On this episode of The Accidental CEO Podcast, Nata Salvatori sits down with Meghan Ely, owner of OFD Consulting and a leading wedding publicist, to discuss how a career detour led her to build the business she has today.
But this isn’t just a story of success—it’s a masterclass in resilience, strategy, and media savvy.
From Corporate Job Offer to Full-Time Entrepreneur
In 2009, Meghan had just accepted a lucrative catering director position. It was the middle of a financial crisis, and the job seemed like the perfect next step.
But three weeks in, she knew it wasn’t a fit.
Rather than pushing through a role that didn’t align, Meghan took a leap and launched her business two years earlier than planned—with no safety net but a whole lot of grit, spreadsheets, and the support of her now-husband.
Her biggest challenge? Mindset.
Overcoming the fear of becoming a financial “burden” was more difficult than writing her first pitch.
The PR Gap in the Wedding Industry
Meghan had noticed something crucial: incredible creatives—planners, florists, photographers—weren’t getting the visibility they deserved. There was beautiful work being done… but no one knew about it.
That’s when she realized her background in PR and events could make a difference.
She launched OFD Consulting to fill that gap and help wedding pros get seen in top media outlets.
Beyond Paid Ads: Getting Featured Organically
Meghan shares several ways business owners can start gaining media traction:
- Submit your work to industry publications and blogs
- Position yourself as a subject-matter expert through quotes and guest articles
- Explore podcasts, speaking, and radio as modern PR tools
- Build genuine relationships with editors and journalists over time
- Use tools like HARO (now HERO), Qwoted, or even Substack newsletters to find PR opportunities
And yes—you can absolutely DIY your PR.
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Thought Leadership Takes Time (But It Pays Off)
PR isn’t about overnight fame. It’s about playing the long game and showing up consistently where your audience is looking for insight.
Whether you’re an event pro or a business coach, Meghan emphasizes starting with clear goals and building credibility before pitching the big names.
Tune In Want to hear more about Meghan’s journey and the wisdom she’s gained along the way? Listen to the full episode of The Accidental CEO Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. It might just be the permission slip you didn’t know you needed.
Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
