Lyn Mettler, Forty Under 40 winner 2009

Age: 34

President, Step Ahead Inc.

Oversees all operations of her company, including marketing, public relations and business development.
Offers social media and traditional public relations strategy for clients.

Community involvement

Assists with public relations for the Charleston Marathon.
Assists with public relations for the Innovators 5K race.
Handled public relations for the spring Mom-to-Mom sale held by the MOMS Clubs of Mount Pleasant. Proceeds were donated to Windwood Farms.
Serves on the Web committee for the S.C. Public Relations Society of America.
Independent Practitioners representative for the Lowcountry region of SCPRSA.
Member, PRSA, Center for Women, Charleston Digital Corridor.
Speaks to groups and organizations across the state about using social media as a public relations tool.

What made you select your chosen profession? I started as a TV journalist but quickly discovered it was not for me. I’ve always enjoyed writing, and so with my journalism background, public relations was a natural profession for me to try. I’ve also always had an interest in computers, and then the Web. I studied how to use these as marketing tools. When blogs, social networking and other Web 2.0 tools emerged, I was fascinated by their power to quickly spread the word and learned everything I could about them.

What is the best career advice you’ve ever been given? Follow your heart, not your wallet.

Books on your nightstand: The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman and Never Check E-Mail In the Morning: And Other Unexpected Strategies for Making Your Work Life Work by Julie Morgenstern.