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Phyllis Lacca

President, Masterpiece Advertising Design

What inspired you to join/start your business?

I love my work! My mom inspired me to do what I'm good at and do what I love. She was such a positive influence, always reminding me that I could do it especially at times when I was ready to give up!

This May, Masterpiece Advertising will be celebrating our 28th year in business. This year was challenging but I'm grateful to be able to successfully achieve growth objectives through a pandemic and in a dynamic and ever changing markets.

As President and Owner of award-winning agency, our team has built a reputation for marketing and business excellence both at home and around the globe. We have represented major brands in industries ranging from hospitality and finance to healthcare and not-for-profit. In doing so, we have established a networking array that includes luminaries from the realms of business, politics, entertainment, media, sports, and human services. Highly successful in building relationships and creating collaborative workplace environments.

What challenges have you faced as a woman entrepreneur and how did you overcome them?

27 years ago starting an advertising agency was challenging as a woman. All the guys would win the big accounts. So I sent my guys in to do the pitch and I stayed in the background doing the work!

What was your most satisfying moment in your career?

Winning the Charles Town Races & Slots account in West Virginia, back in the 90s. The CEO Peter Carlino asked us to create a top of mind awareness campaign in the DC/Baltimore market for his then racino & we did exactly that. My team and I developed a very creative campaign that was hugely successful increasing revenues 40%. Making front page headlines, and riding on I-95 seeing our fabulous creative made all the hard work so rewarding.

How do you define success?

In my business we measure the effectiveness of each and every campaign to determine success.
Personally my definition of success is achieving my personal goals, whatever they may be. What truly is important to me at present is staying healthy, being positive and happy!

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

Never Give Up! Work Hard, Stay Positive and Speak Up!

What women inspire you and why?

Oprah is a positive impact maker, who truly inspires me! At the heart of everything she does, there is a consistent message-that individuals should take personal responsibility for their lives. Oprah empowers and supports others through her giving, who passionately shares who she is and what she does with the world. She truly is the real deal. Her mission is to help as many people all over the world, not only to donating to charities but by establishing her own. She is a difference maker and personally I'd love to get on her invite list. She knows how to entertain and love life!

What advice would you give to other women entrepreneurs?

Live by example and make things happen. Take time to reflect on what you can do right now to make this world a better place when you leave it.

Describe yourself in three words.

Peace...Creative...Loving

Fill in the Blank:

  • When I face a challenge, I... I take 3 deep breaths & exhale.

 

  • If I could go back in time, I would tell myself… there is no such thing as being perfect, its ok to make mistakes

 

  • The one thing I couldn’t live without is… coffee.

 

  • By this time next year, I will be… traveling everywhere!

 

  • The best thing that happened to me last week was… I got to spend time with my goddaughter Gianna and my nephew Ben Gottih...love them!

 

  • To get my creative juices flowing, I… I disconnect from the world...yoga & meditation is really helpful.
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