We recently had the chance to connect with Samantha Breen and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Samantha, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I always wanted to learn how to lift weights, but honestly, the whole “intense gym bro” vibe kept me out of the weight room for way too long. My husband (boyfriend at the time) agreed to hold my hand and showed me how to lift correctly and safely (along with some tips on gym etiquette). Over time, I got stronger, realized I really enjoyed it, and now it’s part of my fitness routine. Somewhere along the way, I thought, “You know what? I want to teach this to other women who are intimidated by this.” So, I went out and got my group fitness instructor certification—not to become some overzealous gym influencer, but because I wanted to help other women who feel just as awkward and out of place in the gym as I once did. Now, I teach weekly classes at STAT Wellness in Berry Hill, and it’s a really satisfying way to counterbalance my otherwise very laptop-heavy career.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I run a PR firm out of Franklin that likes to get its hands dirty across all areas of marketing—not just media placements and fluffy press releases. We’re more like a Swiss Army knife for our clients’ visibility and growth. SEO, content strategy, external comms, brand positioning—it’s all part of the job.
Right now, we’re neck-deep in helping brands become visible in a world where AI is taking over how people search, shop, and discover. It’s no longer just about SEO—now it’s about optimizing for answer engines (AEO) and generative AI platforms (GEO), which is as futuristic as it sounds, but also kind of a survival tactic for any brand that wants to be relevant in 2025 and beyond.
Opportunity PR (OPR) has been around for 6 years now, and we’re always learning, shifting, and growing – and that’s what makes it fun!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
That’s easy—my dad! He grew up in South London in a working-class family that sometimes struggled to make ends meet. He didn’t even have an indoor bathroom at home until he was around 14! That upbringing gave him a survival instinct that drove him to work incredibly hard. While he was never particularly good in school, he was always very creative, and as he grew up, he found ways to leverage that creativity into businesses that brought him great success.
He worked insane hours when I was growing up but always made it home for dinner, which, looking back, I’m not sure how he pulled off without cloning himself! Over the years, he was able to find more balance when it came to business—but he would never pass up an opportunity to make some money. We always used to joke about how people would seek him out at the eleventh hour when they needed help (in fact, that was the name of one of his agencies), and while he was always happy to do it, it wasn’t going to come cheap!
Most of what I know about business I learned from watching my dad. I honestly think the greatest compliment I’ve ever received was him telling me that while I may have learned a lot about work from him, in his eyes, I do it better than he ever could have. I don’t agree, but I’ll take the compliment.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
That everything is temporary—good or bad. You have to go through the garbage to fully appreciate when things are good. My dad calls it “swings and roundabouts”—it’s all cyclical.
When I started my business in September 2019, six months later the world shut down. I remember thinking, “Well, that was a fun six-month career.” But I didn’t have much else going on (you know, other than a global pandemic), so I kept at it. Ironically, I was working with a lot of baby brands, and thanks to a certain pandemic baby boom, my business took off.
It taught me that setbacks are part of the ride. Sometimes you just have to white-knuckle through them.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I would have to say my daughter. At only 19 months old, I watch how determined she is in her small little bubble of the world. No obstacle feels out of her reach, and her curiosity knows no bounds. Lately, I’ve been watching her climb every piece of furniture with such tenacity and determination. And let’s be honest—I’m not exactly thrilled about having my baby on top of furniture, but she’s so incredibly determined. She uses every ounce of strength she can muster to pull herself up onto the coffee table (or whatever it is), and she’s so proud of herself. I just have to sit back and let her have that moment. It’s a sweet reminder that even in such a tiny little package, her power astonishes me.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing?
Honestly—nothing! One of my main goals in life is to live without any regrets. I work hard and set goals for myself, and that’s how I live my life. Take the group coaching certification as an example. Years ago, before I moved to Tennessee, I used to take a spin class with an instructor named Dani, and I always thought she was so cool. She was charismatic, motivating, and had this amazing energy about her. At the time, I thought, I could never do something like that. I didn’t think I had the right personality, fitness level, or experience.
But over the years, I’ve realized I never want to live in a way where I’m selling myself short. If I want to do something, I’m going to find a way to make it happen. And now, all these years later, I’m doing just that!
When I taught my first class, I was nervous—and I think the GM even told me it felt a little robotic (ouch!). But I knew I wasn’t going to give up. I had worked hard to get to that place. Now, I have people asking me how long I’ve been doing this because it comes off so natural! It’s honestly a huge compliment that I don’t take for granted, but it’s also a testament to how I live my life: once I have a goal or a dream, I will find a way to make it happen—because that’s the example I want to set for my daughter.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.opportunitypr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opportunitypr/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-breen-0b0a7418/
Image Credits
Diana DeFatta
