Name: Alle Fister
Job Title and Description: Principal, Founder of Bollare Communications
College/Major: Public Relations and Marketing
Website: www.bollare.com
Twitter Handle: @Bollare
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
Alle Fister: My day-to-day at Bollare is shared between:
1. Bollare team members: Working with our leadership and Bollare team members to celebrate wins and work through challenges. My favorite time spent with my team is brainstorming initiatives and working on press strategies.
2. Current Bollare partners: Meeting with our clients to learn about new initiatives they’re launching and how our team can best support those efforts.
3. Potential Bollare clients: We are very fortunate to have much interest from brands in partnering with Bollare. I personally enjoy meeting potential brand partners, learning about their business and exploring synergies.
What is the best part of your job?
AF: That it is ever changing. Every day brings new opportunities, challenges, launches and initiatives… it is never dull!
What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?
AF: I interned like crazy while I was in college and was systematic about trying different elements of PR, from interning at both a boutique and large scale PR firm to in house with designer label, Armani. Each internship taught me so much about the different facets of public relations and how by not only choosing your field, but in which aspect of that field you work, your experience greatly varies!
What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you know now?
AF: To be a sponge! There are so many different ways in which you can be extremely successful in publicity. Each successful publicist has their own style, and by surrounding yourself with smart and savvy PR pros, you sure can learn a lot!
Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?
AF: There are many! I really look up to Joe Milano, who was the VP of Shopbop (where I had my first full-time role). Joe taught me a lot about egalitarian leadership, persistence and not letting external factors slow you down from pursuing your dreams!
What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
AF: There are so many!
On the daily, I try not to take things too personally. There are so many factors that go into any one decision, and it usually has very little to do with you.
The lesson at play here is to:
- Be introspective about what can be learned in any scenario.
- Apply better practices moving forward.
- Move forward. Don’t lament too long on any one win or loss!
What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?
AF: Bollare is in the process of opening our third location—London! It was surreal to me to be taking potential client meetings with our UK lead and have such prestigious UK-based brands know so much (and be so complimentary of our firm). Made me proud!
What do you look for when considering hiring someone?
AF: Tenacity. You have to want it. The process can be taught. The passion and drive must be there!
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
AF: Enjoy the ride. The best things in life come with a ton of work. From the outside, things look easy… but push through those plateaus, and enjoy it… because as you graduate to those next levels of efficiency and success, it sure is gratifying.