Help me get Path off the ground!
April 19, 2013, was an extremely surreal day.
Boston was locked down and the epicenter of the Marathon Bomber Manhunt was just a few miles from my office. Having identified the bombers despite his grave injuries, my friend Erin's boyfriend Jeff Bauman was all over the news. I felt so helpless and sad for my friends and my city.
That afternoon while glued to the news I got a call from my friend Gail, Erin's older sister. She told me that the press was completely overwhelming the Bauman and Hurley families and they needed help. I didn't hesitate and immediately jumped in. In a ponytail and some ridiculous Old Navy pajamas, I cracked open a laptop. My mother's living room floor became my command center and I became Jeff and Erin's right hand (wo)man and publicist in the middle of an unprecedented manhunt.
My mission from day one has always been to protect Jeff. Boston needed a hero and Jeff needed to heal...it was such a delicate balance. I wanted to make sure the interviews and public events we did were impactful and as minimally taxing on him mentally and physically as possible. I don't think every decision I made was the right one, but I followed my gut. Four and a half years, a New York Times bestselling book, a Pulitzer Prize and a major movie later, I think we did alright. Honestly, all of that is gravy. The most important thing to me is that Jeff, Erin and Nora are safe, healthy and thriving.
This experience has forever changed me. It has challenged me, built me up and at times knocked me down. I've seen the very best and the very worst in people. The phrase "blood, sweat, and tears" doesn't even begin to cover it and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. It has been an honor.
Last week during the eclipse I had a total eclipse of the heart. Life is too short and precious to do anything but that which makes you happy. Public Relations is my passion and it is time for me to make it my full-time job. My experience as a lecture agent combined with the relationships I've established in film, publishing, and media have put me in a unique position to help others find their path, just as I helped Jeff.
Enter my newest adventure, Path Communications.
Under Path Communications I will help my clients navigate the media and find their own path to success with:
Public Relations for individuals, organizations, and events
Editorial & administrative support for authors
Unit publicity & publicity assistance for major movie studios
Speechwriting & training
Creative writing services
Social media management
So, friends and family, I am asking for a little help to get myself up and running. Your generous support will help me:
Set up my home office, purchase a new laptop, printer and other critical supplies
Cover the cost of monthly subscriptions including QuickBooks, press release distribution memberships, website and email hosting and more
Travel to and attend relevant industry conferences and events to recruit new clients
Develop a website, logo and marketing materials
Cover tax & legal services (contracts, becoming an LLC, etc.)
Thank you for taking the time to read this and considering a donation, and to everyone who is supporting this crazy leap of faith and believing in me. Thank you to everyone at APB who has supported me personally and professionally. I know my departure isn’t making things easy and I will be forever grateful for the opportunities and friendships you gave me.
Most importantly, thanks to Kristen Daly for giving me the balls.
Here goes nothing!