Flying is unnerving to many, but not to San Francisco Bay-area native Paula Swift. She is in the minority, as women pilots represent only eight to 10 percent of all private aviators. What’s more impressive than Swift’s hobby, though, is her career. Three years ago she founded Prosper Business Image Consulting, a consulting firm that is increasing profitability for numerous local businesses. Swift helps her clients enhance their business images by offering strategic planning, branding and marketing collateral services as well as public relations and business development. As a result, her clients achieve recognition by creating a greater awareness of the services or products that each has to offer — a unique first impression that she hopes will elevate consumer confidence.

“I love to celebrate their successes with them — it’s addicting — and help them envision the long term and big window of opportunity when they struggle,” she enthuses.

With more than 15 years of experience in retail sales, marketing and public relations, Swift decided to make a go at self-employment in order to attain better balance and flexibility in her personal life.

“The greatest challenge in the beginning was overcoming my fear factor,” Swift admits. “I wondered, ‘Will there be enough work? Will they like what I have to offer? Can I support my family?’

“I’ve always wanted to do the things I enjoy that maximize my talents and bring the appropriate income for the value of what I have to offer.” She continues, “Nashville is such an incredible platform for small businesses and entrepreneurs.”

Prosper is a virtual marketing agency that employs a dedicated team of contract specialists including graphic designers, media buyers and copywriters, among others. Her team members are plugged into projects as needed to meet the objectives of individual clients. Swift offers similar services to what the bigger marketing firms have to offer, but with lower overhead. She remains the client’s primary account executive throughout the process, to provide direction and recommendations.

What does the future hold? “I’d like to expand the business to include aviation clients,” Swift says ... a goal that will surely take flight!