Rachel Matos shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Rachel , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day right now is a mix of strategy, client work, and the beautiful chaos of a creative household. Mornings usually start with client calls and pitches. There’s always a deck to create or refine or a brand conversation to move forward. My agency days are filled with collaborating with my team, mapping out campaigns, and making sure deliverables are on track.
But then, layered into that, life at home is buzzing. I’ve got Gen Z creatives coming in and out all day. My son and my much younger sister (who is more like a daughter) are both pursuing creative fields so I often pause work to look over a fashion project or I’m a last-minute reader for an audition.
Leading a business while keeping the household flowing is a lot to balance, but I’ve realized that the intersections actually fuel me. The same creativity and adaptability I need at home are the ones I bring into my client work. No two days ever look the same, but that’s what keeps me sharp.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Of course. I’m Rachel Matos, the founder and CEO of Refined Media Group, a marketing agency based in Pasadena. My work sits at the intersection of creativity, culture, and strategy. I started my career in the art and museum world before moving into blogging and early influencer work (back when influencers were called bloggers), which gave me a front row seat to how digital storytelling was changing the way brands connected with people. Out of that experience, I built an agency that helps companies tell stories with cultural fluency and creativity.
Refined Media Group partners with both global brands and small businesses to create marketing that feels intentional and human. Our focus is on connecting with audiences in ways that honor who they are, whether through social media, influencer collaborations, or experiential campaigns. What makes us unique is how deeply we understand community and culture, and how we bring that into every piece of work we do. Right now, we’re expanding into new creative projects and platforms that allow us to showcase the richness of diverse voices in even more impactful ways.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
The people who taught me the most about work were my family. My uncles and my mom were incredibly disciplined, hard workers who stayed consistent even in times of adversity. Sometimes that discipline felt like too much, but it shaped how I understood responsibility. It took me some time to figure out how to carry that into a creative field, where productivity doesn’t always look like a rigid schedule.
Growing up in a family where productivity was simply a way of life had the biggest influence on me. Even the women who focused on homemaking approached it with the same sense of pride and dedication. I still remember my aunt having dinner prepared before noon and the house perfectly in order, which showed me that work can also be an expression of love and care.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I don’t think there was one single moment when I stopped hiding my pain and started using it as power. It’s something I’m still learning. Growing up in the Bronx, you couldn’t walk around vulnerable or exposing your pain. You’d be targeted or bullied. You had to be tough, and you didn’t share your dirty laundry. Those were the unspoken rules of my upbringing.
Over time, I’ve had to learn a different kind of strength. Being softer, giving myself grace, allowing space for forgiveness and healing. Those are things I’ve had to practice. With each moment of vulnerability, I discover new layers of power within myself. The tough girl I had to be is still very present in me, only now she shows up in a more discerning way. Sometimes she leads, sometimes she steps back, and in that balance I’ve found a deeper kind of strength.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say that what matters most to me is doing what you say you’re going to do. And if you can’t, then communicate. To me, it’s simple. If you’re a parent, show up for your kids. If you have a job, be on time and do your work. I’m very concrete in that way, and I think it comes from experiencing a lot of disappointment with people who couldn’t live up to the roles they stepped into.
I don’t expect perfection, and I know people make mistakes. What gets to me are the excuses. That mindset carries into how I run my agency. Our work is built on trust, deadlines, and being able to deliver what we promise clients. I think at its core, accountability matters to me because it’s about more than respect. It’s about integrity, and it’s about honoring the space you take up in other people’s lives.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I’ve come to understand is that we are meant to keep unfolding. Life doesn’t move in straight lines, and it rarely rewards staying the same. My path has moved through many seasons, like working in museums, creating art, building an agency, and focusing on my mental and physical well-being through therapy, journaling, meditation, and movement. Each chapter has stretched me in a different way and taught me that growth is less about arriving somewhere and more about continually allowing yourself to expand.
Evolution is about allowing yourself to grow into new shapes without losing the core of who you are. That understanding shapes how I live and how I lead. To me, that ongoing expansion is the real work of a lifetime, and it’s what I hope comes through in everything I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://refinedmediagroup.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/racheldmatos/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmatos/
Image Credits
No image credits to provide.
