Interview with Stella Peterson, CEO and founder
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: I began as an on-air news reporter in Cheyenne, Wyo., and then moved to Denver to work for an ad agency. I worked closely with a company called High Sierra for 10 years and built them from a small bag company to a leading outdoor brand. They were then acquired by Samsonite LLC. From there, I built relationships with new clients and grew my boutique agency. I love to be creative, to be a story teller and having the opportunities to talk about my clients’ success.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: We are multifaceted in our approach to PR and marketing. Rather than a singular focus, we work to understand our clients’ complete needs. Because of the strengths of my staff, Stella PR + Marketing is able to provide strategic counseling, crisis management, social media, product launches, media relations, web design and more. Our many options are available to a diverse set of clients.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: Working with clients that help make Colorado great. It’s always amazing to watch clients reach their full potential. It’s a fulfilling line of work.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: One of the biggest challenges is getting clients to see their full potential. It’s sometimes hard to get our clients to believe in themselves and their company and to get them to see what we see.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: Not many ad executives are from South Dakota. I learned my work ethic from my father, who sheared sheep traveling back and forth from Texas to South Dakota. I got my first job when I was old enough to jump inside a large bag to stomp wool. Eventually, I would be old enough to help my dad shear sheep and write the paychecks for my father’s workers. Higher education wasn’t something I thought about — I didn’t even know what a community college was when I went to high school. Later, however, I followed a job opportunity and attended a community college in Wyoming. I worked my way through community college (both Laramie and Red Rocks) and then went to Metropolitan State University of Denver to become my family’s first college graduate. I then earned a graduate degree from University of Colorado Denver and I graduated at the top of my class. Now I have been nominated for the Denver Business Journal’s “40 under 40,” which recognizes Colorado’s up-and- coming leaders. Looking back, I am so thankful for where I came from and where I am today.
Profile
Business: Stella PR + Marketing LLC
Address: 4251 Kipling St., Suite 190, Wheat Ridge
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Founded: 2012
Contact: 303-550-9338,
Employees: 2
