were working contract. I think the best time to market yourself is when you’re the busiest because you feel the best about what you do.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Cytron and Company – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Cytron and Company offers PR, communications and marketing support to professional services organizations, but niches mostly in accounting and finance. There are a handful of PR people just like myself across the country and we all know each other very well – and even exchange work from time to time. Because of the niche, clients believe I”m a subject matter expert – and thankfully, all of our work is based on referrals.
My clients tell me they like working with me because I will always tell them how I feel about the work and their business – sometimes sandwiching my remarks, but always up front and honest. If I think they are going down a rabbit hole, I’ll tell them. We are also on time with our deliverables, and if we are going to miss a deadline, there’s a really good reason why we missed it – but they will know well in advance if that’s the case.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I’m a Dallas native, so as the city grew up, I grew up with it – and experienced the good stuff and the bad things as well. I’m very proud of our city’s heritage and how much it’s grown but have not been pleased with our schools and government. As a taxpayer, I’m very interested in how our money is being spent – and I can say with full conviction that our city needs leaders who will actually lead instead of just being in place because of their egos.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.cytronandcompany.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scott.cytron
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/scytron
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcytron/
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