Meet Silvana Massolo. The Bloom Agency’s CEO and Strategy Director. Silvana has over 16 years of experience working for Fortune 100, Fortune 500, and small businesses in both the general market and the Hispanic market. Her expertise lies in developing strategies to help bring the campaign’s message to life within the social media space, while simultaneously considering all consumer touch-points, on and off the digital screen. She has worked at award-winning agencies such as Alma DDB, No box, Inspire, and MARCA Miami. During her time in the industry, she fueled and fostered the growth of 20+ brands in categories such as automotive, travel, banking, healthcare, and others. Some of the brands worked on were: Kia, State Farm, PNC Bank, Rosetta Stone, Lexus, Copa Airlines, and Dallas Water Utilities.
Tell us about your childhood and where you grew up
I was born in Lima, Perú, and raised in Miami, FL. I was 11 when my family and I moved to the U.S. I knew this would be our new life so I proceeded to adapt and take care of my younger brother before and after school as my parents left to work early and usually arrived after we would arrive from school. My mom would leave us our food served and ready to microwave. It was all very organized. I will never forget feeling “lost” in a language I didn’t grasp, yet. Fast forward, I dedicated my career to the Hispanic market. To help brands understand the mindset of an immigrant and first generation so they may give them what they need and want. I began to translate for my dad and for strangers who I saw struggling when communicating. I felt useful. I learned I was very good at communicating and connecting with people – and made it my purpose. Nothing fills me with more joy than to be able to help someone or a business Bloom.
How did you get started as an entrepreneur?
I always had a knack for it. When we moved from Lima I sold as much as I could to my friends. Mostly board games and stickers. As I grew up, I always kept an eye on the business owner and those in leadership positions… I even gave Mary Kay a shot in the process of discovering my voice as an entrepreneur. I learned that to succeed as an entrepreneur you have to go all in. You have to be ready to let go of the shore and swim. There will be days when you’ll feel tired and you must rest. So long as you get back up and keep swimming, even when you feel like you’re swimming upstream – the prize is always worth it. Eventually, after more than 15 years of experience, after becoming an agency partner and managing director for one of the biggest auto brands I decided it was time. It was my time. I let go of the shore and began to swim. It’s been two years since becoming a full-time entrepreneur – and I love it.
What is one business lesson you would tell a startup founder?
Hire as soon as you can. Freelancers can take over tasks that may take you too long to complete or that you simply don’t enjoy as much. You’ll be helping others and it will free up time for yourself to do what you love and continue to grow your business.
