"The key to unlocking new possibilities is not in someone else's hands—it's in your own."
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Welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview with David Barkoe, a luminary in the dynamic realm of public relations and digital marketing. As the CEO and Founder of Carve Communications, Barkoe brings to the table an extensive and diverse wealth of experience, spanning over 25 years in the industry.
In this illuminating conversation, we embark on a journey through Barkoe’s entrepreneurial endeavors, exploring the intricate fusion of innovation and the fabric of everyday life that defines his Miami-based PR firm.
Carve Communications, under Barkoe’s visionary leadership, stands as a paragon of success, boasting a fully remote team that spans multiple U.S. cities. The firm has etched its mark in both consumer and enterprise technology, showcasing a unique prowess that stems from Barkoe’s insightful strategies and distinctive approach to sustainable PR campaigns.
Join us as we delve into the nuances of Barkoe’s leadership philosophy, unraveling the threads that weave together the success of Carve Communications.
This exclusive interview provides a rare glimpse into the strategic insights, challenges confronted, and triumphs celebrated throughout Barkoe’s illustrious career—a career that mirrors the ever-evolving landscape of public relations in the contemporary business world.
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Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
David Barkoe: I am a PR and digital marketing executive who has been involved in the industry’s growth and development for over 25 years. Just over 9 years ago, I became the CEO and Founder of Carve Communications, a Miami-based PR firm that lives at the intersection of innovation and everyday life.
Our clients cross consumer and enterprise technology–from toys to smart locks, to logistics software and content management platforms, with our fully remote team of Carvers spanning multiple cities across the US.
What makes us unique is our focus on executing sustainable PR campaigns, our team mentality, and our core belief that we are not an agency, but a partner to all our clients.
What advice do you wish you had received when you started your business journey and what do you intend on improving in the next quarter?
David Barkoe: Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo and demand more from yourself to achieve the above and beyond. This mantra is what drove me to become an entrepreneur, and what I believe stands at the root of success.
Don’t confine yourself to one “box” until someone grants you the freedom to explore elsewhere, because the only person able to let you out, is you.
Here is a two-fold question: What is the book that influenced you the most and how? Please share some life lessons you learned. Now what book have you gifted the most and why?
David Barkoe: I haven’t read a book in years and I think that’s OK. I’ve had a few bosses who were avid readers, reading every business book at the airport bookstore. But for me, I learn by doing. I learn by listening. I learn by watching. I learn from others.
I learn from experience. What is written in a book is usually one person’s thoughts on how to run a business. I’ve learned from so many in “real life.” It’s the real-world agency situations that have shaped me in the most profound ways. Should I read more? Probably – but I’m too focused on doing, listening, and learning from others.
Christopher Hitchens, an American journalist, is quoted as saying that “everyone has a book in them” Have you written a book? If so, please share with us details about it. If you haven’t, what book would you like to write and how would you like it to benefit the readers?
David Barkoe: In the early part of my career, I worked almost exclusively at small PR agencies that were owned by men.
During those times, and after each very unique and interesting experience, I would say to myself “One day I’m going to write a book about what it’s like to work for a small PR agency owned by a man.” The irony is now today, I, a man, own my own small PR agency.
However, if I was going to write a book, I would write it about starting a PR agency because having now done this for 9 years, there is no book out there that truly captures what it takes mentally, emotionally, physically, financially, structurally and more, to start, own and operate a PR firm.
2020, 2021, and 2022 threw a lot of curve balls into businesses on a global scale. Based on the experience gleaned in the past years, how can businesses thrive in 2023? What lessons have you learned and what advice would you share?
David Barkoe: It’s all about people – finding the right people who aren’t just the best at what they do but are genuine, hardworking humans.
Find the people who want to go all in and are committed to the success of the company.
On a lighter note, if you had the ability to pick any business superpower, what would it be and how would you put it into practice?
David Barkoe : Oh, that’s easy . . .collections. I wish I had the superpower to collect fees on time and without effort.
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank David Barkoe for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with David Barkoe or his company, you can do it through his – Linkedin Page
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