In today’s era of globalization, where multinational enterprises of all sizes are fighting tooth and nail to manage and maintain their relationships with their customers, public relations (PR) is the key component that can prove to be the difference between the good and the great. Although not everyone can afford it, understands the concept holistically or is truly prepared for it. Hence, having noticed the shortfalls in the market’s understanding of the PR industry, Lexie Smith stood up to the challenge and decided to fill the gaps and rewrite a new definition of PR. In 2019, intending to enable motivated entrepreneurs and companies to develop & execute public PR strategies and tactics, Lexie launched THEPRBAR Inc. an online coaching brand and education platform. “I created the THEPRBAR to establish a fun and inspiring brand that specializes in educating motivated entrepreneurs on how to expand their impact, influence, and revenue through PR,” says Lexie Smith, CEO and Founder of THEPRBAR inc. and Host of the Pitchin’ and Sippin’ Podcast.
A leader with a difference
While her life was not void of adversity by any means, Lexie feels grateful for being raised by hard-working, resilient, caring parents and credits them for instilling in her the manners and life-critical qualities of gratitude, integrity, and honesty. She thanks her parents for teaching her the value of hard work which has largely made her the person she is today. On her journey to being the best in the industry, Lexie has achieved extraordinary success: She became the VP of PR and Marketing for a High 8-figure Disruptive Empire by the age of 26, has been named as the “Rising Star”, “Top 20 in Their 20s”, “Brilliant PR Expert”, and “Top Female Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2020”. She is a chief speaker on PR and has been teaching PR and growth strategies for more than 7 years. She has successfully assisted clients/companies in securing more than 200 million dollars of investor capital cumulatively and has the largest recorded client “PR-ROI” of more than 12,000% to date.
Although the route was not straightforward. Lexie moved to Los Angeles, California after college with nothing more than what she could pack in her recalled 03’ Saturn Ion. She had to have two additional jobs outside of PR to afford basic rent, and quickly learned the reality that in the city of stars, it really was survival of the fittest. On her journey towards success Lexie recalls, “I have been the only woman in a room full of men more times than I can count. I have been verbally assaulted countless times and had the very real gender wage gap punch me in the face far more than once. I have dealt with overt sexism and harassment, and more than a few situations that were far beyond morally “just”,” shares Lexie. “How have I overcome? I’ve just kept going. I haven’t stopped. I’ve picked myself up, turned to my support system outside of work when needed, and have used all that’s inherently wrong in the workplace to motivate me and ultimately rise above.” Having had her share of adversities and failures, Lexie strongly believes in ‘you’ve overcome 100% of hard days so far, this too shall pass’ theory and doesn’t let anything demotivate her. “I thrive off of physical reminders,” adds Lexie. “For example, I have a folder saved in my phone with screenshots of kind client emails. I have photos on the wall in my office displaying my awards and achievements. I save thank you cards and well wishes. Entrepreneurship is full of ups and downs - when I’m down, these physical reminders help to ground me and pull me back up.”
Having been hospitalized nearly 30-times now from life-threatening anaphylaxis, Lexie has seen death from very close and understands the value of life. Lexie considers that as an experience that has framed her attitude towards life. “It has given me a truly unique perspective and gratitude for life.,” adds Lexie. Hence for her secret to her success lies in “just being a good human!” Lexie says, “Be kind, treat others with respect and empathy, never disregard someone because of a title, acknowledge differences but honor them equally, and check that ego at the virtual and physical door. At the end of the day a lot of opportunities are born from our network...treat your network well, and success is bound to follow.”