Meet Julia Lytle | PR Agency Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julia Lytle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After years working across traditional public relations, social and digital marketing, experiential, brand partnerships, influencer relations and multicultural—with brands like Kellogg’s, Turner Sports and Hitachi—I found myself contracting with several specialized agencies in Chicago. Each focused narrowly on one discipline, and I saw how siloed that approach could be. In 2019, I launched Che Public Relations to offer a more integrated strategy for clients, putting earned media at the forefront and supporting it with cohesive brand marketing. Today, that mission has expanded through Club Che, our educational platform that empowers entrepreneurs and creatives to take PR into their own hands.

What should our readers know about your business?
People often ask where the name Che comes from, and I think it perfectly captures what we aim to do for every client. After college, I spent six months living and teaching English in a small town in Argentina. What I expected to be a brief detour before returning to agency life in Boston became a transformative experience. I was welcomed into a tight-knit community that made a faraway place feel like home. In Argentine Spanish, “ché” is a casual exclamation—like saying “hey, look at this!” That phrase stuck with me. When I launched Che Public Relations, my goal was to help brands earn that same kind of attention and connection: to get people to stop, take notice, and ultimately, care.

At Che PR, we specialize in earned media and integrated brand storytelling. Traditional PR is our foundation—I’ve been in the industry for over a decade—but we go beyond press coverage to create thoughtful strategies that include social media, digital marketing, brand collaborations and events. I like to say storytelling is our bread and butter, but crafting the story is our passion. Because in today’s ever-changing media landscape, a great story isn’t enough—it has to be worth sharing.

The journey to building this business hasn’t always been easy. Like many small businesses, we’ve navigated economic uncertainty, shifting industry trends and moments of self-doubt. But what’s carried us through is a deep belief in the power of connection and consistency. We take a collaborative approach, working hand-in-hand with clients’ internal teams and partners to ensure their message is clear, aligned and impactful at every touchpoint.

What sets us apart is our commitment to thoughtful, integrated work that’s rooted in community and cultural relevance. Whether we’re securing national press or producing a local pop-up, everything we do is designed to elevate a brand’s presence in a way that feels human, strategic and deeply aligned. That’s what ché means to us—and what we hope people feel when they experience our clients’ work.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1: Venice Vibes / Ease In
Beach walk to coffee at The Cow’s End & watch the surfers at the Venice Pier

Beach volleyball with Venice Beach Volleyball

Smoothie/coffee break at Erewhon Venice (it’s a tourist attraction, obviously!)

Stroll the Venice Canals

Lunch at Great White (California cuisine staple)

Spa afternoon at Den Mother OR cold plunge/saunaat newly-opened Likeminded on Washington

Dinner at Abbot Kinney (Alisa Wine & Friends, RVR or Gjelina)

Day 2: West Hollywood Reset & Retail Therapy
Morning workout with Zay at Headquarters LA

Smoothie from Body Energy Club

Miracle Sculpt massage at SKINIC

Lunch at Soho House Holloway

Afternoon shopping: The RealReal, Jacquemus (a must-see new location), A.L.C., STAUD, Acne Studios

Dinner options (depending on vibe): The Little Door (romantic), Alba (cozy-chic), Craig’s (classic celeb spot), Delilah (scene-y and fun)

Day 3: DTLA Discovery
Breakfast & poolside morning at Soho Warehouse

Coffee stop at Maru

Visit Oliver Ateliers & check out other local galleries and shops

Shopping & snacks at The Row DTLA & lunch (Smorgasburg LA if it’s Sunday)

Dinner at David Chang’s MajorDomo

Day 4: Hollywood Highlights
Grab a to-go bagel & coffee from Yeastie Boys

Morning hike at Runyon Canyon

Stop by Goldwyn House (The Future Perfect) for dreamy, one-of-a-kind interiors

Shopping at Lost & Found Hollywood

Hollywood Walk of Fame stroll

Dinner at Mother Wolf by Evan Funke

Comedy show

Day 5: Malibu Moment
Pastries from Gjusta Bakery

Drive scenic PCH to Topanga Beach

Surf lesson with my friend Venice Surf Shack

Lobster roll lunch at Broad Street Oyster Co. at Malibu Country Mart
(Used to take people for a post-surf lunch at Reel Inn, but unfortunately their restaurant burned during the January fires)

Relax at the beach or visit El Matador

Dinner at Nobu Malibu or Giorgio Baldi for celebrity spotting potential

Day 6: Eastside Gems
Brunch at All Time (Los Feliz favorite with a cult following)

Thrift shopping in Los Feliz & Highland Park – start at Squaresville, then explore nearby vintage gems

Afternoon drive along Mulholland for stunning views

Visit the Griffith Observatory

Time it for sunset if possible

Back to the westside for dinner at Market Venice & ice cream sundae dessert at Cou Cou

Day 7: Santa Monica Send-Off

Smoothies from Main Squeeze

Mani/pedi at Pinkie’s Nail Spa (new beautiful location)

Stroll Main Street Santa Monica

Shopping at Lost & Found

Lunch at Crudo e Nudo

Explore the Santa Monica Pier

Dinner at Casa Del Mar’s Terrazza Restaurant

Dessert at Go Greek Yogurt

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve been lucky to learn from some incredible people throughout my career, and each chapter has shaped how I lead and build my business today. My time as an Intern & Account Coordinator at 360PR+ in Boston was foundational—my manager Mike demonstrated what it truly means to be an agency leader, modeling strong, respectful client relationships and laying the groundwork for some of systems I still use at Che Public Relations.

At 25, I moved to Chicago as part of a three-person team at Publicis social media agency Relevant24 (now part of Digitas), tapped to lead our Kellogg’s account. Thrust into a leadership role early on, I quickly learned the importance of initiative, adaptability and showing up with confidence. I’m especially grateful to my mentors Maria and Alina, whose guidance pushed me to operate at my full potential. It was during this time that I first heard the phrase “control the controllables”—a mantra I still carry with me today.

Most recently, working part-time at Lost & Found, a retail boutique in Santa Monica, was a grounding experience. Founder Jamie reminded me of the power of simplicity: know your audience, offer something of quality and show up with impeccable service. Her ability to build a beloved brand that’s thrived for 25+ years in Los Angeles—even through a pandemic—was a powerful reminder that good business fundamentals always win out. I carry lessons from all of these people with me every day.

Finally, I have to mention my mom—who defied expectations by starting medical school at 35, after my brother and I were born. She’s still a practicing physician today, and I deeply admire her commitment to treating the root causes of illness rather than just prescribing quick fixes.

Website: https://chepublicrelations.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chepublicrelations/

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/company/chepublicrelations

Image Credits
Susannah Pazdan Photo