As president and owner of the Miami-based public relations company The Patton Group, Marysol Patton knows what it takes to run a successful company. This prominent female also is capable of balancing her career while starring in Bravo TV’s hot reality show,
The Real Housewives of Miami
(wrapping up its second season now). We’ve got the one-on-one scoop on how she became the woman she is today, while also giving some wise advice for young Miami ladies.
As a little girl, what did you want to be when you grew up?
"My parents told me that I wanted to be an attorney, so that’s what I assumed I wanted to be, even though I didn’t know what that meant since I was very little. I think I always wanted to be a wife and a mother. I never thought about being a career woman when I was a little girl."
What did it take for you to get to where you are today?
"Where do I begin (laughs)? A lot of connections and a lot of hard work. Constantly making contacts, friends, and building really strong relationships which helped me build my business. I fell on this accidentally while I was on the board of a charity as a volunteer, and the director of events left and they asked me to take it. I didn’t really have much of an idea on what to do; I just knew that I needed to throw some parties that people would want to buy tickets to. I did an amazing first event to start which at was the Versace home, the first (party) since Mr. Versace had been killed, and everyone wanted to get into it so it was very easy to sell out."
What is your lifelong goal?
"I guess to retire (laughs). You know, I really want to have a family. I haven't made the time because I’ve always worked, but that’s something I really want to do. Also, I’d like to travel some more."
Do you think going on the Real Housewives had an impact your career?
"I think it helped. A lot of really great clients who haven’t worked with us before have come to the door and were very interested in working with us. I’d see people who’d come in and meet with me and at the end of the conversation would say, 'By the way, I loved you on the show.' That was the whole point, it was for the business. It wasn’t about being famous because I’m not an actress, it was all about promoting The Patton Group."
Do you have any advice out there for our women readers on how to be successful?
"You have to do something that you love because if you love to do it, you’re going to be good at it, and if you’re going to do a good job at it, you’re going to be successful. There’s nothing worse than getting up every morning and going to someplace you don’t want to be and you don’t like to do because you know you’re not going to give it your all."
Photo: Courtesy of WetPaint.com