Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherri Fishman.
Sherri, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It all happened over a family dinner in the summer of 1991, when my husband Brad and my Dad convinced me it was time to leave my agency job and go out on my own. After seven-year stint at what was then the largest franchise PR agency, I took a leap of faith into the entrepreneurial world and established Sherri Fishman Public Relations. Starting with one client and working out of my home. Thankfully, within six months, my reputation as a solid publicist and PR pro began to spread around the franchise industry, and so did my client roster. By 1992, my husband, Brad, decided to leave the family business started by his father years before and instead join me in taking our promising PR Company to new heights. We renamed it to simply, “Fishman Public Relations.” Today, together with a very talented staff of 40+ media relations and content marketing professionals, Fishman Public Relations has grown to become the largest and best-known firm in the franchise industry. We represent 85+ franchise brands and suppliers across consumer and B2B segments. I’m so proud of what we accomplished so far and can’t wait for what’s to come. I will always remain incredibly dedicated and loyal to the franchising industry and feel lucky to work alongside some of the most talented and inspiring entrepreneurial leaders in franchising, many of whom I call my friends.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Obstacles and challenges are what makes us better people and business owners. Throughout the nearly 27 year history, I’d say four unique challenges:
1 The Balancing Act: Being the best client strategist/publicist, active new business development officer, reliable bookkeeper, wife and mother.
2) Hiring well, firing fast, training well and retaining the rising stars.
3) Always taking the high road and leading with honesty. This is a principle my Dad profused to me early on, but challenging at times for me to not take the emotional route.
4) Evolving into the New Age of the PR World – I must admit that it took a great deal of trial and error until we figured out our best course of action moving forward.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Fishman PR, the largest and premier agency in franchising, provides a comprehensive suite of services focused on helping franchise brands grow. We drive growth and help franchise brands move forward with powerful and creative PR and content marketing services. We know what it takes to create the right attention for your brand and franchise opportunity, and our team makes it happen.
Franchising has been the cornerstone of our firm. Since our founding in 1991, we have worked exclusively with franchise systems to generate franchise and customer leads through thoughtful and creative PR tactics in targeted growth markets and nationwide. When you hire us, we assign an experienced, senior-level media relations specialist to manage your account and oversee a team. Together, they brainstorm story angles, develop event ideas and pitch all aspects of your PR campaign. This approach gets results. In an average six-month period, our agency racks up nearly 2,000 media interviews resulting in a similar number of national and local media placements combined for our clients.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the “wow” factor of our spectacular lakefront, the skyline and its plethora of incredible restaurants and shops. Chicago oozes culture, cool and serious business simultaneously. I’m thankful that you can’t take the Midwest out of Chicago. That’s why I always like to say we’re the clean version of New York City. We have alleys and friendly people who say thank you and open doors for strangers.
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
