Ana Barrera shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Ana , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me right now starts early — I’m up at 4:30 AM for a workout because fitness sets the tone for my focus and energy. After that, I use the quiet hours to catch up on emails and review campaign dashboards before the rest of the world is awake. By 8 AM, the grind begins: I’m leading my team, checking in on client performance, and building out strategies that keep our ‘Done-For-You’ marketing model running smoothly. The day is usually a mix of client calls, ad campaign adjustments, and team collaboration. It’s a busy pace, but starting early gives me the edge to stay disciplined and make sure both my clients and my team are supported.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Ana Barrera, and I’m the Founder & CEO of Succession Marketing, a results-driven digital marketing agency based here in Miami. We specialize in helping storefront service businesses — like insurance agents, mortgage brokers, and home service companies — grow through our Done-For-You marketing model.
What makes us unique is that we don’t just run ads or post content; we build complete growth systems that combine Google Ads, Local SEO, reputation management, and social media into one seamless strategy. Our mission is to take marketing off our clients’ plate so they can focus on running their business while we focus on bringing them qualified leads.
Succession Marketing was born from my desire to bridge the gap between corporate-style marketing strategies and small business owners who deserve the same level of execution. Right now, we’re focused on scaling our Done-For-You model for insurance agencies nationwide, making sure they not only get seen but actually convert leads into revenue. For me, it’s about impact — helping businesses grow smarter, not harder.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that has most shaped how I see myself is the one I have with my mother. She showed me what strength, resilience, and sacrifice look like in action. Watching her balance family, hard work, and endless challenges taught me that success isn’t just about what you achieve, it’s about how you carry yourself while achieving it.
Her example instilled in me a strong sense of discipline, grit, and gratitude – values that guide how I lead my business and my team today. Whenever I’m faced with a tough decision or a moment of doubt, I think back to the lessons my mother modeled, and it gives me the confidence to keep moving forward.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: trust yourself more and stop doubting your voice. Every challenge, every detour, and every late night is shaping you into the leader you’re meant to be. You don’t have to have it all figured out right away — just stay disciplined, stay kind to yourself, and keep moving forward. The things that feel overwhelming now will one day become your greatest strengths.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
In marketing, there’s always something new — a platform, a tactic, a trend. The way I differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts is by asking two questions: Does this solve a core problem for businesses? and Will this still matter in five years?
A fad usually creates buzz but fades when it doesn’t drive long-term value or measurable results. Foundational shifts — like the rise of Google Ads, local SEO, or AI-driven tools — fundamentally change how consumers behave and how businesses must show up to reach them.
At Succession Marketing, I stay curious and experiment with trends, but I focus our core strategies on proven, scalable systems. That’s how we protect our clients: we’re agile enough to test what’s new, but disciplined enough to double down only on what truly drives growth.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I understand deeply that most people don’t is that marketing isn’t about being everywhere — it’s about being in the right place with the right message at the right time. A lot of business owners think they need to chase every platform, every trend, every shiny object. But what truly matters is building systems that connect with your ideal customer consistently.
I’ve learned that growth comes from alignment — aligning your ads, your local presence, your reviews, and your brand story so they all work together. Most people see marketing as fragmented; I see it as an ecosystem. When everything is connected, that’s when a business stops chasing leads and starts attracting them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.successionmarketing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/successionmarketing/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anabarrerams/
Image Credits
Image 1 – 5 Ixamar Palumbo
