Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Hernandez.
Hi Samantha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The beginning: My story is a little crazy and all over the place. I grew up a bit everywhere—I moved to 12 different schools in 12 different years. I was raised around good people, and my mother instilled in me a good sense of what was wrong and right. We don’t lie, steal, or cheat. You do the right thing even when it is hard. Most of my time was spent crossing between a suburb right outside of Los Angeles, California, and the Rio Grande Valley, TX. Being exposed to culture shock has been one of my greatest strengths. I knew limitations were dictated by who and what you thought was around. Mainly, I lived in CA. Living so close to LA, fame seemed out of reach throughout my teen years.
I wanted it all. I wanted to act, sing, and dance, even though I wasn’t great at anything. I knew I was destined to be seen or created for millions of people. It was an innate feeling because my mom and stepdad would laugh it off and play into it because they thought it was cute. Both of my parents didn’t have a lot of money, but I was able to get what I needed. My mom cared for me, and my dad supported me from Texas the best he could. Though we grew up in the lower middle class, I was exposed to other family members having decent lives. My uncle is a very successful lawyer but didn’t even go to law school. He did it the Kim Kardashian way. I was taught I could do anything I wanted to. I just needed to find what I loved and stick to it. I have always been an outside-of-the-box thinker. During high school, I questioned why everyone was fighting for their lives to get into college when no one truly enjoyed school. I also innately knew that I would not be attending, and it wouldn’t be beneficial if I did. Spoiler alert: I was right.
Socials: First, it was Instagram. I remember seeing celebrities’ real lives being posted and falling in love with the fact that I could see into their lives like that—it made me feel a part of their lives. As a 12-year-old girl, it was possibly the coolest feeling ever, especially because it was new to everyone! Next was Tumblr. I would post quotes. I remember going “viral” for the first time—a quote I had written got 838. I can’t remember if it was likes or reposts, but I remember the number. I couldn’t believe that my dream of being seen had happened, and though it was only 838 people, it was still 838 people.
Had I even met 838 people in my life? I set my eye on being a YouTuber next. From 16 to 20, I was focused on learning how to work a camera and edit on iMovie, making little vlogs here and there with my best friend Parker, who had a similar dream. I dropped out of high school. Fast forward a couple of years later, I started working with my mom at the same restaurant she was working at—Sapphire. I worked on my customer service skills so hard for 7 years. Sapphire helped me to perfect them. I had my mom and pretty much all the adults rooting for me. I was allowed to run Sapphire’s social media; this high-end restaurant in Laguna Beach wanted me to do their social media. Looking back, I realize no one else wanted to do it, and they didn’t pay me for it, but I was making perfect money and loved that place like a second home, so I didn’t care. However, there were only so many “good job, we appreciate your service, and here is an extra $100” that would fulfill me. The Laguna Beach culture taught me I have a good sense of quality and luxury, from clothes to what we eat. I like nice stuff. I know nice stuff. I realized long ago I would not be the next Disney sensation, but I hadn’t let go of my dream of being seen.
At the same time, I started working at Sapphire, I discovered spirituality. I became immersed in crystals, tarot, and then astrology. My parents told me I needed to enroll in school, even if it was a couple of classes, so I did. I attended community college and had those college classes count for the rest of my high school. I remember feeling scammed by the system. I didn’t have to go to high school; instead, I could’ve just gone to college and finished in 1/3 of the time. I couldn’t understand why no one understood why our system was so messed up. Even I, someone who dropped out, could see that the system was messed up. Why couldn’t the higher-ups, colleges, parents, schools, etc.? The system was broken. All while at Sapphire, I felt needed and appreciated, and the money was great. I was making more than most of my friends with degrees. I was grateful! But boy, was I not fulfilled. This was when I lost all trust in “what you’re supposed to do.” If you’re a good person and do what you love, things will happen for you, and I still operate by that today. I, however, was growing tired of the money, routine, and, frankly, California.
The hard: Feeling unfulfilled In 2021, I decided to pack two suitcases and move into a spare room my dad, his wife, and my new baby sister had in San Antonio, TX. I had partially lived here, but it was a new world post-covid. I would try to live an adult life in San Antonio for at least 6 months. At that time, I didn’t know what I was doing consciously. I innately knew that this was what I needed to do. And guess what? I was right. I got to San Antonio in the summer of 2021. I had no friends so that I would post videos on TikTok about my spiritual experiences and astrology. I had gained 800k views on my 3rd video. Was I being seen for real this time?
I kept working to gain followers and struggled with sticking to a posting schedule, but I knew this would pay off. Through many serving jobs, I was offered several opportunities to run social media for different restaurants for no money. I took them because it was all I had—slowly getting offered brand deals. I knew I needed to make more money, so I started leasing apartments. I could sell and run an Instagram professionally! I had a different boyfriend, job, and home from one week to the next. My new boyfriend and I moved into the apartment I worked at. Everything was going well. Unfortunately, things took a turn shortly after. I was trapped. I would get bullied constantly by one of my higher-ups for 8 months; I would come home crying almost every day. Logan, my boyfriend, and Maya, my best friend, were some of the best people to have around; at this point, I was made to feel like I was crazy, and Logan and Maya said even if you are, we love you, but you’re not. I was stuck in this job and stuck in this lease. I was so miserable I couldn’t even think about social media.
