Cheryl Snapp Conner is founder and CEO of SnappConner PR and creator of Content University (TM). She is a popular speaker, author and national columnist on business communication and PR. In 2014, ClearPoint Strategies named her one of the world’s Top 20 Business Thought Leaders to Follow.
Since the launch of SnappConner PR in April 2007, the agency has established itself as a top US thought leadership and communications firm, winning Top Tech Communicator recognition and multiple awards for agency growth. Cheryl has been named to Signal Peak’s v100 list each year since 2008. She is a trustee and member of the Executive Committee of the Utah Technology Council (UTC) and has headed the UTC Communications Committee since 2004. She has been recognized by Utah Business Magazine’s 30 Women to Watch and is a two-time finalist in the Utah Women in Technology awards. Prior to forming her first agency in 1989, Snapp Conner was Director of Public Relations for Novell.
Age: 57
Company Name: SnappConner PR
Title: Founder and CEO
Website: snappconner.com
Hometown: Eagle, Idaho. It was just like Napoleon Dynamite.
Family: I am married now 13 years to my sweetheart and co-founder Vic Conner and as a combined family we are the parents of 9 (only 2 still living at home) and we have 7 grandchildren.
Favorite Quote/Saying: “Some people make things happen. Some watch what happens. Some stand by and say ‘What just happened??’ Which one are you?”
I was an oldest child who was prepped from near birth to excel scholastically and graduated high school at age 17. I played piano through all of my young and have maintained a love of music (and of working out) all my life.
Most important college or real life experience and advice you would you give a high school student?
I consider both college (or the equivalent in another way) and experience equally important. I can’t rank one above the other. But however it’s obtained, emotional maturity, resilience, and the ability to be a problem solver instead of a passive participant in situations are essential capabilities for life.
Tell us about your first job:
I did the bookkeeping for my dad’s wholesale electronics business. I have never loved math, but as an entrepreneur I have learned to respect it.
What is a personal goal you have?
To create a business that is self-running. We’re getting there.
What is your biggest motivator in life and in business?
I love being able to make a real and meaningful difference for entrepreneurs.
What is new or “hot” in your industry that you’re excited about?
Thought leadership – and the ability of every entrepreneur to be their own best publisher and PR representative – is a huge development in communication. It means everything.
What is your biggest pet peeve about technology?
Too much time wasted on negative or meaningless things is a peeve, along with technology being used for bad purposes (spying, bullying, or harassment).
Is there a book you would recommend to our readers? Why?
So many choices. But a recent favorite is “Traction,” which gives helpful strategies for determining the best path to viability and growth for any startup company.
Tell us about your preferred social media platform and what makes it so great?
I use Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter all heavily, and they all have unique benefits – that’s why I participate in all three.
Tell us about your real-life hero?
I have many. But one in particular is Carine Clark, the CEO of customer experience company MaritzCX. She’s had huge achievements ranging from CMO of Symantec (the world’s second largest software company) to CEO of start up vendor Allegience, which she got funded, equipped for growth, and acquired by Maritz CX, which she now heads as CEO and has grown to a $200 M company, so far. And she’s a survivor of cancer, having been given just 20% odds. She’s also a strong advocate for women, for other leaders, and for entrepreneurs.
What is one mistake you would make again and why?
Wow – I’ve learned from all my mistakes, but the only one I would willing make again was my unhappy former marriage of 23 years, because it produced my 5 children (two adopted from Russia) and taught me the business skills and resilience that are with me to this day. So I’d have done that again twice, or more, willingly. All other mistakes I’m grateful to learn from and leave them behind.
Leave us with your best advice for up and coming entrepreneurs or a personal daily discipline that has contributed to your current success (or both if you want):
For up and coming entrepreneurs – you create your life and your future with your decisions every single day. Make them good ones. Be strategic, as hard as it is amid the hustle to stay alive and cash positive every day. Never lose sight of the bigger picture as you are creating it step by step as you go.
Do you want to see what you have in common with me? Here are some of my preferences, at a glance…
Vanilla
Chips or Pretzels?
Chips
Mountains or Beach?
Mountains
Early Bird or Night Owl?
Both
Sweet or Savory?
Savory
Mac or PC?
Mac
Cake or Pie?
Cake
Dog or Cat?
Dog
Pen or Pencil?
Pen
Car or Truck?
Car
Summer or Winter?
Summer
Introvert or Extrovert?
Extrovert
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