Small Business PR
For any small business owner or entrepreneur who wants to get more visibility and brand recognition without any PR experiences, the Small Business PR podcast is the place for you.
With untraditional yet proven strategies to help you hack your own PR and marketing without ads or agencies, this podcast will give you a roadmap to go from unknown to legendary, regardless of how "early" or "small" your business is.
Join us every week as our host, Gloria Chou, award-winning small business PR expert to thousands of entrepreneurs worldwide, helps you uncover your roadblocks, find your press-worthy angle, and unlock your greatest potential as the purpose-driven leader you already are.
With interviews with top-tier journalists, diverse founders, and purpose-driven subject experts, this podcast will be your rocket fuel to getting your brand in front of thousands of customers who like and trust you.
The best part? You don't need to have any "industry connections" or a huge budget to position yourself as the sought-after industry authority you know you are!
Join us for the #1 PR Masterclass to learn the 3 step method to landing media features in 30 days at www.gloriachoupr.com/masterclass
Small Business PR
How to Get Featured in Gift Guides and Magazines as a Product Owner w/ Kim Bezhadi
In this episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, I sit down with Kim Behzadi, founder of Read It & Eat—a purpose-driven food and book subscription box that fights hunger with every purchase.
Launched from her bedroom after losing her job during the pandemic, Kim bootstrapped her business with no investors, no PR background, and no big-name endorsements. Today, she’s been featured in Women’s Day, local magazines, and podcasts—without spending thousands on PR retainers or flooding the media with free samples.
If you’re a product-based founder who wants consistent, cost-free press, this episode is your blueprint.
How Kim Built a PR System That Delivers Year-Round Features
After joining the PR Starter Pack, Kim learned to:
- Pitch with purpose, not desperation
- Build relationships with journalists through LinkedIn, Instagram, and even Twitter
- Adapt pitches for national vs. local media to maximize relevance
- Plant PR “seeds” months in advance to secure Q4 gift guide placements
Her Women’s Day feature led to:
- A 40% increase in website traffic
- Local partnerships like a Buffalo book club and tea shop collaboration
- Invitations to vend at book fairs and community events
- A direct connection with a Harlequin author for a special edition box
Why Serving (Not Selling) Gets You Featured
Kim stopped leading with “Here’s my product” and started pitching with “Here’s a story your audience will love.” This value-first approach helped her:
- Land coverage without sending dozens of samples
- Get invited to collaborate with brands and authors she once thought were “out of reach”
- Build a press system she can run in just two dedicated nights per week
Kim’s PR Tools & Strategies
- LinkedIn & Instagram to find and connect with journalists
- Email + social media follow-ups to stay top-of-mind without spamming
- Seasonal pitching calendar to target: Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Back-to-School, Holidays, and themed brand roundups
- The CPR Method (Credibility, Point of View, Relevance) to craft irresistible pitches
Common PR Mistakes Kim Avoided
- Overspending on product samples before confirming interest
- Waiting for the “perfect” moment to start pitching
- Relying solely on social media for visibility
Final Takeaway
You don’t need an expensive PR firm—or a massive marketing budget—to land in national gift guides. What you do need is:
✅ A clear, value-driven message
✅ A repeatable system
✅ The courage to hit “send”
If Kim can build Read It & Eat from her bedroom and land Women’s Day, so can you.
