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Young Guns
“ I have never been the type of person to get hung up on what I can ’ t do . I thrive on focusing on what I can accomplish and what I can do to take each of my clients to the next level .”
Sandy Sponaugle
For Sandy Sponaugle , the owner of Platinum PR and a member of the Young Guns Class of 2010 , the phrase “ the more things change , the more they stay the same ” rings particularly true when it comes to her career . Sponaugle worked in economic development before starting her own public relations firm , and today she has come full circle , returning to those roots .
“ When I first started Platinum PR , I wanted to help small businesses and entrepreneurs ,” says Sponaugle . “ I am now primarily focusing on economic development and tourism marketing and communications . I worked in economic development before starting my business , and after denying it for some time , I found it to be one of my true passions .”
Today , Sponaugle works one-on-one with economic developers and tourism professionals , training and coaching them on the most effective communications techniques to reach their target audiences and market to their communities .
Since 2002 , Sponaugle has been able to hone in on her passion to create one of the most successful advertising firms in the Eastern Panhandle . Over the years , Platinum PR has grown from a one-person operation to a cohesive team that is spread out between offices in West Virginia , Maryland and Colorado . Sponaugle claims that it is the people she comes in contact with that make running her business worthwhile . “ I ’ m definitely a people person , and I love hearing and sharing other people ’ s stories ,” she says . “ The best part about owning a PR firm is the flexibility of taking on fun projects just because I like the people .”
Platinum PR is proof that a small team can do great things . “ Through choosing to keep my firm small , I ’ ve been able to stay selective with the type of work I do and the people I work with ,” she says . “ I have a community of clients and other small business owners I can maintain deep and long-term relationships with .”
By partnering with businesses that have small staffs and limited budgets , Sponaugle is able to see every challenge as an opportunity . “ I have never been the type of person to get hung up on what I can ’ t do ,” she says . “ I thrive on focusing on what I can accomplish and what I can do to take each of my clients to the next level .”
For those who would like to follow in Sponaugle ’ s footsteps , she has a few words of advice . “ Don ’ t try to start your business right out of college ,” she says , noting the value of the experience gained by working for others . She also suggests finding a mentor or someone with whom you can share your goals and exploring ways in which the two of you can collaborate on projects .
Looking toward the future of Platinum PR , Sponaugle is optimistic about the many opportunities that lie ahead . For instance , she recently started offering online training programs and has plans to expand her online courses and online audience .
“ I wanted to offer my clients a way to gain the tools and techniques that will be beneficial to their businesses in a way that is engaging and intimate ,” she says . “ The online aspect of the training programs gives people a live experience as I am going through slides and answering any and all questions they might have .”
In early June , Sponaugle launched the first series of online marketing courses that will be taught through early September . Some of the topics include Facebook Live for Summer Events , Setting Goals and Tracking Results and Target Marketing and Messaging .
“ The courses speak to my target audience of economic developers and tourism professionals , but I ’ ve also found them relevant within many other industries ,” she says . “ My goal with these online training courses is to empower others for greater organizational success and help people help themselves .” •
MAGGIE MATSKO MOLLY HUMPHREYS
20
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE