Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Ramirez.
Catherine, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Everything started when I was 15 years old, back in Dominican Republic. A friend of mine encouraged me to take modeling classes and since I was a very shy girl, little did I know I was going to end up falling in love with this industry. I started going to castings, working in fashion shows, doing print/commercial jobs and getting to know about the pageant world. Interested enough, I got to participate in some local competitions that not only gave me a boost of self-esteem and confidence I had never felt before but also the amazing feeling of adrenaline being on a stage competing with so many wonderful girls. This made me pursue other national pageants and gave me the desire of becoming a stronger and more empowered girl.
Following my participation in Miss Dominican Republic and winning Miss Dominican Republic International, new doors opened: International Pageants. I was able to represent my country in Italy, Bahamas, Colombia, China & Indonesia, obtaining first place in this last country at the Miss Coffee International pageant. It was such an honor to carry my flag around the world and represent the culture and beauty of my country… what an unforgettable experience!
After many competitions, it was time to focus on my career in Media & Communications. I started producing and hosting my own radio show called “Mas que 2” while I continued my modeling career. It was so fun to work on radio and use my voice to express ideas and opinions among a diverse content, music, guests and people calling in to share their thoughts. Two years after being in radio, I receive an invitation to work as a TV host for the show “De Lujo”. It was a one of a kind show focused on exposing a luxurious life and travel destinations.
Later when all my contracts with media and modeling ended, I found myself with the thirst of wanting more from life: more doors to knock on, more opportunities to pursue and that’s when I start thinking of moving to United States. In my research, I hear about this TV audition/competition called “Nuestra Belleza Latina” and that immediately caught my attention: “I should participate” I said to myself…and I did!
I flew to New York for this audition but didn’t make it into the show and this is where a new chapter begins. I find myself without a place to live, a job or a plan. At this instant I have two options: I can go back home (DR) and continue pursuing TV there or I can stay in the Big Apple and try to make it… Well, since I’m always up for the challenge, I ended starting a new life in the capital of the world: New York, NY.
Being in survival mode, I started working immediately. With persistence and focus, I was able to get modeling agents and therefore go to castings and auditions. I was able to do print & commercial work for: L’Oreal, AT&T, Samsung, Citizen Watch, among others. In the same way, always in the lookout for TV opportunities, I was able to freelance as an on-set talent/reporter for Univision and Telemundo 47.
One particular day a very peculiar door opens up. A friend of mine was interested in going to a tv audition for a reality show and asks me to give her some runway and speech lessons. It all began helping my friend achieve her goals and thanks to social media, other girls started reaching out asking me to teach them how to walk on heels, moms telling me about their tomboy daughters and pageant girls needing a coach… and this is how all of a sudden my hobby becomes a business!
Has it been a smooth road?
My coaching business started unexpectedly. At the beginning I was training some of my clients at a gym, others in their house or at my apartment but one day, these locations were not an option and that’s when I had to take a bigger step and rent a dance studio. It was amazing to have a space, privacy and large mirrors for the girls to practice!
The biggest and hardest challenge of all was right when my coaching business was expanding the most, when more girls were contacting me interested in my classes… I decide to leave New York and relocate in Miami. It was a life project and big step that I’d been analyzing for some time… I took a leap of faith and moved to start over again, always visualizing bigger and better things for my personal and professional goals.
Living now in Downtown Miami and thanks to the wonders of technology and networking, I’ve been able to promote my services and already find myself coaching pageant girls face to face and online for State and National competitions all over the country!
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
As a Coach, I combine my 12 years of Modeling, National and International pageantry experience, my education in Media & Entertainment to help women who need to boost their confidence, self-development, and personal refinement as well as girls who are interested in participating in Beauty Pageants.
My Refinement Coaching Program for girls and women of all ages includes:
Runway, Posture, Poise, Personal Image, Speech, Commercial Acting, Social Etiquette, Table Manners, Fashion Runway, Model Wardrobe & Bag, Makeup, Photo-posing, Agencies & Auditions, Head-shots & more!
For the girls interested in my Queens Pageant Coaching this includes:
Customized Pageant Prep Plan, Pageant Paperwork Preparation, Beauty Runway (Opening, Swimsuit, Gown), Stage Development (Choreography), Judges Interview Skills &Techniques, Wardrobe & Image Consultation, Public Speaking, Social Media Strategy, Commercial Acting, Etiquette & Protocol, Makeup, Makeover, Photo-shoot, Head-shots, Competition Mindset & Personal Platform Development!
Offering private classes, group sessions, and online classes too!
What I love the most about coaching girls, whether they just want to learn how to walk on heels or win a pageant is the level of confidence that comes with the training. Seeing their evolution from day 1 to 3-4 months later, going from shy and insecure to rocking a photoshoot or shinning on stage competing against other girls and giving their all!
It’s an amazing feeling to be able to empower these young girls and women and show them their full potential. Letting them see that my classes are not only to become more refined or to wear a crown but they’re obtaining skills that will stick with them for the future, wherever life takes them.
When I coach a girl, it’s much more than modeling… it’s handing them tools that will come hand on hand with their success – no matter the industry. Confidence and empowerment marks the difference everywhere you go.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
It’s been an amazing journey… but I haven’t achieved everything on my own. I’m grateful to have wonderful parents who supported me since day 1 when I said out of nowhere that I wanted to take modeling classes.
I also have to thank 2 wonderful coaches/mentors who believed in my talents along the way: my oh so creative friend Israel David Gomez always coming up with photoshoots and events having me as his muse and Aridio Garcia, an amazing coach and stylist in New York who believed in me when he barely knew my name…
And last but not least, thank you, Brian C. Rand, for sharing the business mindset, facilitating my first coaching sessions in Miami and for all your encouragement and support along the way.
You guys are angels in my life. Thank you for being there at all times.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.catherinemabel.com
- Phone: 347-366-2143
- Email: coach@refinementqueens.com
- Instagram: @cr.refinementqueens
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cathmabelcoach
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
