This Entrepreneur Built a Cosmetics Startup, Sold It, Then Founded a PR FirmJessy Fofana co-founded a company that was eventually sold to Ecko before building a PR firm while freelancing.

ByJen A. Miller

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

In this video, Entrepreneur Network partner Jen Hacker ofToast Meets Jaminterviews serial entrepreneur andLa Rue PRfounder Jessy Fofana to discuss her experience as an entrepreneur.

Fofana sold her first business, Femme Arsenal, to Ecko when she was 27. Right out of college, she and a friend began making lip balms in their kitchen. This fun hobby ultimately turned into a full-blown business once they saw its potential. Fofana was on themarketingand PR side, while her partner was on the design end. The duo began production and advertised their brand and the offers began rolling in. One key factor to their success waspublicity: creating a catchyemail pitchand sending it to the right people in media.

After selling the cosmetics company, Fofana began a corporate career in PR. After only a year, however, she beganfreelancing. With a child at home and another on the way, Fofana freelanced for three years alone, growing her contacts and gaining referrals. Eventually, she needed extra hands. That's when she launched her boutique PR firm, La Rue PR.

Although most of her entrepreneurial ventures were not intentional, Fofana believes that one of the most important aspects of starting out is publicity and marketing. Knowing where you need to be and who you need to contact to get there is key to the success of a small business.

To learn more about how this serial entrepreneur built her businesses, click play.

Watch more videos from the folks atToast Meets Jam on its YouTube channel here.

Related:What You Can Learn About Growing a Brand From the Most Influential Celebs

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Jen A. Miller

Entrepreneur Network Contributor

Jen Miller is a brand marketing consultant and content creator who specializes in strategic brand planning, content marketing and social media strategy. Her newest course Brand Camp is a training program that teaches women how to turn their passions into profitable brands.

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