Founder to Know: Nick Powills, No Limit Agency

The business of public relations is constantly evolving. As the chief brand strategist and owner of No Limit Agency*, a successful Chicago-based communications firm, Nick Powills has made it his business to be on top of the communications world. Powills founded the company in 2008, seeing an opportunity within the agency world to deliver better relationships, service and results while consistently accomplishing and exceeding clients’ expectations.

Today, No Limit Agency has earned national recognition within the Inc. 5000 and The Agency Post’s Agency 100 and Top Illinois Company by maintaining a high level of professionalism in the eyes of its clients, the media, the industry and the public.

1851 sat down with Nick to gain more insight into his business, success and growth in the years to come.

What inspired you to open your business and not follow the path of your previous employer?

I knew I had found an opening in the clouded world of communications and had two options: Build it with my current employer or build it on my own. Initially, I fully expected to remain with my employer versus taking the big step of entrepreneurship, but, ultimately, circumstance opened the door to doing it on my own.

Timing, ultimately, was everything, in that I had no long-term girlfriend, didn’t own property and had no children. Had I not made the move when I did, I would probably be on a forever career path. Now, as an employer, it’s up to me to spot the entrepreneurs on my team and invest in them not only with cash, but also with partnership opportunities. Whenever I have partnered with entrepreneurial minds, it has set our company up for additional stop-at-nothing growth.

What challenges did you, as a founder and owner, face this past year?

Millennials are still challenging to figure out the right path with. In 2014, our agency had the lowest turnover in our company’s history — thanks to a great collective effort by our VP/head of HR and our CFO, but, the career of a millennial is still challenging. Millennials don’t want to sit still, meaning, they are 2-year career folks, not forever committed like our parents.

Additionally, with the evolution of PR, 2014 produced more challenges for securing influential media coverage for our clients. However, by predicting changes, our agency secured 30 percent more media coverage for our clients in 2014 versus the prior year.

What is your vision for your brand in 2015 and how do you plan to execute this?

To take two steps toward becoming the greatest mid-sized agency that ever existed. One step would be fine, but two steps advances the progress more. Additionally, we have launched a new technology tool that combines all forms of communications to give brands the best chance of getting in front of their most influential buyers.

What do you know now that you wish you could have known when first opening your business?

How business actually worked. I looked at my former employer and figured that X dollars come in and salaries were the only real expense. Doesn’t work that way. I got my MBA in business by going through it.

Do you have any advice for failure?

Failure is only failure if you see it that way. It’s the half-full versus half-empty approach. If you were going to run a marathon tomorrow you would probably fail if you didn’t run 1 mile, 5 miles, 13 miles, 20 miles before. Failure, in my mind, is simply training for excellence.

Do you have any advice on how to succeed?

The power of positive thinking is very powerful. You can project your future by planning and dreaming. The hardest thing in business is to turn dreams into reality. But, if you are committed, persistent, honest and real, you can succeed.

What are you looking forward to in the future for your company?

Helping more of our teammates follow their dreams, which hopefully turn into some puzzle piece of our business.

Where do you see yourself in five, 10 and 20 years?

Probably still fighting the good fight — trying to figure out my business holes to fill in and continuing to build something special for all shareholders.

Is there anyone you look up to or have gotten advice from over the years as you've grown your business?

Many people. Sean Fitzgerald, who now works with me. Steve Beagelman, who is truly a good person and has taught me a lot in business. And every client we have worked with, even those who it didn’t match with. Every day is a lesson learned for me and I am blessed to work with amazing teachers in house and out of house.

To learn more about No Limit Agency and Nick Powills, visit www.nolimitagency.com.