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

Christena, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

As a multi-entrepreneur under the microscope of many as a brand leader, I take being a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs and future leaders very seriously. As a result, there are a few qualities that I think are really important to succeed in that responsibility as I’ve grown as an entrepreneur over the years.

I believe in order to be successful it takes a combination of vision, determination, resilience and readiness to continue learning and adapting as well. One anecdote which demonstrates this point is my journey with Media Culture, previously known as Koeppel Direct. When I joined the company, it was just a small start-up with big ambitious goals. We sure had our share of struggles along the way: from adaptation with shifts in the industry to bouncing back after we experienced quite a number of pitfalls and roadblocks. Still, through persistence and a common purpose for our vision, we managed to make Media Culture a flourishing agency that provides smashing results to its clients.

In addition, it is necessary to be authentic and real to be successful. I share my wins and fails openly, with hopes to encourage people to connect with me on a personal level and realize I’m just a regular person who has faced my own share of challenges. This transparency encourages them to stay true to themselves too, as they build their own ventures. Showing resilience is huge. Entrepreneurship can be full of setbacks, but by opening up about the times I’ve overcome obstacles, I can authentically demonstrate the power of bouncing back from those hurdles.

Empowering others, especially women, to pursue their dreams with confidence is also a key to my success as a multi-entrepreneur. Cheering others on to take risks, step outside of their comfort zones, and become leaders while providing growth opportunities and creating a supportive culture are vital. Having a clear vision and sense of purpose is so important. I share what drives my own passion so others can connect with their own motivations to drive their success.

Embracing diversity and inclusion is essential too. Diverse teams create better innovations, and as a role model, I work to foster inclusive environments where all voices are welcomed and valued equally.

Christena, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a multi entrepreneur in the Greater Dallas area, with businesses that include a digital marketing agency (Media Culture), a local med spa (Elite Derma) and most recently, a new client-doctor communication tool for cancer patients (Oncolo), as I am a cancer survivor myself with a passion for helping others as best I can. I got into the industry based on my passion for media and marketing. After having completed my accounting degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, it wasn’t much later that the dynamic world of advertising and media is what I decided I wanted to be a part of. With this new passion in tow, I set off on a career path that eventually brought me to where I now stand as CEO of Media Culture.

I have always had a strong interest in business and advertising. I chose to pursue a career in advertising because I have always found the creative and dynamic aspects of the industry intriguing. Starting out, I worked for advertising agencies in various capacities, where I was exposed to all aspects of the business, from account management to creative development.

I discovered a sizable need in the industry for a firm specializing in creative and successful advertising campaigns that produced quantifiable outcomes while I carried out my own professional development. This revelation sparked my entrepreneurial path. In 2019, I took a chance and acquired Koeppel Direct, which I later led the rebrand to Media Culture. I had a lot of obstacles and doubts to overcome because it was such a risky decision, but my love for the field and my goals for the agency kept me going.

My commitment to the digital marketing area was one of my career’s most significant turning points. I became aware of internet marketing’s capacity to change lives and reach a worldwide audience. Media Culture became a multi-platform, international brand response firm focusing on digital marketing and omnichannel campaigns.

Working with various customers and sectors throughout the years, I’ve had the good fortune to assist them in achieving their marketing and commercial goals. Continuous learning, adjusting to changes in the business, and a dedication to providing our clients with outstanding results have all been the hallmarks of this journey.

As Media Culture’s CEO and founder, I’m so proud of the agency’s development and track record of providing creative and practical digital marketing solutions. I’m very proud of the phenomenal team we’ve built at Media Culture and the transformational work we’ve been able to accomplish with—and on behalf of our clients. From successful marketing campaigns to business growth and impact, the record speaks about our team’s commitment and expertise.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One particular incident that jumps out as evidence of my perseverance occurred early in my career in the media sector. At the time, I was confronted with tremendous hurdles, such as navigating a fast-changing landscape, battling self-doubt and managing professional and personal obligations.

Despite these hurdles, I was determined to follow my passion for media and marketing. I refused to let disappointments define me or prevent me from achieving my ambitions. Instead, I saw each problem as a chance to develop and learn.

When I had a huge setback in a high-stakes project, it put my resilience to the test. Despite numerous hours of hard labor and commitment, the project encountered unanticipated challenges that jeopardized its success. It would have been simple to feel disheartened and give up, but I decided to persist. Similarly, the news that I had cancer was one of the most significant turning points in my professional life. I see my life and career much differently now due to this encounter. It reaffirmed how crucial resilience, balance and self-care are. My health journey provided inspiration which allowed me to utilize my experience to uplift and support my team and others going through comparable difficulties.

My journey with cancer was an experience that gave me invaluable lessons in fortitude, persistence, and the indomitable human spirit. It presented before me, that in every depressing time, there is always hope and that with courage and determination we can overcome even the gravest ills that life thrusts upon us.

My journey has been a testimony to the power of tenacity, flexibility and a profound belief in the worth of my work. It is a reminder that we can discover growth opportunities and positively impact the world despite adversity.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Most importantly, the incident that really defined my career and entrepreneurial journey, arrived unannounced and uninvited in the form of a life-altering diagnosis of cancer. It really was one of those times when I was right in the thick of it, building it all up—my career and other things, making strides as an entrepreneur. However, this diagnosis really made me take a step back and reevaluate my priorities.

Another mammoth task was going through all the cancer treatment hurdles with all my professional hats on at work. Not for one second was I not afraid or worried – of course, I was, but I did not want the diagnosis to become who I am and derail my dreams.

Instead, I approached my cancer journey with the same determination and resilience that I pursued in my career. I relied on my entrepreneurial spirit to carry me through the complexities of treatment, which helped me to make informed choices while seeking new solutions to any roadblocks.

Throughout my treatment, I kept leading my team and driving my business forward, only with a better view and purpose. My journey with cancer became a testament to my resilience and how committed I am to success, both personally and professionally.

My experience as a leader and entrepreneur when treatment was over really caused a profound transformation within me. It helped me instill a greater sense of empathy, compassion and gratitude that I could pour into my work and leadership style.

Today, I stand proud to have emerged from the shackles of cancer and to have succeeded in my career today. The journey taught me great lessons and values on how to be resilient, adaptable and to persevere in the face of adversities in life. The road has been tough, but it has finally helped to make me a stronger, more resilient leader and entrepreneur.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cagventuresonline.com/
• Instagram: @iamchristenag
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christenagarduno/

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Kathy Tran