We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Camile Sardina. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Camile below.

Alright, Camile thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

About 10 years ago, I was working for a startup public relations firm that allowed me to learn and manage just as much as the founder. Three years later, I hit a growth plateau and needed a change. Since I understood exactly how the startup operated, and that I could earn much more than what I was, I decided I should try venturing off on my own.

Little by little – still while working for the company – I created the business name Evolist Media, a logo, and a website on my own in preparation for the day I would launch my own public relations startup.

During that time, I signed up for a brand new dance class in New York City called SassClass. Minutes into the class, I knew it was special.

Unlike the many dance classes I had tried, SassClass offered something novel at the time: story-centered video programs that made women of all performance levels feel like pop stars in their very own dance video. Beyond being a studio, it formed a bond of “SassSisters” that deserved its own spotlight.

I knew it was not covered in the media…a winning combo for a publicist. We all want a story worth telling that has not been told!

One day after a class, I spoke to the owner, Julia Sokol, about Evolist Media and my hope to have SassClass as my first client. I shared what I knew were all the meaningful stories within the studio, including her own, and why they are press worthy. I described my work achievements and how I earned them. And as someone who understood the power of SassClass, I revealed how it transformed me as a woman. As dancers pour their hearts on the dancefloor, I poured my heart into that conversation. I believe it was that passion that landed me the collaboration on the spot.

Within the first month of the media relations campaign, I landed SassClass a feature video story with SELF Magazine that went viral. The stars were aligned! I’m forever grateful.

Camile, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m the Founder/CEO of Evolist Media, a boutique public relations firm spotlighting thought leaders and brands that evolve our world.

Evolist Media offers public relations services from media relations, copywriting, influencer relations, event management, speaking engagements, media training, social media management, and more.

The problems we solve for clients mainly fall under brand awareness and visibility. Many of our clients have had little to no media or speaking experience. This is where Evolist Media comes in and says, “Help is on the way, dear!” Cheers to the “Mrs. Doubtfire” fans who immediately understood that reference. We’ve helped clients with minimal online presence make their broadcast, online, and print debuts with Good Morning America, The Today Show, Glamour, SELF, Reader’s Digest, USA Today, and so much more. After all, our craft is helping clients EVOLVE.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

While this might be a cliche answer, Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People” had the biggest impact on my business philosophy. When you’re a first-time business owner, you experience endless first-time problems that need to be solved. This book is a blueprint for painting healthy client/customer relationships. It has practical analyses on the human mind and what it needs in business relationships, much of which is the same in personal ones. It’s also ridiculously easy-to-follow. No fluff – just straightforward, honest tips that will probably make you say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” or “Wow, I didn’t think of it that way.” For example, never make the client feel wrong. Notice the stress on feel. Even if you believe the client is wrong, there is an art in expressing your opposition without being rude, and if desired, without losing their business. Constructive criticism is key. The anecdotes in the book will help you prepare for those dicier types of conversations.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

Evolist Media started as a side hustle.

When I moved to New York City in 2014, I started working as a nearly full-time freelance publicist for a startup public relations firm. I preferred freelancing because it allowed me to earn money with other passions and interests of mine, from writing, acting, and modeling. It also allowed me to work remotely. It’s a work dynamism I maintain to this day. I can’t ever do just one thing!

In the startup environment, you wear so many hats and have the luxury of learning a business from the inside out. After a few years, I felt like I learned everything I could. That gave me the confidence to try managing clients on my own.

Before I did, I spoke to my boss about wanting to spread my own wings. In the kindest way, she said: “I knew this day would come. I support you.” She allowed me to work less hours while I started to build my own clientele.

Keep in mind this was an easier transition since I was legally a freelancer. Legally, I was able to work with the startup while operating my own. So if you’re in a stricter corporate environment, see if they would be open to freelance or part-time work.

In terms of scaling up Evolist Media to what it is today, here are some important actions I took:
–I hired a social media manager when the funds allowed for it.
–I collaborated with a college graphic design team that gave my previously self-made website a major makeover.
–I created an Evolist Media Info Sheet that gave first-time prospects an overview of successful campaigns, links to the best placements per client, information about the company and myself, referrals, references, and more.
–I networked like crazy by striking conversations with every NYC business I walked in, chatting with every entrepreneur working next to me in cafes, by joining different organizations, and by working in co-working spaces.
–I invested in services that saved time and enhanced results while not breaking the bank.

Some key milestones:
–I landed my first-ever client an epic first-ever press story: a viral video story with SELF Magazine.
–During the pandemic, I pitched a client onto the Instagram page of Good Morning America.
–By pure hustling, I earned my small-town party store client a spot on The Today Show.
–From features, guest articles, to quotes, I’ve sailed my clients onto the pages of Reader’s Digest, Women’s Health, Well + Good, POPSUGAR, USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, Rolling Stone, and so much more.
–I’ve been able to grow the firm to the point of hiring part-time and freelance publicists.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://evolistmedia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolistmedia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvolistMedia
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camile-sardina-6326bb49/

Image Credits
Sam Dorado / Sam Gold (@samgoldphotos)