Since entering the professional world, I’ve made note of something that differs entirely from life prior. In high school and college, etc., we get to know people in so many different ways. We learn about their family, their hobbies, their likes and dislikes. Opening-up about personal things is not unheard of. However in the working world, we have jobs to take care of. Personal information isn’t an integral part of our daily lives anymore. Or at least isn’t always commonplace.
But over the last two years (namely via Twitter), I have met some outstanding people who I admire both professionally and personally. To this point, I will be writing a reoccurring ‘column’ as a sort of ‘profits and passions.’ What do people do from 9-5 and then what do they do before and afterward to let loose?
Josh Sternberg, Founder/CEO of Sternberg Strategic Communications, so kindly agreed to be my first guinea pig.
For those of us who know or know of Josh, we most likely know three things for sure: he owns and runs his own PR firm; he’s a skilled guest writer for The Huffington Post, Mashable, Mediaite and of course the PR Breakfast Club; oh and don’t forget, he’s a Yankees fan (like me!).
With prior teaching experience at universities in New Jersey, Josh “fell into the glamorous field of ‘public relations.’” After moving to Brooklyn to live with his then girlfriend, now wife, the two-river-commute proved less and less appealing. Josh decided to look at jobs that “might value an academic background,” but also allow him to learn about the real world, ultimately finding a PR firm that was the right fit for him. He’s been a PRo ever since.
A notable challenge in Josh’s professional realm is keeping a positive perspective. Understandably so, the territory comes with challenges and hard decisions I know I personally am not ready to take on. Recalling why he started his own firm keeps him focused: “I started this company because I was frustrated with previous bosses who had difficult times managing clients (as well as people) and wound up focusing on the money aspect and not the actual job.”
A specific part of his job that Josh loves is new business opportunities. “I love being able to walk into a new biz situation and explain how we can help that company grow. I also love how today’s environment lets potential clients learn about you before you go into a meeting. Clients today have an arsenal of tools to do their due diligence on you – not to mention the ease of contacting your current and former clients,” he said. “By being open, honest and available, our clients know they have the senior-level attention they’re paying for.”
Running a fledgling PR firm takes dedication and patience but also an understanding of what clients need. Incorporating intelligent and pragmatic solutions to clients’ communications problems takes knowledge, experience, and as most things in life, a little bit of luck.
Now you’re asking yourself, what does Mr. Sternberg do to relax? Any guesses?
Music. Yes, music is Josh’s passion.
After “toying” around a bit at the end of high school with the guitar, Josh met his musical matches at college and formed a band even penning his own songs (good practice for the PR world, right?). Despite the band breaking up only a few years ago after eight years of living and playing music together, Josh still plays every day for about an hour to relax or just blow off some steam.
I asked Josh if any fellow Twitter users share the same hobby. His reply included a gentle yet playful nudge at a Twitter user who recently moved into his neighborhood and just had a child (*cough cough*). The two have been aiming to get together for a while to hang out and play some music. Unfortunately jam sessions take a backseat to diaper duty. 
It would seem Josh’s complex schedule and ever-expanding responsibilities with his business and personal life would overwhelm most (raising my own hand here!) However, Josh keeps a refreshing positive perspective. His hard work and commitment have grown a PR firm that provides the top-quality service clients deserve, yet he still considers himself lucky. “I’m very fortunate, and while, yes, there are times that I lose sight of this (I am only human) I try to take a few seconds to breathe and contemplate my words, actions and decisions,” Josh said. “Also, it helps that I can plug in my electric guitar and wail away instead of getting upset.”
Tags: josh sternberg, public relations
