Meet: Katrina Garnes!

Introduce yourself and profession to our readers:
I'm Katrina Garnes and I'm a Digital Marketing professional. I'm the owner of Cold Storm Media. We provide online marketing solutions and strategies for small businesses and non-profit organizations. We take a more personal approach with our clients. From branding, digital marketing strategies to graphic design and much more, on a day-to-day basis we assist businesses with creating recognizable brands.

What inspired you to pursue this area of interest?
In undergrad, I majored in Mass Communications with a focus in Television Broadcasting. I completed several internships in both radio and television. While I was in college I also established a web-based talk show on YouTube entitled What’s Going On. I started off the as the show’s host exclusively.  Being that I also wanted to gain experience in editing videos, I began editing and producing my own videos as well.  It was and still is a very informative life lesson about taking control and taking initiative.

I did everything from watching online tutorials for hours to shadowing local professionals in the craft. I made a point to work extra hard to overcome stigmas. Because video production in my then rural area consisted of mostly men, it was hard for me to be taken seriously.  I quickly learned that if no one believes in you, you have to believe in yourself. And In 2015, I believed in myself and my ability enough to officially launch Cold Storm Media as a full digital marketing company and the rest is history in the making. 

What advice would you share with those interested in a similar pursuit?
Work hard because there aren't any short cuts to success. Don't give up and despite naysayers or roadblocks stay consistent and you'll persevere. 

Discuss a professional challenge and how you overcame it:
Not every path involves a smooth journey. Sometimes going towards success is a roller coaster, but as long as you reach the end, you’ve made it. I made it to where I am by continuing to grow and kicking the ass of obstacles that come my way.

For  example, I decided to do like Lebron and take my talents to ATL where I could not only grow my business, but also grow within a new company.. In two months, all of that shattered. The new job laid me off and my business was at a stand still. I had to work two jobs to maintain my new ATL life while still trying to get my business going.

Things were harder than hard, but I eventually got an even better job. Most importantly, my business had grown to new heights, and I gained more clients than I could assist at one time.  Many people see your destination but don’t realize the road trip it took to get there.  I want people to see my story not only as a millennial, but a black woman who continues to grow to new levels within my field. “When you skip the struggle you actually choose to skip your destiny.” This hasn’t been a straight and narrow road for me but every lesson big or small has contributed to my greater purpose. I wouldn’t have changed a thing. 

What is next for your brand/business in 2017?
I look forward to expanding my brands reach to further provide my fellow millennial entrepreneurs with seeds of effective digital marketing. You'll see my team and myself providing a series of learning opportunities through workshops, webinars, digital products and additional resources.

How can readers connect with you online and through social media?
www.Katrinagarnes.com
https://www.instagram.com/katrinagarnes/
https://www.facebook.com/katrinagarnes/