We had the good fortune of connecting with Terry Wells and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Terry, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

I decided to start my own company after working in corporate marketing for 15 years. A friend was also starting a business and asked me to assist with helping him to build a website and marketing. I didn’t want to do it under the table so I started Press 4Ward Group, LLC on November 30, 2016.

When working in corporate marketing you’re accustomed to substantial marketing budgets. I wanted to help small business owners by offering affordable customize marketing strategies that would help them start or expand their businesses and speak to their target audiences.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

I’m successful today because I was able to transition my B2B business acumen from corporate America to the small business sector. I knew how Fortune 100 companies created marketing campaigns and I wanted to do that for smaller companies who could not afford huge marketing budgets.

What really sets my company apart from other Marketing Agencies is first and foremost, I build a relationship with my clients and I’ve come to realize every client is not a good client. My current service offerings for both sides of my business are based on current trends, gaps, and client feedback and needs.

One of the biggest challenges I had to overcome was adjusting my services to ensure we could expand into Aerial Marketing. It’s one thing to say but going through the training and FAA Part 107 certifications was extremely difficult for someone who didn’t know a thing about the different types of airspace and where you could fly, how high, etc…

At Press 4Ward, we are passionate about our clients’ success and we are their biggest cheerleaders. We even attend tradeshows and represent them too!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

As a Georgia Peach, I have several favorites in the city. If someone were in town for a week, here is the itinerary I would recommend:

Day 1 –
– Start the day with a run around Piedmont Park
– Enjoy a mid-morning Breakfast at Flying Biscuit Cafe
– Enjoy an early dinner at Empire State South
– Take in a show at the Fox Theater

Day 2 –
– Start the day with a walk around Centennial Olympic Park
– Treat yourself to a White Mocha Latte w/Almond Milk at Starbucks
– Visit the Georgia Aquarium
– Enjoy a ride on Atlanta’s Skyview Wheel
– Enjoy dinner at The Sun Dial Restaurant for beautiful aerial views of the city

Day 3 –
– Start the day with a run around Piedmont Park
– Enjoy breakfast or lunch at Constant Grind
– Visit the Football Hall of Fame
– Enjoy lunch at Mary Macs
– Take a cocktail class at 12 Cocktail Bar and end with dinner at The Roof

Day 4 –
–I know its outside of downtown ATL but take in a Braves home game at Truist Park! It’s awesome!

Day 5
– Rest and pack 🙂
– Enjoy Rays in the City or Ray’s on the River for dinner!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Firstly, I couldn’t have started my company without the support of my biggest fans, my husband and my parents. So many new businesses fail within the first 3-5 years and when I felt like throwing in the towel, they encouraged me to continue because they saw my vision and business plan.

Secondly, I have to give a huge thanks to Stephanie Sokenis and the Gwinnett Entrepreneur Center. The resources of this center are EXTENSIVE! I have never walked away from a meeting with Stephanie or a workshop and not learned something new! As a new business owner, budgets are often tight. During one workshop with the Gwinnett County Library, I was able to use the library card I had for years and really utilize their digital and branch resources. When I evaluated what the library offered vs. what I paid for, I canceled services I was paying for and used them through the library, saving nearly $150 per month in subscription fees!

Lastly, I have 4 praying women in my life who are ALL entrepreneurs. We learned years ago that we must support and pray for each other and jump in as staff when needed to ensure all of our businesses lasted over that 3-year mark. Now some of us have been in business for nearly 10 years, another has been in business for nearly 25 years.

Website: press4wardgroup.com

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/terryawells

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PcbqLLzZ5w&list=PLtO09cacGST8kIP2xtyg-S8q88JBNMGGU&index=4

Other: dronesoveratl.com

Image Credits
Oladipupo Clement, Winning in Business Summit, Session 3 Professional picture by Gwinnett Entrepreneur Center Photographer.

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