Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Micaela Barrero. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Micaela, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career
I believe that we need a mindset shift in education to prioritize practical skills and knowledge alongside theory-based classrooms. This will ensure that students can develop the necessary competencies for their future careers. It is crucial to teach critical and creative thinking and address the evolving needs and challenges of the digital era with innovative solutions.
We should address the lack of career preparation. Some students assume they will easily find a career that aligns with their skills after high school, but unfortunately, they find themselves feeling the pressure to select careers solely based on societal expectations rather than their own genuine passions. Instead, students should have access to resources that help them explore various career paths, understand the required education and skills, and develop necessary skills like finance knowledge, interviewing techniques, and networking, among others.
Mental health should be a primary focus in education. Currently, we don’t give it the importance it deserves. It is crucial to prioritize mindfulness and provide students with the tools to build self-esteem, resilience, and emotional intelligence. This will help them navigate challenges, manage stress, and maintain positive mental health.
By mastering these areas, individuals will be better prepared for the challenges they will face in life. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Let me introduce myself. My name is Micaela Barrero, and I run a studio dedicated to Graphic Design, Illustration, and Photography projects. Creativity has always been a part of who I am. I have vivid memories of constantly seeking out artistic activities as I grew up and throughout my life. The desire to bring my ideas to life and leave my unique mark on things have always been a driving force for me.
The dream of running my own business has been a constant presence in my mind. Becoming my own boss, having control over my schedule, and creating something of my own has been a goal, especially as a mother of two beautiful girls. The flexibility to be there for my children while organizing my time for work and personal growth is priceless.
I can proudly say that I am someone who loves to explore my creative skills and leverage my strengths. I always strive to exceed expectations and make my work more compelling. Having a diverse range of expertise as a designer has been advantageous for my career, as I can take on various tasks and projects.
I’m always pushing myself to reinvent and embrace new challenges. I understand that not all circumstances are ideal, but I have the confidence to overcome obstacles and achieve my goals. I take great pride in what I have accomplished thus far. I have poured an immense amount of effort into reaching where I am today. I am excited for what the future holds and eager to continue growing both professionally and personally.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
To begin with, it is vital for me to have a comprehensive understanding of the business I represent, including its mission and values. Treating each customer with respect is one of my most effective strategies for growing my clientele.
When my customers have a positive experience, they tend to share their satisfaction with their friends. Word of mouth marketing, although traditional, can lead to increased organic promotion of my brand. Additionally, I utilize powerful tools such as social media platforms, direct mail campaigns, and other common advertising channels to effectively reach my audience in the digital era.
Establishing personal relationships with my clients is another way for me to grow my clientele. As more individuals turn to small businesses for their needs, building positive client relationships helps me gain customers and grow my business. I believe that in-person interactions hold as much significance, if not more, than online interactions, particularly for small businesses like mine.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Definitely what helped me build my reputation was my reliability, professionalism, and trustworthiness. These qualities have help me to establish trust with my clients and earn their loyalty. Also providing the best service I can all the time in what my business does is one of the most effective ways to create a positive reputation among customers.
I always push myself to deliver high-quality work and provide exceptional service. With the pass of the years, I have learned that the more satisfied customers I have, the more likely they will return for future business. Transparency in everything I do also plays a vital role in building and maintaining a positive reputation and while building a reputation is important, maintaining it is equally challenging. Managing a strong reputation requires continuous effort and dedication, but it can significantly impact my success.
I also prioritize being kind and respectful to both my coworkers and clients. These actions make people feel valued and respected, leading to increased productivity and a positive work environment.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.micaelabarrero.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micaelabarrero/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micaela-barrero-a39777187/
- Behance: https://www.behance.net/micaelabarrero
Image Credits
Irene Gutierrez Mati Gutierrez