Hi, I’m Ramiro Martinez.

And yes, if the name didn’t already give it away, I come from a loud, colorful, muy sabroso cultural background. I was born and raised in the vibrant city of Miami, raised by two immigrant parents, one from Nicaragua, the other from Cuba, and let’s just say, there was never a dull moment growing up.

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I was the kind of kid who treated the world like one big playground. Always moving. Always curious. Always asking a lot of questions. (If you ask my mom, of the four kids she raised, I was the “spirited one”… which is a very kind way of saying I was a total handful.)

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School? Whew. Not my happy place. Sitting still for hours, raising my hand just to speak? Torture. I had too much energy, too many thoughts, and honestly, too much charm to be boxed in like that.

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Middle and high school weren’t exactly a smooth ride either. I worked hard, but I struggled. It was frustrating to feel like I was putting in more effort than others but still falling short. I spent a lot of time comparing myself and doubting myself. But over time, I started to flip the script, leaning into my strengths, getting curious about my weaknesses, and figuring out where I shine.

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One thing about me? If something piques my interest, I go all in. I’ve always had a wild imagination and a deep creative streak.

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Take this: as a kid, I was obsessed with American history and, more specifically military history. I used to dress in full military gear (don’t ask me how I got it) and run around the yard acting out intense battle scenes. I was so committed to the bit that I voluntarily signed up for a summer military academy.

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Spoiler alert: it was not as fun as playing pretend in the backyard.

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Then came college. Suddenly, the pressure hit: “What do you want to do with your life?”

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People always told me I should be a stand-up comedian or actor and that I had a knack for impressions and could make just about anyone laugh. So I thought, why not? I signed up for a 10-week acting intensive at NYU.

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It was way out of my comfort zone. I met people from all walks of life. It pushed me, challenged me, and showed me a whole new world. While I ultimately realized that acting wasn’t the path for me, the experience cracked something open in me. It gave me confidence, perspective, and a deeper understanding of myself.

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Another summer, I pivoted again, this time becoming the assistant football coach for my old high school team. I mostly did it to give back to the place that gave me so much. But what I didn’t expect? How much I’d grow. Coaching taught me I’m a natural communicator, someone who can connect and motivate. It showed me the power of presence, of listening, of showing up for others.

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And that’s kind of been the theme of my journey: jumping into things, trying them on, learning who I am through the experience.

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I used to think I “wasted” my summers exploring random interests that didn’t lead to a career. But now? I see them for what they were, stepping stones. Each one shaped me. Molded me. Gave me tools, stories, and a better understanding of who I am and who I’m becoming.

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What I didn’t realize back then, but can clearly see now, is that all of those experiences were pointing me toward something bigger.

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Every summer I spent diving into new interests, every unexpected pivot, every moment of doubt and discovery… it was all shaping the way I see the world. I found that what truly lights me up is storytelling, finding the heartbeat behind an idea, a person, a brand, and bringing it to life in a way that resonates.

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I’m energized by connection. By tapping into culture. By thinking differently, creatively, and sometimes a little off-the-wall. I love asking, “What if we did it this way?” and watching that idea take shape.

 

That curiosity, that creative spirit, that’s what led me to advertising.

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