We recently connected with Kaitlyn Landaverde and have shared our conversation below.
Kaitlyn, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
From Setbacks to Success: The Journey of a Young Entrepreneur
The first time I ever negotiated a business deal, I was 14 years old, sitting at my father’s desk, helping with bookkeeping and marketing. I didn’t realize it then, but those early experiences—watching my father run his company, learning the ropes of business, and taking on responsibilities beyond my years—were shaping me into the entrepreneur I am today.
My name is Kaitlyn Landaverde, and I am the founder of Media & MAE, a marketing and event content creation agency. At 19 years old, I’m building a business that provides marketing services to small business owners, from website development and social media management to analytics and event content creation for weddings, Sweet 16s, and grand openings. As my company has been growing, my work ethic has grown along with it—being built, tested, and strengthened through experience.
Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve faced setbacks. I’ve sent pitches that never got a response, launched projects that didn’t go as planned, and entered rooms where I was underestimated simply because of my age. But I’ve come to see those challenges not as roadblocks but as stepping stones. Each failure has taught me something new, refining my skills and reinforcing my determination.
Entrepreneurship runs in my blood. My grandfather, an immigrant from Colombia, built a business from the ground up, and my father followed in his footsteps. Growing up in that environment, I learned the value of resilience, adaptability, and the importance of connections. When I officially stepped into the marketing industry, I already had five years of experience in sales, analytics, and design. I wasn’t just passionate about marketing—I had already seen firsthand how it could help small businesses thrive.
One of the biggest hurdles I’ve faced is being a young entrepreneur. People often assume that experience only comes with age, but I’ve learned that knowledge comes from doing. In the beginning, I adopted the “fake it until you make it” mindset, but eventually, I realized I wasn’t faking it—I was learning, adapting, and growing. Work ethic, I discovered, isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about believing that I have the ability to figure it out, no matter what.
Beyond marketing, Media & MAE has become a trusted name in the wedding industry. Capturing once-in-a-lifetime moments through event content creation has allowed me to blend creativity with strategy, ensuring that every couple, business, or event host has content that truly tells their story.
I hope my journey serves as a reminder that work ethic isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build. It’s about showing up, learning from failures, and pushing forward even when the odds are stacked against you. I’m still writing my story, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My name is Kaitlyn Landaverde, and I am the owner of Media & MAE, a marketing and event content creation agency dedicated to helping small businesses elevate their brands and capturing unforgettable moments at events. Media & MAE specializes in marketing services tailored to small businesses, including social media management, website development, branding photography, and campaign coordination. On the event side, we focus on creating high-quality, engaging content for weddings, Sweet 16s, grand openings, and other special celebrations.
What makes Media & MAE special is the ability to seamlessly blend storytelling with strategy. Whether it’s helping a brand connect with its audience or ensuring a bride relives every special moment of her wedding day, my passion lies in creating content that resonates.
Beyond my business, I am currently a marketing student at the University of Delaware and serve as the webmaster for Delta Sigma Pi. I’m on track to graduate next year and am constantly working on expanding Media & MAE’s offerings. Right now, I’m excited to be building out our website to better showcase the diverse services we provide, and I’m focused on increasing our social media presence with daily posts.
I’d love for readers to check out Media & MAE and see how we can help bring their vision to life—whether it’s through marketing their business or capturing the most special moments of their events!
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?
Looking back, three key qualities and skills that have been most impactful in my journey with Media & MAE are creativity, adaptability, and strategic marketing knowledge. Creativity is essential in both marketing and event content creation, helping businesses and individuals stand out through engaging social media campaigns, branding materials, and captivating event content. Adaptability is just as crucial, as the digital landscape constantly evolves with shifting algorithms, new platforms, and changing audience behaviors. At Media & MAE, staying ahead means continuously learning and adjusting strategies to deliver the best results. Strategic marketing knowledge ties everything together—understanding how to position a brand, connect with a target audience, and leverage the right marketing channels has been invaluable. Social media, SEO, branding, and content strategy all play a role in business success. For those early in their journey, my biggest advice is to just start—take on projects, test new strategies, and refine your skills along the way. Every experience builds confidence and expertise, and success comes from consistent effort and a willingness to learn.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
One book that has played a significant role in my development is “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey. This book reshaped my mindset on productivity, leadership, and personal growth, which have all been essential in building and growing Media & MAE.
One of the most valuable lessons is the importance of being proactive—taking control of my actions and decisions rather than reacting to circumstances. In business, this means anticipating challenges, staying ahead of trends, and continuously seeking opportunities for growth. Another key habit that resonated with me is beginning with the end in mind—having a clear vision of long-term goals and aligning daily actions with that bigger picture. This has helped me structure Media & MAE with a strong brand identity and a clear direction. Lastly, putting first things first reinforced the importance of prioritization. With so many tasks in marketing and event content creation, knowing what truly moves the needle has been crucial for productivity and success.
This book has not only influenced the way I run my business but also how I approach relationships, problem-solving, and self-discipline. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to build both personal and professional effectiveness!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mediaandmae.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mediaandmae/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlyn-landaverde/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/media-and-mae-clark
Image Credits
I am the photographer behind all of these photos
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
