Name: Angela Thomas
Hometown: Englewood
Business: Prana Marketing & Media Relations
Category: Media + Marketing
New Jersey Family: Tell us about Prana Marketing, its mission and what makes it unique.
Angela Thomas: Prana is an integrated marketing and media relations firm offering a full suite of services. Prana meets a client where they are at and introduces strategies and ideas to grow their business. We understand the increasing shift of power for consumers in the ever-changing world we live in-particularly the digital space- and can quickly and effectively tailor one’s message to be seen and heard through the all media outlets. Utilizing all distribution channels, Prana is a one-stop agency that produces results.
NJF: When did you launch Prana Marketing and what was your biggest inspiration?
AT: In 2002 after working for music companies in NYC for 20 years, my inspiration became controlling my own destiny.
NJF: You began your career in the music industry. What did you do and how did you pivot from that to launching Prana Marketing?
AT: After 20 years working with multiple albums for artists like LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Dru Hill, Tyrese, Kelly Price, the music business went through a transformative change with digital downloads and the music labels were merging and purging continuously at that time. I opened Prana in February 2002, first with entertainment clients, and then my first non-music client was Dr. Jennifer Ashton who is now on Good Morning America.
NJF: What are some of Prana Marketing’s offerings and what types of clients do you work with?
AT: Clients range from restaurants to authors, music artists to doctors and dentists and corporations. Clients include
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), North to Shore Music Festival, Poly Prep Day School, LG Electronics, Fivio Foreign, Jessie Armstead, 87 Sussex, Satis Bistro, Bergen Performing Arts Center, Lori Stokes-ABC TV, Jen Maxfield – NBC-4 News, Jet Black Roses and more.
We offer public relations, overall marketing strategies, social media, advertising and graphic design.
NJF: What is the most rewarding part of what you do?
AT: I really do love what I do. Every day is different. My job is marketing and public relations with a big dose of creativity – it depends what is going on with my clients – sometimes it is producing an employee holiday party for 500 employees or a photo shoot in Nashville for a country band or going to NBC-TV with a client, or North to Shore with hundreds of events in Asbury Park, Atlantic City and Newark – each day and week varies
NJF: What was your proudest moment as a business owner?Â
AT: When a big event is accomplished and my client is happy or when something runs in the media, it’s so rewarding.
NJF: What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever gotten that you want to share with others?
AT: My advice is put value on your work and your time. Do a monthly activity report and share with clients the services provided and if possible calculate the value, I find clients appreciate hard work and will refer more business to you.
NJF: What are some ways your business has been able to be involved with the community and give back?
AT: Prana is always giving back. This is done by introducing clients to non-profits, and having clients involved with community events. Prana gives back all the time by assisting non-profits with public relations and introductions to help further their mission – or agency partnerships or collaborations. Nothing is better than it being a win-win situation for a non-profit.
NJF: What’s it like juggling raising kids with running a business?
AT: My daughter is always my priority over work. I had to find a support system to help me as a single mom with my entire family in Boston. My daughter went to The Elisabeth Morrow School and Summer Camp, which was close to home and extremely helpful as a single mom. If I had to work late there was child care and other kids to play with—she was at this school for 9 years, a wonderful community – and I’m grateful to this day for our time there. For many years I was class mom, I would read books and participate as much as possible. We don’t get those years back.
NJF: What do you love most about living in Englewood/Bergen County?
AT: I love Englewood and Bergen County and being close to New York City – the suburban life being close proximity to NY, the people are wonderful, we have woods and parks and sense of a diverse community which is the world today.
NJF: What are some of your favorite things to do in New Jersey with your family?
AT: When My daughter was little we would go to Van Saun Park, and of course the malls, museums and restaurants.
NJF: What’s next for Prana Marketing?
AT: There were some adjustments with the pandemic and like any business, one has to pivot and adjust. I am grateful that Prana continues to grow and always finding new ways to expand with different clients.
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