Bulldog Communications, LLC is a full-service public relations and marketing company with over 30 years of experience in the industry. They specialize in social media strategy for clients like Coca Cola, AT&T and more.
We’re accustomed to chatting with entrepreneurs about their companies at Palo Alto Software. Most people are passionate about what they do, but when they really enjoy it, you can hear it in their voices. Carol Graham, a newcomer to Business Plan Pro, is one of these individuals. Carol has built a career based on her love for her job as the creator of Bulldog Communications, LLC in Tallahassee, Florida, and we’re pleased to include her experiences here.
Give us a brief rundown of your company’s mission and goals.
Bulldog Communication is a company that specializes in communication consultancy. “Innovative Solutions to Launching Ideas” is our motto. We do not offer communication services that are centered on the media or technology. Instead, we concentrate on the internal and external corporate communication techniques, as well as personal communication, that are critical to effective and flourishing company cultures.
Our company culture is straightforward: Do What You Love. Anything less is just a “venture,” not a “adventure.” Bulldog is dedicated to taking on initiatives that excite and stimulate our team of professionals.
Bulldog Communication is made up of three main program areas: Hudson, Legacy, and J.A.N.E., which are called from the logo’s toughness.
Our Judson program is the first. Judson programming is geared at helping companies in achieving their objectives via communication excellence, and includes complete communications audits and communication seminars, as well as a wide range of services to assist with the launch of a not-for-profit organization or small company.
Our Legacy services, which concentrate on the requirements of nonprofit organizations and short-term “crisis” initiatives, are designed to help groups who are in risk of losing their status or financing.
Finally, we have our J.A.N.E. program, which stands for “Just Actions, New Expectations” and is Bulldog Communication’s charitable initiative that offers pro bono help.
What were the most significant lessons you learnt over the course of your company planning?
Despite the fact that I started as a seasoned grant writer with a PhD in Communication, I soon discovered that there was much about the planning process that I had overlooked. Despite the fact that my writing abilities were a plus, I still benefitted tremendously from Business Plan Pro’s step-by-step approach to planning. I’m guilty of jumping from point A to point Z without explaining how I did it to my audience. I was able to close that communication gap with the assistance of Business Plan Pro.
Was your business plan written with the aim of obtaining financing or attracting investors?
Because I already understood how to write grant applications, I didn’t create my financing strategy. I was on the lookout for something unique. I wanted to be able to clearly express my company aspirations and goals so that I could identify the actions necessary to accomplish them. While grant writing is a valuable talent, it’s uncommon to come across a grant that will give you the intellectual and ethical liberties that only your wildest fantasies can create!
Do you find yourself returning back into the plan to update and modify as your company grows?
My company strategy is a work in progress. My progress and present state may be analyzed using the planning program, and I can make adjustments as required. Cash forecasting and bookkeeping were my weakest areas. If I’m left to my own devices, I’ll advertise my services and, before long, I’ll be unable to take on the projects I want to work on because I’ve gotten myself engaged in the wrong ventures for the sake of profit.
Business Plan Pro aids in the prioritization of my initiatives, the recruitment of qualified colleagues, and the rejection of projects that are not a suitable match for Bulldog.
What is the most thrilling aspect of becoming an entrepreneur, in your opinion? What are the most significant obstacles?
For me, the most thrilling aspect of becoming an entrepreneur is simply “doing what I love.” I don’t take on projects that I don’t like. However, it’s possible that I have a colleague with a strong enthusiasm for the same topic, and if that’s the case, Bulldog should take on the project.
Ironically, one of the most difficult tasks is pacing oneself. This is a very exciting project. This isn’t a get-rich-quick scam (those only make you poorer faster in my humble opinion). Fortunately, Business Plan Pro supplied me with the resources I needed to start my company in a smart and well-planned way. Before I established a website or printed a brochure, I had four initiatives on the go. That’s a lot of information; it’s crucial to move cautiously, ensuring that you can produce a product that both helps your customer and gives you a feeling of pleasure and a desire to do something similar in the future.
Do you have any last thoughts? Do you have any advise for someone who is just getting started with their own company or planning?
It is true that not everyone is cut out to run their own company. Make a thorough personal inventory to ensure that this is your true passion and enjoyment. You will not continue to do what you do if you do not like it, or at least not well. Take the time to develop a comprehensive business strategy. It may impress others, but it will also assist you in assessing your preparedness to go on this journey.
Note: Do you want to learn more about Business Plan Pro? Since the publication of this article, we’ve developed LivePlan, a cloud-based company planning and management solution.
