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CEOs under 25: Caroline Callaway
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CEOs Under 25 is an occasional, ongoing series about inspirational young executives and how they quickly worked their way to the top.
Name: Caroline Callaway
Title: Owner, Principal
Organization: Bolt Public Relations
Age at Which She First Became an Executive: 24
Current Age: 25
Heather Huhman: What is Bolt Public Relations?
Caroline Callaway: Bolt Public Relations is a boutique public relations and marketing communications agency for small and midsize organizations across a variety of industries, including technology, business, travel and hospitality, fashion, health and fitness, beauty and education.
HH: How did you become an executive at such a young age?
CC: I founded Bolt Public Relations in early 2007 for a number of reasons. For one, I had worked in both agency and corporate environments and genuinely believed in the value of public relations. However, I wanted to do more with it. To me, public relations is really getting out in the community and being involved. Not only does that level of involvement give our clients a face in the community, it also allows us to connect with a wide variety of people. This, in turn, allows us to better serve the media when they’re seeking an expert source or great story idea.
The second reason I started Bolt PR is closely aligned with the first: I wanted the opportunity to give back. Whether creating a networking event with a silent auction and donating the proceeds to charity, or creating jobs for talented professionals, I wanted the opportunity to contribute to my community.
Third, I wanted to choose the types of clients we represent. We discuss as a team which prospects we profoundly believe in and which prospects truly have a story to tell, and then we choose to take them on as our clients.
The fourth and final reason for creating Bolt PR was to give small and midsize organizations access to quality PR services and counsel. Everything we do is very personalized for both the client and the media to minimize the investment while maximizing results.
HH: What challenges did you face getting to this point, and how did you overcome them?
CC: As a young entrepreneur, age is always going to be a challenge. Prospects are always surprised at the first face-to-face meeting when they realize I’m the person that was on the other end of that initial phone call. But, once we start talking about the services we offer and the results we’ve secured for other clients, their hesitations tend to quickly subside. That’s when the reservations become feelings of excitement – when these prospects realize that as a young, hip agency, we are on top of the latest trends, the newest mediums and the top stories.
And, of course, financial sacrifices have been a challenge. I left a stable, well-paying corporate PR job to start this agency. My husband and I used personal savings (goodbye down payment on a house) to get this company off the ground. Thankfully, I have the most supportive and motivating husband. We’re two years into this, and we haven’t looked back even once.
HH: Is there anything you would have done differently, if you could do everything over again?
CC: If there’s anything I would do differently, I don’t know it yet. I have learned from every experience, and I don’t anticipate that ever changing, whether I’m 25 or 55. We should always be learning from experiences, from mentors, from books, from articles. That’s key to staying on top of those latest trends and newest mediums.
HH: What advice do you have for others looking to follow in your footsteps?
CC: Invest in your people. The team I have in place right now is a team of the most talented PR professionals I know. The right employees are out there. Be patient, and don’t settle because it hurts you, your customers, your vendors and your business overall.
Commit with your whole heart. If you’re going to start a company, know that it’s not going to always be easy. That’s why being an entrepreneur isn’t for everyone. Know that there will be sacrifices involved. But, also know that it’s the most rewarding experience when it means providing jobs, helping your customers and enjoying waking up every morning to go to work.
Finally, embrace your age and just go for it. You only live once. If there’s something you’re passionate about it, do your homework, read the books, talk to your mentors, get your finances in order and do it. For as long as I can remember, I’ve lived by the saying, “Live the life you love and love the life you live.” As a young CEO, I’m doing just that.
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