Have you ever felt like you were on top of the world, only to realize you were climbing the wrong mountain? 

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That was me…

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A few years ago, I was living every entrepreneur’s dream. I co-founded TrapTap, an IoT device that skyrocketed to success. But beneath the headlines and investor excitement, I felt disconnected. The real thrill for me wasn’t in the product itself. It was in how we got people to care about it. The marketing, the storytelling, the media strategy… that was what fired me up.

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So, I made the boldest move of my career. I walked away from the startup world and built Don’t Be A Little Pitch (DBALP), a PR agency that helps brands craft stories that people actually want to hear.

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And here’s what I learned along the way…

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From Startup Founder to PR Entrepreneur

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Before founding DBALP, I saw firsthand how a compelling story could drive massive success. TrapTap was more than just an IoT device, it was a story people connected with. In just 60 days, we hit $1 million in sales across 20 countries, landed features in TechCrunch and Popular Mechanics, and even secured a deal on Dragons’ Den. (You can watch me here: https://vimeo.com/500232828)

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But success on paper doesn’t always mean fulfillment. I realized my passion wasn’t in selling a product, it was in shaping the narrative that made people pay attention. That’s when I understood: the right story isn’t just about media coverage. It’s about momentum, credibility, and influence.

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At DBALP, we don’t just push out press releases, we create real, engaging stories that make brands unforgettable.

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What It Took to Reinvent Myself (and Not Fall on My Face)

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Switching industries wasn’t easy. I had to start from scratch, navigate setbacks, and prove myself all over again. But the same storytelling skills that helped me scale TrapTap became the foundation of DBALP.

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I built the agency on one key principle: authentic, narrative-driven PR beats traditional marketing every time. Instead of relying on press releases and paid ads, we help brands craft meaningful stories that make people care. That’s how we’ve helped startups and businesses get featured in major media and stand out in crowded markets.

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Making a big career pivot is terrifying. Here’s how I made it work:

• ‍Leaning into my strengths – Even when running a tech company, I was always drawn to storytelling. Instead of forcing myself to stay in a lane that no longer excited me, I doubled down on what I loved.‍
• Translating past experience – The skills I used to scale TrapTap—building hype, getting media coverage, crafting a compelling brand—became the backbone of DBALP.‍
• Building the right team – I surrounded myself with people who believed in the power of storytelling and shared my vision for making PR more authentic.‍
• Saying yes before I felt ready – If I had waited until I had everything figured out, I’d still be stuck in the planning phase. Sometimes, you have to take the leap first and trust yourself to figure it out along the way.

Hard Truths That Transformed My Business

When I left the startup world to build a PR agency, there were moments when I questioned if I had made the right choice. Moments when I thought, “Maybe I should have stayed in my comfort zone.” But looking back, every challenge taught me something invaluable. Not just about business, but about what it takes to build something that lasts.

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Here are three lessons that changed everything:

• Authenticity Wins, Every Time – People can smell BS a mile away. Whether you are pitching investors, media, or customers, you have to be real. PR that feels forced or overly polished falls flat.
• Resilience Separates the Winners from the Quitters – Setbacks are inevitable, but how you handle them is what matters. Every “no” pushed me closer to the right “yes.”
• Your Network Is Your Superpower – No one builds a successful business alone. The right partnerships, mentors, and collaborators will take you further than any solo effort ever could.

If I could rewind, I’d stop second-guessing myself. I wasted too much time overthinking and waiting for the perfect plan. The truth? There is no perfect plan. You just have to start.

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Helping Brands Own Their Story

Today, DBALP is thriving, and we’re helping businesses craft stories that get them noticed, respected, and remembered. PR is evolving, but one thing remains true: A great story will always win.

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Are you ready to stand out and own your narrative? Let’s create a PR strategy that gets you noticed. Book a call with DBALP today!

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