As a young entrepreneur in the PR and marketing world, can you tell us about your journey to founding PERK PR & Creative? What inspired you to start your own agency at such an early stage in your career?

Trevor Perkins: I started in the music industry at 13, growing up in a small town with big dreams. After getting my start in journalism, I became fascinated with the power of PR—how the right story could elevate an artist's entire career. At 16, I began teaching myself the ropes, driven by a desire to amplify voices and create real impact. When the world shut down in 2020, I launched my own agency to support artists when they needed it most. I was inspired to build something meaningful—a space where storytelling, strategy, and heart could come together to help artists be seen, heard, and remembered.

You've mentioned that you're passionate about helping artists and brands tell stories that stick. Can you share a specific campaign where storytelling played a crucial role in its success? What were the key elements that made it resonate with the audience?

Trevor Perkins: Storytelling is at the core of everything I do, and one campaign that really stands out is the work I've done with rising artist Ashley Anne. I've been working with Ashley since her second-ever release nearly two years ago, and from the beginning, we knew her story was her strength. She's authentic, bold, and isn't afraid to speak her mind—which gave us a powerful foundation to build from.

Instead of just promoting songs, we focused on crafting a clear, consistent narrative around who Ashley is: a modern country artist with something real to say. Every release leaned into that identity, and we used storytelling to connect the dots—from press pitches and visual branding to how we showed up on social media. Because of that approach, Ashley's been featured in outlets like Billboard and Sweety High, and each win has helped grow her audience in a way that feels organic and true to who she is.

The key elements that made this campaign resonate were consistency, authenticity, and timing. We didn't try to rush her story—we let it evolve and meet the moment. And because of that, people connected with her not just as an artist, but as a person.

Building a brand at a young age comes with unique challenges. What's one obstacle you faced that was particularly tied to your age, and how did you overcome it? What advice would you give to other young entrepreneurs facing similar challenges?

Trevor Perkins: One of the biggest challenges I faced early on was being taken seriously. Starting out in PR and marketing as a teenager, there were plenty of moments where I felt underestimated or overlooked simply because of my age. People assumed I lacked experience, even when I had the results to back it up.

I overcame that by letting my work speak for itself. I focused on showing up consistently, delivering for my clients, and building a reputation rooted in trust, creativity, and follow-through. Over time, those wins stacked up—and so did the respect. I also leaned into the fact that being young gave me a unique perspective. I understood how my generation communicated, what grabbed attention, and how to move fast in a digital world.

My advice to other young entrepreneurs: don't wait for permission. If you know you have something to offer, lead with that. Be prepared to work harder, prove yourself more than once, and bet on your own potential—even if others don't see it yet. Your age can be a challenge, but it can also be your edge.

You've emphasized the importance of authenticity in today's landscape. Can you describe a situation where staying true to your values might have seemed risky from a business perspective, but ultimately paid off?

Trevor Perkins: There was a moment early in my career when I chose to take on artist campaigns at a "pay-what-you-can" rate, right as I was launching my business. From a traditional business standpoint, it probably seemed risky—especially as a young entrepreneur trying to build something sustainable. But for me, it was never just about the paycheck. It was about showing up for artists when they needed support the most—during a time when the world was shut down and many creatives were struggling just to stay visible.

Staying true to that value—leading with heart over profit—helped me build real trust in the community. Those early relationships turned into long-term clients, meaningful collaborations, and word-of-mouth referrals that helped grow my business organically. It reminded me that when you build something with intention and integrity, people feel that—and they remember it.

Authenticity might not always be the quickest path, but it's always the most lasting one.

In the fast-paced world of PR and marketing, how do you ensure that every move has impact, as you've mentioned? Can you walk us through your process for evaluating and prioritizing opportunities for your clients?

Trevor Perkins: In PR and marketing, it's easy to get caught up in saying "yes" to everything—but I've learned that not every opportunity is the right one. For me, impact comes from intentionality. I always ask: Does this align with the client's brand? Does it move the needle toward their long-term goals? If the answer's no, we pivot.

