Catherine Ramos is a world traveled influencer under Catherine Wanders
I run a Social Media Management Company that helps grow brands and personalities on Instagram, Youtube and Facebook. I like to help others achieve their unique goals with social media by really listening to what matters most to them. Social media is a 24/7 machine constantly running, and that’s the pace I set for my clients, where they can be discovered at any time of day, anywhere in the world, by the right audience.
When I first started consulting for social media I was still in college at Parsons the New School for Design, getting a Design and Business management degree. Although I personally had only 4,000 followers back then on my Instagram account, I just understood it and felt confident I could help others grow. Since then, my Instagram (www.instagram.com/catherinewanders) has over 80,000 followers and it has become an example of what I can do for clients: organic and continuous social media growth.
Do you have hobbies? What are they? Is it important to take “time off” and focus on other things such as friends, family, hobbies etc.? What do you think of the stereotype that entrepreneurs are workaholics?
I love to travel often, dine out, spend time with my husband and two dogs, photography, fashion and to see friends and family when I can. It takes a lot of FLEXIBILITY in my work schedule to be able to do all of that. I like to tune it all out each day, live a lot, and work efficiently and persistently. I believe entrepreneurs are always thinking and learning, a lot of mental energy is spent each day, because it is exciting to evolve.
What made you choose this type of business? Why? What other markets are you interested in?
I chose this type of business because it was what I was most passionate about and spent the most time on daily. I wanted to be in the fashion industry in some way and also travel, so as influencer, companies send me clothes to wear and post and also hotels or places will hook me up with accommodation in exchange for posts. There are perks to being in front of the camera. My clients are also in the industries that I love: fashion industry, music industry, tourism and communications.
What is failure? Do you think it’s a crucial step to success?
Failure helps you realize what does NOT work or matter so you can focus on what actually does. You have to take risks and test the market, finding what works is the reward. An example of a fail is how I realized that emailing people about my services does not help, the way I get clients is by them reaching out to me, or a friend refers them to me. Those are the clients that are truly seeking my services.
What helped you get to where you are right now? Was this accomplishment a clear goal or did it happen by chance?
The more you do something the better your skills become. People noticed I was growing my social media and they wanted help. Some just wanted advice and others really wanted long term management to make things happen for them. As the seeds were planted, word of mouth really helped kickstart my business. Now I have real goals, and each day is filled with opportunity!
How has being an entrepreneur affected your life? How did it change the way you think about life?
I’ve always had a deep desire to be an entrepreneur, I felt lost and dissatisfied if I was not doing something I was passionate about. My husband is also an entrepreneur, I love the way he views life and lives, and he inspired me to pursue my dreams. I never fit into the parameters of the corporate world, and now I am at peace with myself for finding my own way through this ever-changing life.
What is the best practice to approach your competition?
There are a lot of social media agencies out there, but what sets me apart is that people trust me, they know me, they can relate to me. They have a social media manager that will be with them long term through the process and who wants them to succeed. They post what and when they want, meanwhile I help boost their visibility to quality potential customers and fans.