Hidden Gems: Meet Julia Sommer Ramirez of Hello Marketing Inc.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Sommer Ramirez.

Julia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I founded Hello Marketing in 2014 after life handed me an unexpected curveball: a sudden layoff at a time when I had two young children at home and was the primary earner for my family. With no safety net, I chose to bet on myself—and I’ve never looked back. What began as a leap born of necessity has grown into a thriving agency with offices in Los Angeles and Portland. That experience taught me that adversity, while daunting, can also be the most powerful catalyst for creativity. Today, Hello Marketing demonstrates that bold ideas and measurable results can coexist—and that you don’t have to sacrifice a personal touch to achieve big impact.

My path into marketing was far from traditional. I began as a working actor and musician, with advertising as my “day job.” Over time, I realized I was more energized by what happened behind the camera than in front of it—shaping narratives, developing strategies, crafting words, and orchestrating productions. By then, I had already been working at ad agencies and in television, and I knew I had found my place. I made the decision to pursue this path fully, and I’ve never looked back. Along the way, I also ran small businesses and pursued ventures in handbag and apparel design, experiences that gave me a firsthand appreciation for the grit, adaptability, and persistence it takes to build something from the ground up. That entrepreneurial journey is what connects me so deeply to the startups and small businesses I serve today.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of leading campaigns for global brands including Skechers, Sony Pictures, Evian, General Motors, Allstate, Red Bull, KFC, and Nestlé. Yet, some of my most meaningful work has been helping small and mid-size businesses define their voice, expand their presence, and step into their next chapter with confidence. For me, this work isn’t just about crafting campaigns—it’s about fueling growth, providing clarity, and helping people see their vision take shape in ways that are both strategic and inspiring.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
On a personal note, being a working mother has shaped me as much as any professional experience. I’ve taken calls from carpool lanes, built campaigns after bedtime, and balanced boardrooms with classrooms—sometimes all in one day. Those years taught me how to lead with empathy, resilience, and clarity. They also showed my children what dedication looks like—how hard work and perseverance can carry you through uncertainty and open new doors. That lesson has been as important for them as it has been for me.

Now, as a single woman with older children and more space to focus, I bring that same energy, but with even more creativity and drive. I truly love this work. Helping others articulate their vision, grow their brands, and see results isn’t just fulfilling—it’s personal.

At the end of the day, I don’t take any of this for granted. It’s a privilege to do what I love alongside people who inspire me. I show up with strategic insight, creative firepower, and an unwavering commitment to the people and stories behind every brand.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Hello Marketing, we combine the capabilities of a large agency with the agility of a boutique. We craft brand stories that are bold, strategic, and enduring—whether through branding, web design, social media, public relations, video production, or events. In many cases, I step in as a fractional Chief Marketing Officer, helping clients see the entire landscape and align every creative decision with their broader objectives. Over the years, I’ve also built a trusted network of specialists—designers, copywriters, photographers, videographers, editors and media professionals—ensuring that each project has the right expertise and energy behind it.

Although our work spans a wide range of industries, we have developed particular depth in hospitality and fine dining, health and wellness, apparel, entertainment, real estate and the insurance industry.
This focus enables us to quickly understand a client’s goals, challenges, and opportunities, while also providing the perspective to identify gaps they may not have considered. By drawing on strategies that have proven successful in one sector and adapting them to another, we’re able to offer fresh solutions that drive growth. It’s this balance of breadth and specialization that allows us to deliver campaigns that are both immediately relevant and uniquely effective.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Our philosophy is straightforward: listen intently, think strategically, and execute with rigor. Marketing is never static—the platforms, technologies, and cultural currents are in constant flux. By remaining inquisitive, grounding our work in research, and drawing on decades of multidisciplinary experience, we design strategies that are not only imaginative, but also relevant, durable, impactful and even fun.

Equally essential is listening inward—whether to intuition, to my own team, or to the client teams with whom we collaborate. By discerning individual strengths and areas for development, we can delegate with purpose, close operational gaps, and identify opportunities for growth. This practice not only strengthens the work itself but also cultivates confidence, develops leaders, and elevates the way both our team and our clients’ teams function. It is through this dual commitment—strategic acuity and human understanding—that we build not just stronger campaigns, but more resilient businesses.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hellomarketinginc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketinghello/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-sommer-ramirez-12302737/

Image Credits
Sarah Waters Photography, Jason Flynn Photography, Ewa Barglicka, JP Pierce Photography, Julia Sommer Ramirez