Any amount of views didn’t feel like it used to. To escape that reality, I started doing markets with astrology. I made a little extra cash and got to be around good people. Shoutout to Beauty Haus Markets for providing a community that spoke to me and inspired me. With Maya living in Austin and Logan working a lot on my opposite schedule, astrology, and spirituality are just about the only things I have. This was my first taste of making money alone, not through a job. Everyone told me I was doing a great job at this leasing job. I kept my struggles to myself. I hated the job, and I felt so alone. Why did I feel awful inside if I was doing a good job? Why did I feel like I’d be happier doing anything else? I was being told to sell, sell, sell, but also, the tools to do great were being withheld by one of my higher-ups. The apartments sucked and were stealing money from the people living there. Again, I realized the system is broken, no matter how big or small. What was I made for? I could sell and get views, but I didn’t want to do it for anyone else, especially for horrible people.
While Logan, my boyfriend, was making the least he had made in his cooking career, we moved. I got the courage to leave that job. My bully at the former apartment hit us with a huge move-out bill (she was in charge of billing) when we were probably in the worst position to be hit. Soon, I was offered my first opportunity to run social media and get paid. I was offered half my leasing salary to work 60 hours a week, but I was 1099, so the closest to no boss for a local business, and I’d do it if it meant I’d be happier for it. It was okay for a couple of months, but I was being pushed to my limit—all for 600 dollars a week. I was working the job of 4 people and doing it well. Ultimately, I was being pushed to do 3 reels a day, 7 days a week, 3 videos a day, all while operating 3 different programs. I want you to know that people struggle to post on schedule 5 times a week, even 3, but it was posted or evicted. This taught me how to crank out content. I could not live on that salary; bills were piling up. I told the owner of this company I needed more money for the work I was doing OR I needed to scale back the work for less money and get a serving job on the side. He said, “I can hire another person, but why would I pay two when I could squeeze more work out of 1 for less?” Again, my theory was proven to be wrong. I wouldn’t have my system running the way all these people had. At this point, I was broken. I am a strong human; I always have been. Injustice and brokenness rub me the wrong way. At this point, I said, okay, I need to be my boss. At this point, I had gotten well over a million views and likes. I could do it 333 was born. I didn’t know how or what to do, but I’d do my best: adapt and figure it out. Still barely making ends meet, I found a new job at a restaurant that was soon opening called Renzo’s. I decided to focus on Renzo’s, this high-end Italian restaurant in San Antonio. I brought my sales and service to the table and quickly saw their need for better social media. I prepared videos to try to get my first client, AS 333; I did it! I was providing great work for my first paid client for great money. I was being paid the right amount for the work I was doing!
Was the system still functional? I got a deal worked out with a local SA social media celebrity, and overnight, I saw the restaurant’s profits double because of what I did. More money was brought to the owners, the business, and most importantly, my coworkers! I saw my work result in a coworker saying, “Wow, I can buy extra work shirts now.” Obviously, I give that credit to the celebrity, but it probably wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been in charge. I get to see my work being and creating an impact for the first time, which I had been taught not to feel since I got to Texas. I can help people by doing this! Who knows social media better than a person who has been obsessed with creating content and being seen since she was 12 years old? At this point, I had gotten millions of views; the numbers’ dopamine faded long ago, and 800k views felt fine. Nothing felt better than seeing a true impact on my community. Finally, years of hard work were paying off. I started getting noticed. People are complimenting my work, and I am getting more offers to get paid for what I love to do. I am overwhelmed but in a perfect way! I am so busy.
I had to contact Parker. Yes, Parker from CA to help me. We share a vision and love for social media. Now, I am my boss, and the system is not broken. Parker and I run 333 on good faith and the notion that doing good things will return even if it takes years. I feel seen not only by my community but by myself. The views mean nothing if there isn’t meaning behind it. I help businesses with their image on social media. No, I cannot fix the system, but I can use my system in good faith to get the eyes on the businesses that don’t have a broken system. I will always work from the heart, whether serving a table or getting a high-profile client to go viral. I will always prioritize right and fair; 333 reflects that.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been relatively smooth so far?
Financial struggles and moral struggles have been the biggest.
As you know, we’re big fans of 333 Media Marketing. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with the brand?
I own a digital marketing firm and specialize in Instagram growth. I am most proud of myself for not giving up even when the odds seemed stacked against me and always staying true to my roots.
What are your plans for the future?
I look forward to having a physical office and training others to operate on the same values. I look forward to helping a lot of other business owners!
Pricing:
- Pricing is case by case.
Contact Info:
- Website: 333mediamarketing.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/333mediasocial?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Personal Photo By: Faith Ray Boudior
