It’s hard to believe that 10 years ago the idea of Malen Yantis Public Relations became a reality. I still remember the exact day that I started seriously thinking about opening my own firm – Nov. 16, 2006. Although I have no idea why that day sticks out in my mind, I remember rolling over in bed and writing “Malen & Mettler” on a piece of paper (as some of you know, I originally started my company under my married name).
Although “Mettler” no longer was relevant months later, including Malen in the name stuck. I loved the idea of honoring my grandfather by naming my company after him. He was an amazing storyteller. As an ex-FBI agent during World War II his tales were endless. He also was a reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer Press and an award-winning advertising and pr executive. It seemed fitting to honor someone whose life was dedicated to telling great stories, which is the cornerstone of our business.
My firm became a reality during the Destination Hotels annual sales conference at Miramonte Resort & Spa in January 2007. I was facing some tough business decisions – I no longer could work remote for Destination as the company’s assistant vice president of pr, but going back on site to be a pr director for a hotel wasn’t panning out either. My pending move to Lake Tahoe was providing a few challenges. Thankfully, during the Miramonte conference my boss suggested I just quit, start my own company and represent Destination from afar. I couldn’t think of a better way to start my own company! A month later, I set up shop.
I cannot thank my Destination family enough for their support in helping me launch my company. I started MYPR representing Destination corporate and a number of individual properties. From there, a past business contact referred MYPR to represent Northstar California – it was an exciting time to start diversifying beyond the company that helped launch my firm.
Today, it astounds me to look back at the last 10 years. First, it went by really quickly! Second, starting MYPR has provided me with some of the greatest opportunities and challenges I’ve ever experienced in business. In the last decade, we’ve had two names, three logos and four offices in two states. We started the company in Lake Tahoe and moved it to Colorado in 2009.
We’ve worked with clients from Vermont to Maui and numerous destinations in between. We’ve connected with the best journalists in the industry who have been incredibly supportive of MYPR clients and make doing our job much easier. These relationships are the foundation of what makes us successful.
From these journalists to the endless list of clients, friends, employees (past and present) and family, MYPR has reached this milestone because of you. I cannot thank you enough for your support, encouragement and your business. We’ve been lucky to work with such a diverse group of people over the years and look forward to what the next decade has in store.
As I think of that night in 2006 when I jotted down the idea for my company, I cannot help but remember the inspiration for the name. From my Journalism 101 class at the University of Colorado to my first job at Public Relations Associates in Denver, my grandfather was so supportive of my evolving career. As a former newsman and pr executive, he knew the career path I was taking. Today, I hope he is proud of the company I’ve built in his honor.
For a look back at the last 10 years at MYPR, please follow our social media channels on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook over the coming months or follow the hashtag #MYPRis10.
*Cover photo of Gordon Malen in 1975 and Kristin Yantis in 2017.