Meet Naomi Garrick | Personal Branding Coach + Brand Strategist

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

Hi Naomi, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
My favourite quote is a chinese proverb “The Journey Is The Reward” – this quote is really significant for me as more and more I realize that everything that has happened in my life – the good, the great, the bad, the ugly, the sad, the confusing, the wonderful and not-so wonderful bits have helped to shape my life and makes me exactly the person I was meant to be in this moment.

We may not understand why things happen to us, but if we choose to accept each thing or situation as a part of our never ending development, if we choose to appreciate every step of our journey, if we choose to continue failing forward – then every part of of this journey becomes rewarding.

Knowing that we are not working towards just one big reward, and that we are being rewarded with every step of our own unique journeys through life is the actual reward.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Let’s just say I wasn’t always known as The PR Chick. My career started in Hospitality & Tourism Management, living in the Caribbean, I truly believed I would one day own and manage my own resort. However, after completing my degree yet failing to graduate (due to my affliction towards mathematics and statistics), I worked in the hotel industry for almost 2 years, realizing very quickly that the long hours (think 14-day work week) and being away from family and friends 90% of the time wasn’t the life I envisioned for myself,

I ended up working in Sales & Marketing for a entertainment media company for 4 years, where I was encouraged to do some publicity work for some of our notable dancehall and reggae artists in Jamaica – this supported my love of writing and allowed me to utilise my media relations that I had developed after being in the industry for 4 years. I went from media back into hospitality & tourism working for a boutique hotel that had recently opened in the role of corporate communications manager, a role that only lasted 3 months.

I realized that there was an opportunity in the PR landscape in Jamaica, for an agency dedicated to PR as most advertising agencies only had an account executive that was dedicated to this field. So in 2009 with no real plan and no real money, I jumped headfirst into entrepreneurship, opening my boutique PR agency, Garrick Communications specialising in business and lifestyle brands. I got my big break as an entrepreneur when a local media company did a feature about my transition – this I how I landed my first corporate client. Almost 13 years later we have worked with some of the biggest local and international brands with focus of helping brands to be seen, heard and experienced by their ideal audience.

Entrepreneurship was never easy, I suffered from imposter syndrome, something that to this day creeps in from time to time and this was mainly because I didn’t have a degree or any formal training in my profession. There was a long period where I wouldn’t bid for large projects or go after the big clients, because in my head, I didn’t think I was in the same league as more established firms filled with graduates in media and communications. It took a lot participating in conferences like Tony Robbins and participating in accelerator programmes specifically for female business owners to get rid of these limiting beliefs and really step into my own brand.

I decided in 2018 after participating in one of these programmes to write a workbook that would show the steps that I took on my own journey, to get to where I am today, that workbook was a PR Chick’s Guide 8 Steps To Building Your Personal Brand. This workbook catapulted my career as a personal branding coach and speaker where I now do customised coaching as well as workshops to help individuals to position, package and promote their unique personal brand both on and offline,

At my core I am a brand builder, but what I love is to help individuals to get clarity on who they are, understand their unique value and to show them how to communicate this effectively to their audience to increase their revenue earning potential. I help people to build better personal brands.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ohhh well this is fun. My best friend lives right here in Kingston but that doesn’t mean we can’t have the best time ever (within the Covid-19 protocols). Because our entertainment sector has been shut-down it will be some site seeing including quite a bit of dining experiences.

Day 1 : Kingston
– Our first day would be pretty chill with stops to Devon House for Chicken Patties and Devon House Ice-Cream
– Lyme at the house with friends which means lots of chatting, Prosecco or wine will be involved and maybe a game of Kalooki

Day 2: Kingston
– a drive up to the Blue Mountains for breakfast at Cafe Blue Irish Town
– late lunch at Helshire Beach for fried fish and festival
– Drinks with the crew at Uncorked Too

Day 3: Kingston – Negril
– Take a scenic drive to Negril
– Stops along the way for freshly cut coconut water and seasonal fruits, and definitely jerk chicken and pork from Scotchies.
– Check in at my favourite boutique hotel Skylark Negril, right on the beach and dinner at Lily’s the restaurant on property

Day 4: Negril
– Breakfast on the beach
– Lazy day of swimming, eating, reading and sleeping
– Beach Massages
– Head to Rick’s Cafe to see the amazing sunset from the most Western point of the island
– Dinner at Rockhouse on the West End

Day 5: Negril
– Glass bottom boat ride to Bobby Cay
– Lunch at Lily’s

Day 6: Trelawny
– Chukka Tours at Good Hope for horseback riding and an ATV experience

Day 7: Kingston
– Back in Kingston for more good food and connecting with friends – definitely eating some curry goat or oxtail with rice and peas and fried plantain

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This shoutout is dedicated to Novia McDonald-Whyte she is the Senior Associate Editor Lifestyle & Social Content at the Jamaica Observer. Novia is one of the individuals that has not only had a significant impact on my life, but she has always supported each and every one of my endeavours throughout my career. From as early as being a Hospitality & Tourism student a The University of Technology, to being the Key Note speaker at the launch of my first book.

Novia strongly believes in sending the elevator back down, especially to women, and she does this in her own way either through indirect mentorship, showcasing your emerging talent through her platforms, or giving you a swift talking to when you really need it. She has always been a strong encourager and supporter of my brand and I am grateful for the mentorship and friendship that has developed over the last 20 years.

Website: iamnaomigarrick.com

Instagram: instagram.com/theprchick instagram.com/naomigarrick

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomigarrick/

Image Credits
Oneil Grant JP Williams Adrian Creary