Full name?: Clarisa Ramirez
Position / Job title?: Principal of Small Coffee.
I’m essentially a “solopreneur” publicist and marketing consultant.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I changed my mind a lot, but I always wanted to do something creative. I remember wanting to be a clown when I was six years old because I wanted to make people laugh.
Fast-forward several years/decades. How did you land (or create) your current position?
I have really manifested what I do. I studied journalism, which eventually led me to a social media management job for a large nonprofit. I had always blogged and freelanced for other people over the years, but there was definitely a part of me that wanted to have my own business. I read an article about food publicists back in April 2013, around the time I was thinking about leaving my job in Chicago to move to Austin, and I told my boss that I was going to be a food publicist. I wasn’t even that serious about doing it; I just didn’t have an answer for her. But that’s totally what I do now! I came to Austin and, after about 18 months, I cultivated a large network of people through freelancing and eventually landed an ice cream client, a small restaurant, and a chocolatier, as well as other lifestyle brands.
Did you have to take on internships to get there? How important in general, do you think, are internships?
Internships are definitely important. I had three while I was in undergrad and another while I was in grad school. With every internship, I learned real-world experience that my classes didn’t teach me, and I expanded my network. Also, a few freelance gigs came out of that – and I still pitch some of the people I worked with at those publications. Who you know is everything.
Tell us what a typical work day looks like for you. What is your job REALLY like, both the glamorous and not-so-glamorous parts?
Wake up at 7:30 or 8 am, drink some coffee and make a light breakfast, which is usually oatmeal or toast, and check the social media accounts I manage. I work from home but I still adhere to the hours I had at my previous full-time job: I’m at my desk at 8:30 am and I usually work until about 6 or 7 pm—or as late as 11 pm, but I try not to work past 9:30 pm most nights. I use my calendar to manage deadlines and to-dos, so checking that is the first thing I do before getting into emails. When I’m not writing press releases, emails, pitches, blogs, newsletters, doing administrative tasks, making phone calls or designing flyers, I’m meeting with my clients. I usually meet them at their office at around 10 am, and sometimes I’ll have deliveries to make on their behalf. I try not to eat out for lunch or dinner unless it’s at a client venue, and I’m usually taking photos of their dishes for social media. I have a photographer friend who likes to call me in the afternoon, at around 3 or 4 pm. Since I work alone, I consider this my “water cooler” break—so, I’ll chat with her for about 15 minutes while making a cup of coffee. Some afternoons and mornings include coffees with other entrepreneurs and contractors who want to collaborate. Sometimes those meetings don’t manifest into anything, but several of them can lead to getting new clients, favors or collaborations. I’m the Chair of the Girls Empowerment Network’s GENthusiast Society, a young professionals group that raises money for the nonprofit, so sometimes I have evening meetings I’m obligated to attend. If my evening is free, it’s spent eating dinner with my husband. My day usually ends at midnight and I start all over again.
What is the biggest career mistake you’ve ever made?
Not taking more business classes in college. I’ve had to pick up skills, such as bookkeeping, along the way.
What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to other career-minded women?
Find ways to stay financially organized, even if it means paying someone to do that for you. The best advice I received from a mentor was to invest some money into my own business by saving for professional development events/workshops.
Let’s talk about work/life balance. What does that mean to you? Is it important?
Work/life balance means inserting as much fun into my life as I can every day while still getting my work done. I love working and I don’t have a problem working long hours, but what motivates me is everything I do that’s NOT in front of my computer. I’m an extrovert, so if I’m not making time to visit with people then I’m not energized and having fun—and I’m not doing a good job. Getting paid to meet with people—whether it’s journalists who are interviewing my clients or with business owners my clients decide to collaborate with— is what I enjoy the most about my job
On that note, do you think women can have it all? Both the baller career, and the happy family?
I have chosen not to have children because I don’t think it’s possible to have a baller career and a happy family during the first five years of a child’s life. Luckily, my husband is on board. That being said, I have an immense respect for mothers who try to have it all.
If you could look into a crystal ball and see 20 years into your future, what would you want to see?
Two years ago I tried doing a group exercise where I meditated and tried looking 15 years into the future, and what I saw was my husband and I living in this beautiful, sun-lit home on a mountain near the sea. It had a great kitchen, and we had two dogs—and some young boy was in there. Maybe he’ll be our nephew or something! As far as my career goes, I’d like to sell my business by then!
Do you have any career role models? Who are they?
My grandma is my biggest role model. She and my grandfather were entrepreneurs and co-owned a successful business for about three decades. I admire her hard work and tenacity. She told me to never look back; just keep looking forward. I think about that a lot.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever received – career-related or otherwise?
Be communicative and responsive with everyone you work with.
Parents love to say, “just wait ’til you have to face the real world…” When you were in college or high school, what did you think the “real world” looked like? What is the difference between what you thought and reality?
I think “the real world” is constantly changing. My parent’s “real world” was having a job at a corporation that has full benefits. I thought that was what my life was going to be about but I’ve never done that. I’ve worked for non-profits, state agencies and for myself. My folks still don’t quite understand what I do.
Should you work for the money, or do what you love?
If you don’t love what you do then you aren’t truly living your life. If what you love to do pays then you’ve found that sweet spot, because you need money! Experience is more important to me than money, so having a job that excites me is what makes not cashing out worth it—for now.
How important is money to you when considering a job?
Somewhat important. If you are good at what you do then you’ll eventually make more. Owning your own business is a long game and everyone’s got to start somewhere.
What is the single most important factor of a job?
Being creative. Taking my clients outside the box and pitching interesting ideas has taken them further than if they would’ve stayed on the tried-and-true path.
If you were a millionaire and didn’t have to work, would you? (Be honest.)
I would work a little bit. I’d probably invest that money in buying companies I believed in and show up for high-level meetings
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