“Oh, honey, let me tell you…”
That’s how a lot of conversations begin with the bold, highly-energetic PR Rock Star Cyndy Hoenig. She’s one of those souls who isn’t afraid to talk about anything and she’s quick to use stories of her own mistakes in life as lessons for the listener. She’s also quick with genuine compliments and connections. I’ve worked with her, laughed with her and even published a PR advice book with her. Her Hollywood stories are almost as entertaining as her personal life and it’s a joy to laugh about life with her. I never know what she’s going to say which is refreshing. She’s a true “bootstraps” success story, only those boots have stiletto heels – yet its others’ success she really cares about. Meet today’s Mermaid Cyndy Hoenig of Pure PR.
ML: Tell us about the moment you made the deep dive for your dream in PR and some favorite successes.
CH: In 1991 I was living in Los Angeles, going through a divorce, with 4 daughters, 2 in private school and 2 in college. No job, no prospects. The hubs took the money from the savings account and my favorite cookbook. He left us for the 4th lead in his latest film (which you can see late night on Cinemax), a French woman who spoke no English.
I had $800 to my name. The house payments hadn’t been made in 4 months I found out and the bank was taking over. I didn’t even have a car as psycho took it, too. I had no skills, and no resume, except for a one pager from my membership in the Oklahoma City Junior League, a placement sheet they called it. I was, needless to say, desperate. I pulled out my address book and started making calls. When I got to the G’s, I called Larry Goldman, an exec VP at Bender, Goldman & Helper, a prestigious PR firm in Santa Monica. He told me to come in for an interview. That very day. I did, he looked at my “resume,” if you can call it that, and deemed it “just fine.” That was it. I didn’t hear from him again for 5 months. Need to backtrack here. I waited 2 weeks after that interview and started to call Mr. Goldman.
In the meantime, I had to get a job. I worked at a reservation center answering phones from people needing to change an air, car, or hotel reservation. In the middle of the night. I got home every morning just in time to take the girls to school. I made $500/week.
Back to Mr. Goldman: I called that man every week for 5 months. He finally took my call, said there was an opening, and had me come in again. To Santa Monica I go, as fast as I can. Dressed to the 9’s in 90’s style. Black and white polka dots with red shoes. I was hired. As an assistant to a child. A woman 17 years my junior. I could have given birth to her, and everyone else in the office. It took 4 months to relax and realize I wasn’t getting fired. Four months to finally get it. Four months to learn how to work a Mac. Four months to learn the PR lingo. I was in! Then three more years to make it to the top: Director of the Television Division. I had made it. Oh, and that psycho who left me for Frenchie? His career never did take off, and he is living in the garage of an ex-girlfriend. Hardy har har. Happy Days are here again.
In my new publicist career, I handled Suzanne Somers, Cybill Shepherd, Jim Carrey, Jennifer Lopez, John Lithgow, Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock and many, many more. I eventually moved back to OKC where I was born and raised and where my grandchildren were born and living. I own a PR agency called Pure PR. I owe it all to Larry Goldman, who unfortunately left the world too soon. I miss him every day. I will never forget where my success came from.
ML: Each week I ask our mermaids: what always brings a smile to your face?
CH: My grandchildren. They love my cooking and they love me. And, I am crazy about all 8 of them.
ML: What’s been the biggest challenge in your life and how did/do you overcome adversity?
CH: Creating a career in the world’s most competitive field was the biggest challenge, and a successful one. Overcoming adversity? I never, ever give up.
ML: What are your favorite tool(s) for enlightened living (presence, intention, action)?
CH:
- Smile. A lot.
- Keep your head held high.
- Treat others with respect and remember that we train people how to treat us.
- I wake up every morning and ask myself, “What can I do today to further my career?”
- When I’m feeling low, I try to do something for someone else. I try to help others.
Cyndy has many ways to get in touch and follow her words of wisdom:
Twitter – @CyndyHoenig
FB – Pure PR
FB – Cyndy Hoenig Author
Linked In – Cyndy Hoenig
Pinterest – Cyndy Hoenig
Instagram – Cyndy Hendrick Hoenig
Cyndy Hendrick Hoenig Sr. Partner, Pure PR 405.245.4668-cell http://www.pureprokc.com cyndy@pureprokc.com
To living in the deep,
Malena
P.S. If you like the mermaid series, be sure and subscribe so it will come to you each week in your in box! And thanks for sharing the love. xo
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