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She's Putting Entrepreneurs in the Media Spotlight
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Have you ever wondered where different magazines and publications get their sources for articles about entrepreneurs? Well, Tracey Spotts, the President and CEO of ProfilesUnlimited.com, is who some of the biggest publications (including EnTrends) go to. Spotts has created the only on-line tool for the media to locate specific entrepreneurs to feature in print and broadcast.

When founding ProfilesUnlimited.com, Spotts feels that having an entrepreneurial family may have planted the seed. However, as the former press manager for The Young Entrepreneurs' Organization (YEO), Spotts received many calls from reporters and producers looking for very specific entrepreneurs to interview. Many times, the reporter was already working on a story and just needed one more source to complete the article.

After Spotts came up with the idea, she implemented two advisory committees, one of CEOs, and the other of members of the media, to figure out how to make her idea work. After receiving much positive feedback, Spotts began her business.

ProfilesUnlimited.com is unique in that it allows members of the media to search for entrepreneurs based on very specific criteria, such as age, gender, annual revenue, start-up costs, location, etc. Once the media finds the entrepreneur that they are interested in, they can view press releases, media kits, bios, fact sheets, and more about that entrepreneur. They also have access to direct contact information to arrange an interview.

The entrepreneurs and businesses featured in ProfilesUnlimited.com vary. This makes the service appealing to the media. Spotts features companies with revenues in the $6-10 million range and higher, but also start-ups who have no revenue yet. There are those in telecommunications, design, retail, and other services. Spotts includes a large variety of entrepreneurs because she knows that is what the media craves.

Spotts' revenue comes from the entrepreneurs that are listed in her directory. An annual listing runs about $2000. This fee allows entrepreneurs to post pertinent information about themselves and their businesses in an on- line profile at ProfilesUnlimited.com.

Entrepreneurs are then open to the media for interviews and publicity. This free publicity can prove to be invaluable, especially when compared to what an entrepreneur could be paying in advertising fees. Entrepreneurs featured in ProfilesUnlimited.com have been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, The Edward Lowe Report, and CNNfn.

EnTrends asked Spotts what a typical work day involves for her and if there have been any people or businesses that were instrumental in the founding of her company.

Spotts says that a typical work day involves answering all her E-mail inquiries, making phone calls, and staying in close contact with the media. As for those who have helped make her business a success, Spotts claims that many entrepreneurs and prominent members of the media have been influential.

When she initially had the idea for the company, she asked some of those people to serve on her advisory committee. Not only did they give her great advice, but they gave her the self confidence she needed to leave her full time job and get the business up and running.

Spotts claims her recent success comes from having had additional media sign up to use the site. She enjoys hearing testimonials from entrepreneurs who have been approached by the media because of their place in ProfilesUnlimited.com Spotts' company is also getting national press. The company has been featured in a few publications and was also interviewed by a public radio station on the Midwest.
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