Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christina Cevetillo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Christina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

Sage Marketing & Media began with my passion for both marketing and fitness. I envisioned a business that could combine these two interests into something meaningful and impactful. The idea sparked during a late-night brainstorming session, where I realized there was a gap in the market for marketing services tailored specifically to small businesses with quality social media marketing.

The next day, I wasted no time in diving headfirst into research. I spent hours studying the market, analyzing competitors, and identifying potential clients. I knew that in order to succeed, I needed a clear understanding of my target audience and their needs.

As the days turned into weeks and months, I focused on laying the foundation for my business. This involved everything from creating a business plan and securing funding to registering my company and building a brand identity. It was a challenging process that required careful planning and meticulous attention to detail all while still in finals week and working 30+ hours a week.

One of the biggest hurdles I faced was finding the right team to help bring my vision to life. I spent countless hours networking, interviewing candidates, and assembling a talented and dedicated team of professionals. Surrounding myself with the right people was crucial to the success of my business.

As we neared launch day, the excitement and anticipation were palpable. I poured my heart and soul into every aspect of the business, from designing our website to crafting our marketing strategy. Finally, after months of hard work and dedication, Sage Marketing and Media was ready to launch.

The first year was a whirlwind of activity. We hit the ground running, securing clients, and constantly striving to exceed expectations. There were inevitable challenges along the way, but each obstacle only served to make us stronger and more resilient.

Looking back on the journey from idea to execution, I am incredibly proud of how far we’ve come. It was a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, but through perseverance and determination, I turned a simple idea into a thriving business. And as I continue to pursue my passion for fitness alongside my role as CEO, I am reminded that anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and a clear vision for the future.

Christina, 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’m Christina Cevetillo, the CEO of Sage Marketing and Media, and a passionate bodybuilder. My journey into the marketing industry began with a deep-rooted fascination for the power of branding and communication. I’ve always been intrigued by how businesses can effectively connect with their target audience and make a lasting impact through social media. I love meeting new people and that is what I get to do everyday with my organic social media marketing techniques!

As I delved deeper into the marketing world, I realized there was a niche waiting to be filled. I noticed a lack of specialized marketing services tailored specifically to provide quality content creation for small businesses, which is an area I’m incredibly passionate about due to my background in my family’s small business ventures. This realization sparked the idea for Sage Marketing and Media. My work ethic and discipline stem from my passion for bodybuilding and fitness which takes a whole lot of dedication and eating limited food options. Between my motivation and passion, Sage M&M was born and I would not trade it for the world. I get to help connect people and spread my love of creating valuable content everyday.

At Sage, we provide a range of marketing services geared towards service-based companies in industries ranging from real estate, medical, wellness, restaurants and hospitality brands. From branding and social media management to content creation and digital advertising, we offer comprehensive solutions to help our clients stand out in a crowded market.

One of the key problems we solve for our clients is helping them cut through the noise and reach their target audience effectively. In an industry as competitive as real estate, it’s essential to have a strong and distinctive brand identity. We work closely with our clients to develop branding strategies that resonate with their audience and set them apart from the competition with a comprehensive engagement strategy to back it up. This strategy is called the growth by hand strategy where we market research our client’s target audience and directly market to them via social media.

What sets Sage M&M apart from others in the industry is our unique combination of marketing expertise and customized approach to servicing our clients. This allows us to provide insights and solutions that are not only effective but also tailored to the specific needs of our clients.

I’m most proud of the impact I’ve been able to make for our clients. Seeing their businesses thrive and grow as a result of our efforts is incredibly rewarding. Whether it’s helping a restaurant build their online presence or launching a successful marketing campaign for a medical practice, every success story fuels my passion and drive to keep pushing boundaries.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want them to know that Sage Marketing and Media is more than just a marketing agency. We’re a team of passionate professionals who are dedicated to helping businesses grow. With our expertise, creativity, and unwavering commitment to excellence, we’re here to empower our clients to achieve their goals and make a lasting impact in the business world.

Lastly, the name of the company stems from how sage symbolizes clarity and is known to increase spiritual awareness. At Sage Marketing & Media, we practice the belief that everyone needs to grow their online presence in todays digital world and we provide more clarity for each brand.

Let’s Sage your brand.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Funding my business, Sage Marketing and Media, was entirely self-funded. I carefully evaluated my personal finances and savings to determine the initial capital needed. This involved making sacrifices and prioritizing business goals over personal expenditures. While self-funding presented challenges, it also provided autonomy and allowed for quick decision-making. Overall, it was a crucial step towards launching and sustaining the business.

Any advice for managing a team?

Here is some advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale:

Communication: Keep channels open, transparent, and frequent. Allow your staff to feel like a friend, but not too close!

Lead by example: Demonstrate the values and work ethic you expect from your team.

Foster collaboration: Encourage teamwork and idea-sharing.

Provide support: Equip your team with necessary resources and offer mentorship.

Recognize achievements: Celebrate successes and show appreciation for hard work. A little gift-giving or incentive goes a long way in motivating staff to keep on doing their best work!

Encourage work-life balance: Support personal well-being and offer flexible arrangements. Gym is important to me, so I tell my team to always take fitness and wellness breaks when appropriate.

Address conflicts promptly: Deal with issues openly and constructively. An open door policy has helped me. Don’t ever let something brew.

Solicit feedback: Listen to your team and act on their suggestions for improvement. Ask for their input even if you won’t use it, it still makes them feel important.

Implementing these strategies can help create a positive work environment and keep morale high among your team members. (I also burn sage, lol.)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sagemarketingandmedia.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sagemarketingandmedia?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087224474225&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/61213346/admin/feed/posts/
• Other: sagemarketingandmedia.com/link-in-bio-mono

Image Credits
Brooke Vande Zande Photography https://www.instagram.com/brooklyn_photo/?hl=en