Leadership Greater Washington “Success Stories”
There are many ways that Leadership Greater Washington “comes to life” in the region. Its’ members connect and collaborate in ways that makes good things happen in the community. The story of JR Communications is one example.

---

A New Company Takes Off During a Leadership Greater Washington Class Year

 
JR Communications officially “announced” its start at the LGW orientation for the Class of 2002. JR President Julie Rosenthal (Class of 2002) remembers what it was like introducing herself and her new role for the first time.

“Having recently made the decision to start my own business, that day was the first time I announced in public my name and new title,” said Rosenthal. “I remember looking to either side of me after I introduced myself to the class to see if anyone was laughing. It was still hard for me to believe I had taken the plunge.”

And from that day forward, with the support of her classmates, her public relations consulting firm grew. First, two different classmates approached her about doing projects for their non-profits. One led to three different clients through referral, the other turned into a three year relationship. Another classmate had struck out on her own the year before and was an invaluable resource, support and friend, and also partner on some projects. Four years later, Rosenthal says she has an even stronger PR resource network through other classmates and continues to receive consistent referrals which have resulted in substantial business for her firm.

However, this wasn’t why Rosenthal originally applied to LGW. She had applied while working at a PR firm in town and having recently returned from an overseas assignment with her former company. The way she tells it, she had always wanted to join LGW for all the reasons anyone applies – meeting new people, networking and broadening my view on the region. But, as she learned quickly throughout my program year, LGW served as an amazing business resource, as she had just struck out on her own. It was beyond what she ever could have imagined when she introduced herself that first day.

“On a personal level, it’s impossible to describe the wonderful friendships that have blossomed from my class year and throughout LGW. I know everyone says it, but it’s true, “she adds. “To illustrate, I recently got married and there was an entire LGW table at the wedding. These are people I didn’t know just four years ago. I think that speaks volumes to the type of business and personal relationships that are formed through LGW. There is no other business group in town that can say that!”

Click Here to Return to the Success Story Index