BBW Member interview with: Nina Pfister, Founder & President, Mooring Advisory Group, Inc.

Nina Pfister, Founder & President, Mooring Advisory Group, Inc.

@BostonKnotlight

Less than a year.

Yes, born and raised on the south shore.

I had spent nearly a decade grinding in the corporate world, gaining professional experience in Marketing, Public Relations and Sales at a global media company (& PR agency in between). When my son was still an infant, I made an aggressive career decision to take on an executive sales role at a tech startup that allowed me to work remotely, assuming I would have more flexibility if I didn’t commute to an office—but I was mistaken. The position required lots of travel with little room for balance, and I felt as though I was abandoning my son and my extremely patient & supportive husband (Steven) who held down the fort while I was gone amidst his own busy full-time career. My breaking point involved sobbing uncontrollably alone on an airplane, plagued by guilt and a deep desire to transform my life. I needed more balance, plain and simple. It wasn’t the startup’s fault that I chose the wrong role, it was up to me to make a change. After I returned from that trip, I had important conversations with my husband, family, friends and mentors who all thankfully encouraged me to follow my gut and venture out on my own to build something new. I had done Marketing and PR consulting for our family’s steel construction business over the years, and my mother re-emphasized that there was a growing, local market for small business owners who needed affordable, outsourced help. Mooring Advisory Group was founded just one month later as a full-service Marketing, PR & Sales boutique agency for local, small-medium sized businesses…and I’ve never looked back!

One of our clients just recently offered a wonderful testimonial: ``I’ve been working with Nina of Mooring Advisory Group for several months now and am very pleased with the experience and results thus far! Nina and the rest of the team really took the time to listen to my business goals and tailored a public relations plan to suit my unique needs. From pitching earned media opportunities to building brand credibility via speaking engagements, events, and other partnerships, MAG has helped me define my business objectives and achieve measurable results. Professional, yet completely personable, MAG’s strong commitment to monitoring growth and measuring sales makes for a practical, organized, and easy-to-implement approach to PR. Nina has been motivating force to work with and is always available to brainstorm new ideas and goals as they come. Plus, she always keeps me on track! Whether you're a solo-entrepreneur or a bigger business, I definitely recommend MAG for taking your venture to the next level! -- Valerie Sarron, Owner & Operator, VS Photography

The best advice I've ever received is to embrace change. As a type A personality who often prefers structure and routine, it's important to be agile and open yourself to new opportunities that can be life-changing in the long run.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

My secret weapon is strong time management skills that I've acquired over the years to achieve balance at work and at home. As a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and business owner, I have to map out each and every day in order to accomplish my goals, both personally and professionally.

I believe it is essential for young, emerging leaders to wear two very important hats. The first is to be the humble student, who can identify professional mentors, listen intently, train patiently, and soak up as much knowledge as possible from those who have significant, real-world experiences to share. As a young, hungry post-grad, I was anxious and impatient, always yearning to propel forward at lightning speed, which led to unnecessary mistakes and oversight of my own development opportunities. Simultaneously, young professionals must step outside of their comfort zone to build their own personal brand, and take intentional risks to forge a path that stems from authenticity and motivation. Self-doubt can be our own worst enemy. Risk naturally offers both triumphs and failures along the way, but the wins will surely outweigh the pitfalls, resulting in tangible growth.

I love to play golf! It's definitely still a male-dominated sport, but I absolutely love the game, as I get to spend time outdoors with my husband and friends.