As founder of Rembrandt Communications, LLC, Rembrandt provides public relations and writing services to small businesses. Through her efforts, she has been able to increase publicity for her clients through media avenues such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and Detroit Free Press, to name a few. Her business may be new, but it is growing. Rembrandt Communications has basically doubled in size over the last two years!
With more than 15 years of experience in the industry, Rembrandt has worked in a variety of public relations sectors. This has included working at the UCLA Medical Center, the Bruin Kids Camp, a workers’ compensation company, and a large PR agency as well as working as a media specialist for a Fortune 500 company.
“With these enjoyable experiences, I decided to start my own business and specifically help new entrepreneurs succeed via writing and publicity efforts,” Rembrandt said. “With Rembrandt Communications (www.rembrandtwrites.com), I work harder than I ever have, but I love running my business, talking to people all over the world, and being in control of my destiny. The sky is the limit, and I enjoy helping others fulfill their dreams of startup success!”
As an award-winning writer, Rembrandt has also contributed to national publications but modestly explained that her “best rewards come from seeing a pitched story in the media” for a client.
“After working hard for many hours, it is a great feeling when my clients start to realize their small-business dreams due to their newfound publicity,” Rembrandt said.
Rembrandt attributes part of her success in the public relations industry to her theater background.
“After having to compete against hundreds of others singing, dancing, and acting to get a single job, calling media members on the phone to pitch a story is a piece of cake!” she said. “My theater training significantly increased my self-confidence and gave me the ability to deal with many different kinds of people, issues, and rejection.”
| Q. What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t working? A. When I’m not working, you can usually find me teaching tap, jazz, or ballet at the local dance studio or underwater scuba diving! Q. Who is your role model? A. I don’t have just one role model. There are many different people who have influenced me in various aspects of my life. And I think my career success is a conglomeration of the inspiration, feedback, and assistance I’ve received from each one of them. Q. What songs are on your iPod right now? A. When I’m not catching up on business-related podcasts, I like anything you can dance to - music by Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, 80s tunes. I also like to listen to classical music. Q. What was the last magazine that you read? A. Fast Company. |
For those professionals and/or students looking to break into the public relations industry, Rembrandt offered this advice:
“To be successful in public relations, it’s important to have self-confidence. Also, it’s imperative to have excellent writing skills.”
She also suggested working as an intern at a large PR firm and reading as much as possible about the field.
“If you really want to be a publicist, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t! If that’s your dream, write down your goals, and don’t let anything stand in the way of your success! Then you’ll never be one of those people who has regrets and says, ‘What if?’”