Graphic design firm owner encourages women to jump into business ownership
Cohoes native Kelly Fahey started her career 30 years ago as a freelance graphic designer, working from home.
The schedule allows her to be there for her kids when they had snow days or got colds and continue working.
Once she had an empty nest, she decided to give starting a business a try.
“I love what I do, I love art, I love design,” she said. “Then we decided to transition more into a marketing and PR firm.”
Primeau Fahey and Associates, based in Troy, is now a boutique consultancy and creative agency, specializing in research-driven community engagement, marketing, and PR campaigns.
“Most of our clients and organizations are people that make a difference in the community, the arts and culture,” she said.
Fahey enjoys being able to grow a business in the community that she grew up in and calls home.
“My dad owned a small business, and it feels good to also have a small business in the community,” she said.
It is a certified women-owned business, and most of the people on the team are women.
Fahey wants to “empower them to feel like they can do anything they want to do,” she siad.
Her advice for any woman thinking of starting her own business – just do it.
“If you wait until the time is right, the finances are right. It’s never going to be perfect. It’s never going to be right,” she said. “If you have a passion and you have something that excites you. Just do it and it’ll all work out,” she said.