My process starts with knowing my clients deeply—who they are, what they stand for, and where they want to go. From there, I evaluate each opportunity based on three things: visibility, relevance, and timing. I look at the outlet or platform, the audience it reaches, and whether it's the right moment to share that particular story. If something checks all those boxes and reinforces the client's narrative, it's a go.

It's never about doing the most—it's about doing what matters most. That's how we make sure every move we make actually moves things forward.

You've recently relocated PERK PR & Creative to Nashville. How has this move influenced your approach to PR and marketing? Are there any unique aspects of the Nashville scene that have shaped your strategies?

Trevor Perkins: Relocating to Nashville was one of the best decisions I've made—not just for my business, but for my own growth. I've always loved the energy of this city. There's a sense of community here that's rare in the industry—people genuinely want to connect, collaborate, and champion one another. That spirit has completely influenced how I approach PR and marketing.

Being in Nashville has pushed me to be even more intentional about relationship-building. I show up, go to the events, grab the coffee, take the meetings. Face-to-face networking has become a huge part of my strategy—not just for clients, but for the agency as a whole. It's helped me create more personalized campaigns, form stronger media connections, and stay tapped into what's really happening on the ground.

Nashville is such a storytelling town, and that aligns perfectly with my belief that the best PR is rooted in authenticity and connection. This city has shaped my approach in all the right ways.

In your experience, what's one common mistake you see artists or brands make when trying to 'cut through the noise' in today's digital landscape? How do you help your clients avoid this pitfall?

Trevor Perkins: One of the most common mistakes I see artists or brands make is trying to be everywhere and appeal to everyone—which usually ends up watering down their message. In an effort to cut through the noise, they lose what makes them unique in the first place.

I always remind my clients: clarity beats volume. You don't need to be on every platform or jump on every trend—you need to know who you are, who you're speaking to, and why it matters. That's where we start. We build campaigns that are intentional, rooted in their story, and tailored to their audience.

I help clients avoid that pitfall by grounding everything in strategy. We focus on consistency, cohesive branding, and leaning into what feels authentic rather than forced. The goal isn't just visibility—it's impact. And that comes from knowing your voice and staying true to it, even when the digital landscape is constantly shifting.

You've mentioned the importance of showing up with intention. Can you share a specific networking experience that led to a significant opportunity for you or your clients? What made that interaction stand out?

Trevor Perkins: One of the most meaningful networking moments for me wasn't about pitching or making connections—it started by showing up to support a friend. I attended a panel they were speaking on, and as I sat in the audience, I felt genuinely inspired. The conversation sparked an idea: what if I created a panel of my own that brought together independent artists, creatives, and industry pros to talk about navigating the music business on their own terms?

That idea turned into The Power of Independent—a panel I hosted that focused on building sustainable careers without waiting for permission. It wasn't just a great event—it became a turning point. It brought visibility to my work, attracted new clients, and sparked conversations that have helped build a deeper sense of community around what I do.

That experience reminded me that some of the best opportunities come from simply being present, listening, and taking action when inspiration strikes.

Looking ahead, what's one emerging trend or technology in PR and marketing that you're excited about? How do you see it potentially changing the way stories are told and brands are built in the near future?

Trevor Perkins: One trend I'm especially excited about is the shift toward experiential and community-driven marketing. In a world that's increasingly digital, people are craving real connection—and that's changing how stories are being told. Brands and artists are moving beyond just posting content to actually creating moments that audiences can be part of, whether that's through intimate events, fan meetups, live pop-ups, or curated experiences.

I've seen firsthand how powerful this can be. When people feel involved in something—not just marketed to—they become invested in the story. It builds loyalty in a way that no algorithm ever could.

Looking ahead, I think we'll see more brands focusing on building community and creating experiences that bring people together around a shared mission or message. That's where lasting impact is made—and I'm excited to keep exploring that with the clients I work with.

Thank you!

Connect with Trevor Perkins on LinkedIn

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