"I truly believe that by being YOURSELF you become your BEST asset!" ~Citi Medina
Following the exciting launch of Citi Medina's website for his brand (
www.citimedina.com), I had the opportunity to discuss his vision for his company, his inspiration and what keeps him constantly evolving. Citi Medina is so full of inspiration and motivation that any creative entrepreneur can learn from.
LOTA-N-C: The new website looks
phenomenal. I feel like I understand the brand and your mission so much
more now. What led to the evolution?
Citi Medina: I am so over the
moon that you love it! The new site
citimedina.com was definitely an
ever-evolving entity. When I began this separate brand, it was to
separate my speaking engagements and provide resources to other
entrepreneurs and also convey my expertise in creative strategies from
MEDINA = CITI which was my design haus. I wanted to share the realities
of owning a business and what inspires me with others and the response
has been phenomenal. I believe individual style and personality are your
best assets in being successful.
Citimedina.com is my offering of
everything that I can to everyone. It’s all about sharing my passions.
MEDINA
= CITI Design Haus (
www.medinaciti.com), is my NJ-based design haus which has
and always will be my first love. Crafting custom visuals and forming
creative strategies with my team is everything to me. We have such a
diverse client base and every day is new and exciting. In 2014, we have
so many new projects and growing the company out even more.
LOTA-N-C: What drives you? We see the
luxe living, fun times with your loved ones, and ambition...what would
you like your legacy to be once it’s all said and done?
Citi Medina: This is a great question that I have to answer in two parts.
What
drives me has always been a deep-rooted need to be successful on my own
terms, for my talent and my work. I began my journey with humble means
and I have a determination that has always carried me through life. I’ve
always felt the need to be creative in all facets of my life; that I
have to express my point of view. It is as essential to me as air.
What
I want my legacy to be in the end is that I set out to create something
that would stand the test of time. My new platform www.citimedina is an
outlet to show others they can do it. It provides resources for success
and gives a behind the scenes look past the glamour, parties and luxe
appointments. I want it to grow into a brand that people can go to for
inspiration and support. MEDINA = CITI, I hope, will connect a city of
creativity, tech and forward thinkers. My design haus will be an
institution that continues to grow and be helmed by a MEDINA to continue
the legacy.
LOTA-N-C: After reading your blog post, "You Can't Do It," it appears to
come from such an honest place. But because you are full of
self-acceptance, achievements and inspiration, I wonder have you ever
experienced anyone trying to convince you that you wouldn't/couldn't be
as successful as you are? And if so, how did you overcome it?
Citi Medina: I
think in the early onset of starting my design haus MEDINA = CITI,
there were many negative comments about a young, minority Creative
Director. I didn’t listen to them. I wanted to merge tech and style
together to create a Design agency that would really bond with clients
and create a high-end experience through the whole process. Many people
whom I’ve worked with or for me were completely not supportive of the
initiative.
In the end you have to sit with yourself. I
constantly say this to aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals. No
matter the supporters that this dream and this road will be walked on by
you alone, by your passion and commitment. The blood sweat and tears
start and end with you, so your support system will be inspired by how
hard you are working and your positive results will be directly
reflected by your efforts.
LOTA-N-C: You have worked with fashion brands I know and love. Is the fashion world your primary focus? What qualities embody the ideal CitiMedina client?
Citi Medina: I’d love to clarify the two brands. CITI
MEDINA is a lifestyle brand based entirely on me. People can go to
citimedina.com for resources, inspiration and behind the scenes access
to my world. I show you my passions and life for the first time.
Citi
Medina was crafted to show the world who I am. So many times I am asked
about my clothing style, my musical loves and what my everyday looks
like. I am often booked by SBA, Rutgers or corporations to give
workshops and speak on entrepreneurship, social media, technology and
design. With the growth of interest, I wanted to relaunch citimedina.com
to be the “go to” platform for my audience.
MEDINA =
CITI Design Haus was formed in 2008 to craft custom visual solutions for
discerning brands. We offer everything in Creative and Web development,
to Digital Marketing and Social Media strategies. My team crafts Video
Productions and Photography shoots as well. I am charged with leading
creative strategies whether campaigns, crisis moments or creative
production.
These two brands are based on my ideologies
and workflow; on my vision and 14 years of professional experience. They
are separate worlds that are all related to me and I love them both so
much.
I work in fashion and entertainment, which was
essentially my background when I started as a designer some time ago.
However, our primary focus is clients and companies who want to push the
envelope and are willing to commit to the process. We have worked with
so many different industry clients (corporate communications, fashion,
technology firms, not for profit, etc.) we only require that they trust
in us and allow the process to build a great relationship and ultimately
a beautiful end result.
LOTA-N-C: What words of encouragement can you give an aspiring creative wanting to make it in this field,
but has no personal role model(s) to emulate?
Citi Medina: "Keep
your passion alive." I cannot stress this enough. I believe that this
can carry you through it all. In this age of internet access, ignorance
is a choice, so stay passionate, read on it, plan, day dream it and act
on it! Passion can fuel you when you are sacrificing. Passion can give
you focus. I know it is the driving force in my life, so I can
definitely relate to the sentiment.
Learn more from this brilliant, creative mind at CitiMedina.com.
