AUSTIN LORD/GATHER PORTRAIT STUDIO
Perri duGard Owens
Whether they’re working behind a desk, in the field, or on the road, trailblazing women are paving their own way in Music City. Now they’re taking a break from their busy schedules to share their success stories with us.
THE DAILY HUSTLE
I am proud to own and operate a strategic communications firm that continues to grow with clients locally and nationally. I am in the business of information and relationships to help clients maximize messaging that makes an impact, changes hearts and minds, or moves people to action. I love what I do and don’t consider it work. To be honest, I’d do what I do for free, because I love it so much, but am grateful that people pay me to do my passion for their brand or company.
EARLY AMBITIONS
Marketing became my focus in tenth grade. I soaked up everything and started down the path of pursuing a business degree with a focus on that discipline specifically. I fell in love with messaging and strategy while at HCA/TriStar after having to pick up new responsibilities assigned by my manager (which was frustrating since it was out of my comfort zone). But it wasn’t until years later that I started consulting and I realized that PR and media relations were my strengths, and it fostered a passion for helping others communicate effectively—which spawned duGard Communications.
WORK PERKS
I love seeing our clients succeed and understand that public relations is about strategy and measurement that provides significant ROI to help grow their business or brand. That excites me more than anything and it breeds a level of trust that allows us to think for our clients, position, and grow their ability to lead with messaging. I love fostering talent in a way that brings people into the dGC brand with buy-in, trust, and then fosters their expertise to be added-value to what we do as a team and for others.
THE NASHVILLE CONNECTION
Nashville is home, so it’s played a significant role in my life. I wasn’t born here, but my maternal side allows me to claim being a fifth generation Nashvillian. My great-grandparents were leaders in the community, my grandparents were civil rights leaders (my grandfather was part of the legal team that represented students of the Nashville sit-ins), and my mom has impacted the lives of youth as a retired Metro Public Schools music teacher of over 40 years. Because of these experiences (meaning the shaping of my personal fabric), I have been able to significantly carry Nashville with me in my professional journey. And while I’ve left a couple times to work outside the city, it always draws me back in some way and has remained a strong base for developing personally, professionally, and in building our family.
ADVICE FOR OTHERS
Develop relationships first and continue to nurture and network those continually. I didn’t start my business right out of school. I didn’t aspire to be an entrepreneur. I gained expertise and experience to be seen as an expert. Life experiences helped to inform my ability to serve others through dGC.
Meet Perri duGard Owens and other women in the local community who are the best in their fields at our annual Women in Business event.
>>> PURCHASE TICKETS
The mix and mingle reception will be held on August 18 from 5-7:30 p.m., to network with our Women in Business honorees plus 300 other local business professionals. Throughout the evening, we will be doing live Q and A sessions with each woman!