PR expert charges aspiring entrepreneurs to be strategic, consistent
By Amechi Obiakpu
The Lead Consultant/CEO of Drawbridge CM Limited and General Secretary of PRCAN, Hassan Abdul, mnipr, arpa, has advised aspiring PR entrepreneurs to adopt a gradual transition strategy into business ownership in order to minimise financial and operational risks.
According to him, building a successful PR consultancy should be viewed as “a marathon, not a sprint.”
The PR expert gave the advice at the May 2026 Monthly Meeting/PR Clinic of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (Lagos State Chapter), held virtually on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
The insightful session, powered by the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), focused on the theme: “Starting and Running a PR Firm from Ground Zero.”
The session was facilitated by Hassan Abdul, mnipr, arpa, Lead Consultant/CEO of Drawbridge CM Limited and General Secretary of PRCAN, who brought over
In his presentation, Hassan Abdul, who boasts of two decades of practical experience in communication management and PR consultancy to the engagement, noted that many communication professionals possess strong technical skills but often struggle with the broader responsibilities of running an organisation.
He therefore stressed the importance of developing an entrepreneurial mindset centred on building systems, managing people, driving growth and making strategic decisions.
He further encouraged participants to intentionally shift their focus from day-to-day technical tasks to CEO-level responsibilities such as business development, financial management, client acquisition and organisational leadership. He advised practitioners to carefully audit how they spend their time and progressively reposition themselves from “service providers” to “business leaders.”
The session also addressed the operational foundations necessary for building a sustainable PR business. Participants were advised to:
•Engage competent finance personnel;
•Define organisational culture early;
•Ensure regulatory and legal compliance;
•Use proper contracts and agreements;
•Invest in technology tools and systems;
•Maintain professional indemnity insurance; and
•Build a financial runway capable of sustaining operations for at least six months, among others.
*Photo shows Hassan Abdul.
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