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“I now realize that nothing comes easy and you have to work for it.”- Julio Martinez
What’s your backstory?
I grew up in a small town called Grandview, WA. Growing up we didn’t really have much, but we always had food on the table. My mother would work long nights and come home early mornings while my father worked at a warehouse.
After middle school we moved to Kennewick, WA. I did my 4 years of high school and graduated. Soon after I studied business at Columbia Basin College, I was there for a semester then dropped out.
I hated every second of college, it just wasn’t for me. I had 2 part time jobs in the mall earning little money, I knew I had to make a change. A good friend of mine Josue Arteaga was in the PR business which I knew little about.
One day I asked him “How can I do what you do?” and he explained to me that it would take a lot of learning and work to be able to even start. I was ready to make that change. I wanted it bad, I was willing to do whatever it took just to be apart of it.
He introduced me to his friend and colleague Ulyses Osuna. I started to study him and realized he had made a name for himself in the PR world, so I knew I had to work with him. I let him know that I wanted in and I am willing to earn it. I was ready to bleed for it because I knew it was a huge opportunity.
I didn’t even care about the money because I knew if I learned enough and proved myself to him then I could get a spot on the team. Which I did. Recently I Co-Founded Press Works Media, it is a great package for people who are barely starting out or for people who simply need more press.
Can you tell me the story of your prior successes, challenges, and major responsibilities?
Graduating high school wasn’t really a big deal for me. My family on the other hand was very proud of me which made me feel good, knowing they were proud of me.
A big challenge for me was whether or not I wanted to stay in college. Eventually I made that decision and I knew I had to do something big. I couldn’t just work at the mall my whole life, I needed to do something I was passionate about that would make me happy.
I have one responsibility everyday and I hold myself accountable to it. I work as much as I can in one day because I know it will pay off. Once I started making money I thought “This is nice, but let me figure out how to make more.”
Can you tell me about a time when you almost gave up, how you felt about that, and what you did instead of giving up?
I remember when I wanted to give up and do something else because there wasn’t any more spots on the PR sales team. I am very thankful to have a friend like Josue Arteaga because he talked me out of it and told me to push even harder and work for it.
I now realize that nothing comes easy and you have to work for it. You have to really prove your worth and make a name for yourself.
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