Today we’d like to introduce you to Srna Stos.
Srna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in Serbia and moved to the United States when I was two years old. Growing up, I was extremely competitive and driven, which led me to attend the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy before going on to play Division I college tennis on a full scholarship. During my time at the University of Connecticut, I served as team captain, played the No. 1 position, and graduated as one of the most decorated players in program history.
Tennis shaped the way I approach everything: discipline, resilience, leadership, and performing under pressure. After graduating, I transitioned into digital marketing and branding, where I began working for a real estate developer in South Florida. That experience introduced me to the world of luxury real estate and ultimately led me to meeting Sissy DeMaria Koehne.
Sissy saw something in me early on and gave me the opportunity to join Cultivate PR & Social Media as Social Media Director. Over the years, I grew within the company and today serve as Managing Partner and President. Together, we have significantly expanded the social media division and helped shape the digital presence of some of South Florida’s most notable luxury real estate and hospitality brands, including Faena Residences Miami, ORA by Casa Tua, Okan Tower Miami, Cassia Residences Coral Gables, The Avenue Coral Gables, and luxury builder MV Group USA led by Manny Varas.
Looking back, my journey has really been built on consistency, hard work, and relationships, from athletics to entrepreneurship to helping brands tell stories in a meaningful way.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No road to success is ever completely smooth, and I think a lot of the challenges along the way ultimately shape who you become. As a young woman working to prove herself in a highly competitive industry, there were definitely moments that tested me. But looking back, those challenges were also the moments that built the most resilience and grit.
One of the biggest things I carried with me from my tennis career into my professional career was mindset. In tennis, even after losing a match, you have to get back up, reset mentally, and prepare to win the next one. There is no room to stay stuck in disappointment for too long. That same mentality has helped me tremendously in business and leadership.
Building teams, managing clients, and navigating different personalities is never easy, but it is also one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. Every challenge has taught me something valuable, whether it was about communication, leadership, adaptability, or perseverance. I think success comes from being willing to keep evolving, keep learning, and continue showing up even when things are difficult.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Cultivate PR & Social Media, we specialize in strategic public relations, social media marketing, branding, and creative storytelling, with a strong focus on luxury real estate, hospitality, and lifestyle brands. Founded by PR powerhouse Sissy DeMaria-Koehne, the company has built a reputation for creating elevated, culturally relevant brand identities that go beyond traditional marketing.
What sets us apart is that we approach every brand and project as a complete experience. In today’s world, people connect with emotion, lifestyle, and storytelling more than ever before, and our goal is to create brands that people genuinely want to be a part of. We focus heavily on visual identity, cinematic content, social strategy, and authentic moments that build long-term brand value and connection.
As Managing Partner and President, I oversee the social media division and creative direction across many of our accounts. One of the things I am most proud of is how much we have grown both creatively and strategically over the years. We have had the opportunity to work with some of South Florida’s most recognized luxury brands and developments, including Faena Residences Miami, ORA by Casa Tua, Okan Tower Miami, Cassia Residences Coral Gables, The Avenue Coral Gables, and MV Group USA.
I think what readers should know most about our brand is that we truly care about building meaningful, lasting brands, not just creating content for the sake of content. We are very hands-on, collaborative, and intentional with every project we take on. Whether it is launching a new development, building a founder’s personal brand, or creating a digital strategy for a hospitality concept, our focus is always on creating something that feels elevated, authentic, and memorable.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
One piece of advice that has always stayed with me came from Sissy DeMaria-Koehne, who often says, “Your network is your net worth.” That mindset has shaped the way I approach both business and relationships.
I think one of the biggest mistakes people make is underestimating the value of genuine connection and community. Some of the greatest opportunities in my career came through relationships, conversations, and simply being present in the right rooms. Using your existing connections, attending events, and surrounding yourself with people from a wide variety of industries and backgrounds is incredibly valuable because you never know when those relationships may intersect or create opportunities in the future.
I also believe it is important to always show up, introduce yourself, and speak to people, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. You truly never know who will be in the room or where one conversation might lead. Networking is not just about what someone can do for you in the moment, it is about building authentic, long-term relationships over time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cultivate-pr.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cultivatepr/
