Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bailey Floyd. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Bailey, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I have always been very involved with sports. Growing up, I was a gymnast competing nationally spending six days a week in the gym. I learned at a very young age the value of hard work. That perfection takes repetition, time and time again, and progress is not linear. In college, I was a sprinter (100m, 200m and 400m) at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Both my junior and senior year I was the co-track captain with one of my good friends Rebecca Earle. During this time as a leader for the younger athletes, I learned that what motivates a person is unique to that individual and how to adjust advice, methods, etc. to help meet their own personal needs.
I believe my work ethic as an athlete transformed me into the business owner I am today as sport and business have a ton of parallels. Just because you put in the work and grind doesn’t mean you will always succeed. But it’s the ability to adjust your mindset to navigate those hard days and remind yourself of your “why,” that is important. If you have a goal you want to achieve, you have to put in the work and EARN that moment. It’s key to feeling success on those great days in business and in life.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a publicist, social media strategist and founder of Bais Creative and Public Relations. I’ve been in the industry for nearly a decade, from the communications department for top sports organizations such as the San Antonio Spurs and Outback Bowl to public relations and marketing agencies as lead strategist and manager for top brands throughout Florida and the East Coast.
In 2021 I got married and was evaluating my career path and growth trajectory. I came to the realization that my values no longer aligned with the company I was with at the time. That was completely okay, but I needed to make an adjustment. I resigned from my agency in April and started to freelance, offering public relations, social media and graphic design services. My clientele quickly grew and Bais Creative & Public Relations was launched in June of that same year.
At Bais Creative & Public Relations, we are dedicated to elevating a brand’s online presence to earn the visibility they deserve in today’s digital-first world. Our boutique team works with travel, hospitality and lifestyle brands to create impactful social strategies and lay the foundation for successful media outreach.
I think what is so special about being a founder is watching the number of people I am able to impact. Starting with my team at Bais, I am able to provide a flexible work lifestyle that I think is hard to find. Some companies say they are flexible, but are they actually willing to meet their employees with grace? I want each of my employees to live their lives to the fullest and experience all the things that life presents to them while working hard along the way.
I believe this mindset pours into the high level of service we provide our clients. I feel the more I can lead, nurture my team and set them up for success, the better my team can, in return, serve our clients. From local to national brands, the communication support we can provide and the impact we can help make through streamlining brand strategies is incredible. We’ve built impactful relations with our clients, and I think it’s because we truly care and are passionate about each and every one of them. If our values don’t align, it’s an easy no and I’m able to refer them to another great company in the area that may be a better fit.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
- Take calculated risks.
Leaving a full-time secure job that I loved to pursue a flexible lifestyle and launch Bais was a huge leap of faith. During this time, I had to get very clear on my priorities and work harder than I ever had before. I said no to a lot of things because I knew I had to grind in order to be successful and get my name out there. I had public relations and social media experience, but I didn’t know the first thing about running a business. There were a lot of late nights, still are, reading the latest articles and trends from CEOs on what makes a person, a leader and a business stand out from the crowd.
One thing I’ve learned through this process is to risk being different. Redefine what is “normal” or what is “expected” of us. Pave your own path. There was a lot of “noise” when I first announced Bais that I was too young, too inexperienced, too naive… but it’s incredible what a little bit of faith, passion and hard work can accomplish.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice.
When I was in the beginning stages of launching Bais, I had the “I don’t need help” mentality. Not because I thought I was above anyone or thought I knew everything, but because I didn’t want to come across as weak or burden anyone with my questions, thoughts or ideas.
I quickly learned that building a community around you is one of the greatest blessings. Whether that is reaching out to others within your industry, finding a mentor to help coach you or joining a local niche community, it’s going to make you feel supported. I am beyond grateful for all the incredible people I have met in the past few years, and that would never have happened without reaching out and igniting conversation.
I think this also applies when hiring as you start to grow a team. One of my first hires was a financial consultant because I knew budgeting and finances were not my strong suits. Continuing to hire consultants and employees who both amplify my strengths and complement my weaknesses has only made our team stronger as we continue to grow.
- Know your numbers. Be decisive.
Being aware of my profit & loss and looking at my numbers weekly has been a game changer. I set aside two hours every Friday morning to review my finances. It allows me to make very quick, informed decisions.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
To grow and become the best version of yourself, you need a person in your life who is going to be honest with you. Cheer you on through your successes. Advise when you’re in the wrong. Share insight on how you could have handled a situation better. Provide a unique perspective. Show you grace.
For me, that person is my husband.
There is something to be said about intently listening when someone is giving you feedback. The incredible value of being receptive in order to build upon your own personal foundation of growth. Dillon always lends a listening ear and will kindly tell me what I need to hear, not what I always want to hear. While it’s typically my decision at the end of the day as the founder, being open to hearing another point of view allows me to be more mindful.
Dillon has truly been there by my side through this rollercoaster that is entrepreneurship. From late-night walks around the neighborhood chatting through a business decision for the fifth time to celebratory cocktails after signing a new client, I’m extremely grateful to have such an incredible man in my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: Baiscreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baispublicrelations/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bailey-floyd-051024109/