Us, Me and Everything In between

So, let’s just get the formalities out of the way…

Libretto Communications, Inc. is a full-service public relations and community engagement firm. Based in the Midwest, Libretto is a small, woman-owned firm dedicated to public involvement that makes a difference. Libretto is both WBE and DBE certified, which basically means we help larger companies reach their goals of inclusiveness and small business support of projects.

Libretto Communications is headed up by Donna Mandelbaum (me), a mother of two, originally hailing from NY.  Since 2006, I have been steering the “mother ship” from the home office and trying to raise two happy little boys.  Life is crazy most of the times and the word “balance” has taken on many, many meanings.

We are everywhere and can not hide:

On the web: www.librettocommunications.com

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/LibrettoCommunications

And on Twitter: www.twitter.com/LibrettoInc

Ok, so what is Libretto comprised of? Since it is a family business, the whole family is involved…I even have my youngest do the shredding of very important documents (the many receipts from “networking” luncheons).

Mom and Dad Mandelbaum, before they were Mom and Dad

The oldest Mandelbaum boy in all his soccer glory

The youngest Mandelbaum who does pretty much whatever he feels like doing

Libretto is made up of two full-time parents, two overtime boys, a full-time engineer and a part-time (work when you can get it) professional and ultra sassy female entrepreneur (I am from NY). Between making oatmeal and handling everyone’s bathroom issues, I network, promote my business, work on public involvement strategies and campaigns, market small businesses, engage in public and media relations and dabble in social media (you saw all the above links, criminy!).  I’ve also co-developed a web site or two (incite Design Studio and Seasons Lawn & Landscape) for area small businesses.

So why would a semi-crazy woman with a bun in the oven and a toddler at her feet, leave the cube farm and launch a business? Call it the search for Work-Life Balance, call it frustration at the inadequate community engagement taking place on public improvement projects, or call is RISKY BUSINESS, but whatever you call it, it was scary, nerve-wracking and insane.

I formed Libretto Communications in 2006 with one client on the books (and not a very timely payer I may add) and officially left the cube farm where I worked in May 2007, just in time for the changing of the guard.  Oh, and son #2 arrived into the world in the summer of 2007. Actually, it was Friday the 13th too. I guess I was forewarned.

I remember that week because I was heading up a major public & media relations campaign for a client and we just launched his product the Tuesday of that week.  I was up early that Tuesday blogging, sending releases, setting up interviews with local media and national bloggers.  It was great.

I knew I had to set this all up before my August due date and I landed a spot for my client on a local TV morning show for that Friday (yes, Friday the 13th).  His only request of me was “Don’t have that baby before the interview.”  I was all “No sweat, baby isn’t due for another 2 1/2 weeks.  We are totally cool.”

Well, that Friday the 13th, I watched my client on that morning TV show from my hospital TV with baby boy in my arms. That was the first of many balancing acts I perform daily as a business owner and Mom-extraordinaire.