Name: Rona Mercado
Hustle: VP Marketing, Cashmere Agency (www.cashmereagency.com)
City: Los Angeles, CA
1. When I was a kid I daydreamed about...being a CIA agent (think Jennifer Garner in Alias!), one of Charlie’s Angels, part of the Fantastic Four (Sue Storm rocks!) and working at an Advertising Agency (I used to draw a lot when I was a kid...)
2. As an adult I daydream about...Hmmm...where do I start? Some days it’s about being on my own private island, other days it’s about creating something new and innovative for one of the artists or brands we are working with. Then I wake up and see how I can actually make it happen!
3. In my group of friends I'm the point person for Crisis Management, organizer of our group events or gets called to do hair and makeup. Which is ironic because I never even do my own.
4. When I was a little girl I was told that I couldn't_____bc I was a girl. Actually nothing. My parents always told me that the sky’s the limit and instilled in me to be fearless and independent and I could do whatever I put my mind to. Thanks mom and dad!
5. How did you break into your industry? Completely by default. The dot com agency I was working at went under, so for fun and to pass time while I figured out what I wanted to do next, I started working at a friend’s indie-record label to help them out . Over time, I hit my groove and turned my new passion into a full time gig, where I grew into a product manager role. In this role, eventually brands began to hit us up because they liked how we marketed our music projects and we branched out and applied the same marketing tactics for movies and brands...this was where I discovered I could get paid for my ideas and executing them! After seeing this success, I decided that this was something I wanted to do as a career, which is when I joined Ted Chung and Seung Chung to build the Cashmere Agency (formerly known as Chung and Associates). And here I am 4 years later…
6. Favorite part of what you do? Being able to work with the most creative, passionate and intelligent people in the industry, all who inspire and fascinate me every day.
7. Least favorite part of what you do? Filtering through unsolicited emails with large attachments.
8. Who do you admire in your field? Ted Chung, Seung Chung, Russell Redeaux, Ryan Ford, Constance Schwartz. These folks are not only truly good people, but they continue to challenge and motivate me, teach me to think outside of the box, and teach me how to navigate in the world of those that think inside the box.
9. Fav designers are: My top two of the moment...
Jerome Dahan for Goldsign and COH denim. He consistently produces awesome premium denim (formerly of 7FAM). I love Goldsign’s Misfit style because they are made with their patented super-stretch denim. They are sooooo comfy and feels like having sweats on. That’s how comfy they are. The best $250 you will spend on denim.
Cristofer Smith for Green Apple Active. My favorite pilates/yoga gear. Cristofer developed the first certified organic bamboo and cotton active apparel, they are unbelievably comfortable!
10. Moment your hustle pays off was/will be when:
It pays off every day. This is not a 9 to 5 job; you put in a lot of hours and work weekends and holidays, so you've got to love what you do. To be surrounded by music I love, seeing my favorite artists’ perform and being around people that are creative, is a pay off in itself.
11. My family is proud of me because...I have a knack for sailing through any kind of weather, with a smile.
