Sandy Collier is a woman on a mission to not only elevate herself, but those around her as well. She’s very passionate about helping others and we got the opportunity to catch up with her and learn more about what she does and why she’s so dedicated to giving back to her community.
Tell our readers about your business and what you do.
My name is Sandy Collier, and I am the founder and CEO of Hey, Sandy! PR and Communications, which is a boutique Public Relations firm based in Wellington, FL. My passion is helping small black-owned businesses and local nonprofits that would otherwise not be able to afford PR services.
How did you get your start in the industry and what keeps you going?
During the Hurricane Andrew aftermath and cleanup in South Florida in 1995, I met a news crew while I volunteered to distribute food and supplies to residents whose homes were destroyed during the storm. There was one specific incident when I realized the power of the media, and I wanted to be a part of it. A reporter interviewed me and asked what supplies I thought people needed, and at that moment, I remembered a young mother asked me if there were diapers anywhere to be found, so I said, “yes, we need diapers out here.” A few hours later, a large truck showed up with tons of diapers; it was at that point I realized helping people by telling their stories is what I wanted to do. The news folks, who had become my friends, helped me get a foot in the door as an intern. Working extremely hard, I literally worked my way up from the bottom and eventually became a weekend assignment editor–a position was thrilled to have! A few years later, I was offered a reporter position at the local news radio station, where I continued telling the stories of everyday people and covering the events in and around South Florida. My career then led me to two more TV stations in Cincinnati, OH, and West Palm Beach, FL. During those 20 years, I gave birth to my six children and worked hard to balance my family and career. My husband was incredibly supportive and stepped in often to handle the household so I could build my career. But I always longed to have my own PR firm, and that opportunity would come after a tragedy in my family. My husband fell ill and passed away in 2014. Faced with raising my children alone, including one who lives with autism, I knew the time had come to take steps to start my own PR agency. Hey! Sandy PR and Communications was born in 2015.
Have you faced any hardships during or as a result of the pandemic?
Yes, we did see a slowdown in terms of contracts. For example, we had two clients who had to put us on hold during the pandemic. With that said, I found that my ability to pivot quickly and serve the needs of the local TV stations with COVID related content helped to keep the momentum of Hey, Sandy! PR running smoothly. We were able to work closely with some of the smaller minority owned businesses and nonprofits by getting them on TV with their COVID related issues at a time when TV stations and other media outlets were seeking stories of everyday people. For example, one of our clients is a beautician in the Black community and wasn’t able to purchase wigs because China had stopped shipping to the United States. The publicity from her COVID related issue was enough that post-pandemic she was able to upgrade her business and open a new shop in a better location. This is a clear example as to how I was able to turn a hardship into a success.
Why is it so important for you to give back and help your community?
As a Black woman, I know the struggles of minority owned businesses. I have worked very hard to create a successful Public Relations firm with the support of family, friends and colleagues. Not everyone has the support I did, and I am aware of this. Small businesses as well as minority owned businesses and nonprofits are the bread and butter of our community and it pains me to know there are so many hard-working people out that just need a little extra help every once in a while. So, I have personally, done PR for local businesses who I know need that little extra help. I cannot provide free services on a regular basis because I too have to make a living, but I hold tight to my faith and seek guidance from prayer to know when the time is right and to whom to lend a helping hand.
How has your son having autism impacted how you run your business?
My 20-year-old son Rafael is living with Autism and he has taught me many things about life, love, family and business. Rafael requires constant supervision, patience and understanding. One of the biggest privileges I have is the option to accommodate his needs, whatever they may be. What I’ve noticed is, oftentimes, when I work with businesses who are trying to take their brand to the next level, they don’t always know how to communicate those desires to us. My son Raffie, as we affectionately call him, often comes to mind during these client meetings as I try to determine what the needs of the client are and how we can help them reach their goals. My ability to be patient, communicate effectively, and make clients feel at ease is a quality I cherish and owe to Raffie for teaching me.
How can our readers who may want to connect with you do so?
You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @heysandypr
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