Check Out Maria Betania Fernandez’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Betania Fernandez.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I got my start in entertainment back in 2012 when Social Media was emerging. I was part of the first social media team for the Telemundo Network in Miami, where I worked for about two years. My first project was the 2012 London Olympics, and after that summer, I went on to work on primetime programming digital and social media strategy. From there, I was recruited by an agency called Tiny Horse to be their Miami office lead and consult TV networks, brands and film projects in regards to digital strategy and content. After doing about seven and a half years of agency and TV network digital media work, I realized that although I love digital and social media content, I wanted to work a lot closer to the artists and focus more on storytelling. I decided that although I was the director of the last agency I worked at I wanted to break out into freelancing and eventually build my own company exploring executive, creative, and line producing. While this decision was not financially easy it was the best decision I ever made for myself. For the past almost six years, I’ve been growing and executing amazing projects spanning commercials, music videos, documentaries, and films. I got to where I am today by never giving up and building, working arduously to continue to grow.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In the beginning it was everything but smooth, I went from having a nice weekly paycheck with benefits and being schmoozed by clients to earning a lot less money and having to pave my way alone. When I quit the agency world, I had just moved to LA, and I really had to start from ZERO. That process took a while since nobody knew me, and I had to build new relationships.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What I do is produce, which is a broad term, but in my case, I have done it all in this position. I specialize in working with the director and client to make projects happen both by giving creative input and by ensuring we stay on budget to deliver the best possible outcome. I’d say my biggest talent and what I’m known for is building amazing teams, I’m most proud of the teams I’ve built along the years and try to make every set a fun and encouraging experience. I strive for everyone to work happily and for them to feel like they are part of a family where everyone is heard and has a voice regardless of their position. I’m most proud of my ability to stay motivated and my relationships. Even when the cards are against me, in just six years, I have grown tremendously and worked on prestigious projects that people spend their entire lives chasing.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Definitely, I’d like to share that I was born in Argentina and moved to the US when I was six years old. I grew up with a single mom who worked tirelessly to ensure my sister, and I grew up in a positive and safe environment. I got into this business out of pure passion and without any contacts or financial backing. My biggest advice would be to lead with your heart and not to give up on yourself even when things aren’t supposed to go your way, and the career you are chasing seems out of reach.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @beteknows
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-b-fernandez-9b90531b/