Behind the Scenes of 917's 6-Year Success (And What You Can Learn From It)
by sarah selip | april 24, 2025
Six years ago, I launched a PR firm with a laptop, a Gmail account, and more ambition than I probably should have had. I was 23—naive enough to think I could take on the world, stubborn enough to make it happen. There were no investor calls, no corporate sponsors, no flashy product launches. It was just me, my couch, and a whole lot of hustle. Oh, and my group chat—where I was the only “we” in sight.
Those early days were a blur of juggling too many tasks at once—writing press releases while sitting in bed, taking calls from stairwells, and pretending to be a graphic designer on Canva. But something clicked. I had this gut feeling that there was room for a different kind of PR firm—one that wasn’t afraid to take risks, push boundaries, and inject a little fun into the mix.
That’s how 917 came to be. And it worked—surprisingly well. Clients started coming through the door. Media placements started rolling in. Slowly but surely, we built something that made people pay attention.
But here’s the twist: I walked away.
I left 917 to test myself in the field—campaigns, crises, Capitol Hill. It was messy, fast, and exactly what I needed.
I swapped pitch decks for policy memos and influencer kits for war rooms. I wanted to learn how the real power players operated, the stakes at the top, and how to make an impact on a larger scale. And honestly? I needed to prove something to myself.
Then, the story took another turn. I came back. And this time, I was sharper, smarter, and with a clearer vision. Relaunching 917 wasn’t about picking up where I left off—it was about resetting, reevaluating, and rethinking what I wanted this firm to stand for.
Now, six years in, we’re still small, still scrappy, and still unapologetically bold. We’ve created something that stands out. From viral media placements to landing clients on major news outlets, we’ve stayed true to our style—smart, strategic, and always pushing the envelope. And while we’ve grown, one thing hasn’t changed: we’ve kept it real. No fluff. No fillers. Just smart, impactful communications that get results.
So, what’s the secret to our success? It’s simple, really. It’s about taking risks. It’s about playing to our strengths—being different, being bold, and doing it our way. And it’s about the people who have been with me every step of the way. A huge shoutout to Maren, my first hire, who has been a rock through all the highs and lows.
We’ve survived chaos, media cycles, and a pandemic. We’ve celebrated big wins, learned from setbacks, and kept pushing. And through it all, we’ve stuck to one rule: If you’re going to do it, do it in a way that stands out.
Here’s to six years of carving our own path. The surprising truth behind our success?
It’s about playing the long game, staying authentic, and never being afraid to take that next bold step.
The journey’s far from over—let’s see what the next six bring.
