Page 19 - SDWM Amy Haber CoverGirl

Women of Distinction

er I could. That was definitely environment, her husband “I also think it is espe-
my first foray into working for strongly encouraged her to go cially important to have great
myself, working on my own. I out on her own. “It had been mentors to work beside. I was
picked up a contract position about every two years that I very lucky to have Karissa who
with a company called AMN got pushed out of my positions continues to be a great mentor,
healthcare, a big healthcare in marketing and with the last friend, and boss. I think every-
staffing company, and that con- one, my husband said, that's body should have mentors, but
tract position parlayed into a it, we're done. You're starting I feel that women especially
full-time role where I ended up your own business.” need mentors because we need
staying for about five years.” In 2018 Diana started Pet- advocates and people that
During Diana’s time there rastella Communications. The give us the confidence to be
she got married, had her name is Latin for “Rockstar,” who we are in the workplace
first baby, and completed her which Diana Jones definitely while helping to navigate the
MBA. “I went back to AMN is. “It was a little scary in the politics.
after having my first daughter, beginning but at the same time Since Diana has worked
Chloe, and she just changed extremely exciting. I picked up in several agencies I asked
my heart. I was a bit hesitant my first client rather quickly if it was better for someone
to leave her to go back to work, and then about a month later starting out to work in a small
I also found that my job had Karissa surfaced again in- boutique type agency or in one
changed, and I wasn’t as happy forming me that she had just of the larger firms? “I think
at the job as I had been.” obtained a position at Walmart a small agency is best. Espe-
It was just then that she as the VP of marketing for cially when you are younger
received a phone call from her their health and wellness and just starting out. At a
good friend and colleague Ka- business. She had a great team smaller agency, you get to have
rissa Price-Rico. She had start- working with her, but no one your hands on everything and
ed working for a new company, had experience in the area of figure out what you like best.
Intel-GE Care Innovations, healthcare. They hired Pet- I often think about the fact
that was launching a remote rastella as an outside vendor to that I went to college wanting parents and in-laws live down
patient monitoring tele-health manage a physician marketing to be a lawyer and ended up the street and her sister is just
program and Karissa knew it research project initially and in advertising. Since there are a few towns away. “I'm finding
would be a great fit for Diana. most recently, we’ve supported many different positions in that life-work balance is every-
The best part was that it was the launch of their first ever an Ad Agency, you might go thing, especially when you are
a fully remote position which private labeled analog insulin. in thinking you want to be a launching your own business.
meant she could work from So, I went in there as an agen- social media manager. Then Getting through the pandemic
home and better manage time cy, and we've just been able to you realize you hate being was rough, but we all managed
with her daughter. About a grow. Today, we support their tethered to your phone twen- to survive it and learned to
year after she started her new specialty pharmacy business, ty-four-seven, and that media work a bit differently. Spend-
job, she became pregnant with their wellness division, and we planning or the strategy side ing more time with the family
her second child and gave birth launched a wellness Wednes- is actually your strong suit. was definitely a positive aspect
to her second daughter, Leah. day newsletter program. It's I think starting at a smaller of the pandemic. It caused us
When Karissa left Care been really great and it's a great agency and honing your skill- to slow down and everyone in
Innovations Diana decided to partnership and we really feel set is the best way to go.” our industry held their breath
follow her to her new com- like a part of their team.” At Petrastella they focus for the first two weeks or so.
pany, not unlike her previous I asked Diana what advice primarily on the health and Then we just regrouped and
experiences this position only she would give to someone wellness sector. This is a broad learned how to make it all
lasted for nine months when wanting to follow in her area including not only the work.”
the company went through an footsteps. “I think that the best usual health and wellness
acquisition and restructured, place to start is to focus on products and services it can Diana and her crew at
eliminating both their roles. your writing. Write as much also be a lifestyle brand, a spa, Petrastellar work tirelessly to
Diana then spent several years as you can and get comfort- or even a gym. introduce amazing products
at a handful of start-ups and able putting words on paper, Although Diana is and services to San Diegans.
other companies. All this time putting thoughts on paper. It completely dedicated to her If you want more information
she proved herself as highly is critical in this profession. agency and the good they can about Diana and Petrastellar
adept at going out on her own It's also a confidence issue. do, there is one thing that contact her at
and picking up work when You need to be confident in she views as most important, diana@petrastellacomm.com
needed. After a short stint back your ability to communicate and that is family. She is very or by phone at 310-980-1480
into an everyday corporate effectively.” close to all of her family. Her

19