Meet Christena Garduno

We recently connected with Christena Garduno and have shared our conversation below.

Christena , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Resilience on a personal level is a prerequisite for effective leadership in challenging circumstances, and mine comes from multiple life experiences throughout my career. I make self-care a priority by engaging in practices like exercise and meditation that keep me both physically and psychologically fit, while giving me a safe and consistent space outside of work and any trying situations.

It’s also essential to have a network of people I can talk openly about difficulties with, be it mentors, family or friends. Having a growth mentality is really helpful for building resilience; instead of seeing challenges as insurmountable barriers, I see them as chances to learn and develop. This kind of thinking helps me stay upbeat and motivated. To make sure I’m not overburdened, I also assign tasks to my capable team members. In the end, resilience training is about realizing the value of balance in both personal and professional spheres and persistently attempting to preserve that equilibrium.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a multi entrepreneur in the Greater Dallas area, with businesses that includes 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 a cancer survivor myself, I have a passion for helping others as best I can, and I am always looking for new opportunities to do so. I got into the industry based on passion for media and marketing that I gained shortly after completing my accounting degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. The dynamic world of advertising and media stood out to me instantly, and while it has changed greatly since I started nearly 20 years ago, my passion for the industry led me down 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 through a 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, and over the years Media Culture quickly 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.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Resilience, adaptability, and effective communication.

Building resilience in an organization is essential for navigating the inevitable challenges that businesses face. Resilience should be cultivated as a part of the company’s culture, starting from the leadership, and permeating throughout all levels.

Encouraging adaptability, resourcefulness and a positive outlook creates an environment where employees are better equipped to handle setbacks. It’s crucial to invest in training and development, providing opportunities for your team to develop resilience skills. This may include stress management workshops, leadership training and programs focused on emotional intelligence. Equipping your team with these tools enhances their ability to weather storms and emerge stronger.

Effective communication is fundamental. During times of crisis or uncertainty, CEOs should be transparent and approachable, fostering open dialogue and actively listening to employees’ concerns and ideas. Setting clear, achievable goals and promoting work-life balance are equally important. Celebrating small wins, creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and investing in technology can all contribute to organizational resilience.

Learning from setbacks rather than dwelling on them allows your organization to grow stronger with each challenge. Resilience is an ongoing process, and when it’s embraced by everyone in the organization, it becomes a powerful asset for overcoming adversity.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

My greatest area of development and progress over the last year has been in cultivating an innovative and flexible culture inside Media Culture. As a leader, I’ve placed a high value on fostering an atmosphere that encourages innovation and gives our team the confidence to try new things and welcome change. Consequently, there has been a rise in experimentation and risk-taking, which has produced creative ideas and tactics that have advanced our organization. I’ve also concentrated on developing my resource allocation and strategic decision-making abilities to ensure we are prepared to take advantage of new chances and successfully handle obstacles. This emphasis on encouraging creativity and flexibility has been crucial to our agency’s continuous development and success.

Furthermore, I have concentrated on cultivating a more cooperative and empowered leadership approach that promotes creativity, cooperation, and talent development inside the company. This change has allowed me to assign tasks more skillfully, give my team members the freedom to own their work and foster an environment of quality and responsibility. I’ve also prioritized my growth, looking for mentoring programs and spending money on leadership courses to help me refine my abilities and remain on top of changes in a field that is changing quickly. In summary, this process of personal development has improved my efficacy as a leader and aided in the general prosperity and expansion of Media Culture.

Contact Info:

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

Image Credits

Kathy Tran