Today we’d like to introduce you to Bruce Wawrzyniak

Hi Bruce, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Since the prior VoyageTampa article, a lot has happened. That was September 2021 and I’ve been able to see a lot of growth in my business since then.

I credit this to staying active and visible.

A lot of people just see what’s on the surface — trips — but traveling for business has allowed me to keep my agency’s name out in front while I shake hands, network, do speaking engagements throughout the country, continue recording new interviews of my approximately 11-year old weekly podcast, have meetings, and build/nurture relationships.

Back at home, continuing to attend the Florida Podcasters Association meetings in Tampa every month has gotten me to the point where its founder handed the reigns over to me at the December 2024 meeting for me to start running going forward.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
If any business owner tells you it has been a smooth road, don’t believe them.

There are always struggles, whether financial or personnel or, in my case, there not being enough hours in a day. It becomes very important to prioritize.

Strange as it might sound, I have also struggled with saying No. My heart makes me someone that always wants to help, even at times when I should be turning potential new business away. Along the way I’ve also learned that the “good problem to have” expression sounds good to the person who’s saying it but isn’t entirely accurate.

It’s important for business owners to recognize that no one is going to work as hard at your business as you will, yourself.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have been a publicist for my entire professional career, albeit maybe by different titles when I was working for others.

But, Now Hear This provides those types of services — and more — for clients ranging from performers (i..e, singer/songwriters) to authors to a non-profit to an actor/filmmaker to someone who I call a “wildcard” in that he doesn’t fit any of those.

I’m proud to say that Now Hear This has clients throughout the country — from San Francisco to Los Angeles to Las Vegas to Wisconsin to Kansas to Virginia to both of the Carolinas to Nashville to, of course, Tampa, and points in between.

Our agency is different from most publicists, though, in that not only do we tailor services on a client-by-client basis (as opposed to a Package A, B, or C approach), but, there have been occasions where current or potential clients have said, “Oh! You do that (too)?!”

I am also out on the front lines rolling up my sleeves to know the pain points of the people we serve, whether that’s through continuing to host the weekly “Now Hear This Entertainment” podcast (talking to people having success in entertainment, primarily music) or attending — and speaking at — industry events across the U.S. for music AND the literary world.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how proud I am to have put out a new episode of the “Now Hear This Entertainment” podcast on-time, every week since its launch way back on February 17, 2014 and — adding other shows that I’ve been at the helm of — being up to more than 925 podcast episodes hosted over my career in that medium.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
Everyone probably says they love the weather in Tampa Bay, and I’m no exception, but, while I am fanatical for the Buccaneers, Lightning, and Rays, what I really love is that things get done here. There is always growth because that’s the difference between Tampa versus other cities that just talk about ideas and yet nothing gets done because politics get involved and committees have to form and studies have to get done but nothing ever materializes. Here, they not only talk the talk but they walk the walk. I am such an ambassador for this area because I love where I live so much.