Hidden Gems: Meet Stacia Crawford of Stay Ready Media

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacia Crawford.

Hi Stacia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
I began my career as a TV news producer. I worked in some of the largest television markets in the country, including Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Haven, and Chicago. I loved the industry but quickly learned how demanding it can be. TV news is a 24/7 operation, so I got accustomed to going to work at odd hours: 5 am, 3 am, 10 pm, you name it. I won numerous awards and was recognized nationally for my achievements. 

I was laid off in 2013 when my station’s new general manager decided to cancel the show I produced, even though it was the highest-rated midday show in the market. I knew I had to pivot and use the skills I had developed over more than 2 decades. I turned to public relations and media training. 

That’s when I started my company, Stay Ready Media. I specialized in helping small businesses get the recognition and visibility they deserved. I have been able to work with some phenomenal businesses and entrepreneurs including chefs, nurses, wedding planners, authors, non-profits, you name it. My team and I focus on helping hidden gems share their messages and grow their brands. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. At first, I did a lot of comparing myself to others in the field. Instead of highlighting my skills and expertise, I felt like a fish out of water. I looked at what others in the PR industry were doing and what they were charging. I found it difficult to replace my TV salary. 

While I was trying to gain my footing and make a name for myself in PR, I got offered a producer job at another TV station. I hadn’t even been looking for a job. A colleague from a competing station hunted me down and asked me to come work for them. I reluctantly took it. I felt like a bit of a failure in business, but I believed that producer job was the lifeboat I needed at the time. I spent six years at that station while I continued to build my business on the side. I worked overnights and weekends at the TV station and grew my business during my off hours and on my off days. I hired a business coach who helped me with my business strategy and my mindset. It was a real grind, but I was determined to make it work. Before long, my side hustle income had surpassed my full-time job, and I was ready to strike out on my own again, this time on my own terms. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Stay Ready Media?
Stay Ready Media is a boutique PR agency that works with entrepreneurs, small businesses, authors, and experts. We help hidden gems become household names using the power of traditional media. Our clients get booked on TV programs of all sizes, from local news to national platforms, including Good Morning America, The Today Show, and CBS Mornings. Our clients’ stories also grace the pages of nationally recognized publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair, Martha Stewart Living, Vogue, Oprah Magazine, and many more. 

What’s next?
We have big plans for the future. We are currently adding new programs to our offerings. In addition to our done-for-you public relations services and media training, we also show authors, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders how to become their own best advocates and share their stories in their own way. 

Our courses and group programs will increase access for clients who may not have large budgets for a PR firm but still need to reach millions of people to grow their brands. 

We look forward to seeing more of our clients in the limelight and using their voice to change the narrative and transform the world. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stayreadymedia.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stacia.crawford.39
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacia-gray-crawford/