CATHY J. HOOD

"Building a Public Relations agency in Hollywood amongst many is hard but rewarding when you're the go-to professional solving client problems".

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do?

A. I’m best known for my specialties in the public relations, strategic communications, and community engagement realm. I currently run and operate a PR and communications agency called Pristine Initiative, LLC located in Hollywood, CA. As a small, Black woman-owned agency, we represent a diverse roster of talents, brands, small businesses, and corporate entities across various industries.

For those looking for press coverage around their projects and releases or need assistance with building their company’s brand and overall messaging, I’m the go-to professional who orchestrate innovative ideas and brings it to fruition. I love “people stories” and I love helping people build.

Q. Who motivated you be the person you are today?

A. I’ve been blessed with so many incredible mentors throughout my career. The root of my motivation has always stemmed from my father, Willie James Hood. Growing up, I didn’t get an allowance for cleaning up or for babysitting someone’s child. Instead, my dad made me read books, take dance classes, helped me get roles in school plays, and was just a strong voice in my life early on.

I also listen to a lot of women empowerment podcasts and get a lot of my daily motivation from other professionals and their incredible victory stories.

Q. Let’s talk about your work and impact in the Hollywood community and the initiatives you are spearheading.

A. There is a lot going on in Hollywood as far as an increase in crime, robberies, and shooting violence. We also have a huge encampment problem. All these issues have greatly impacted me, those who live here, tourists, and the overall perception of Hollywood.

For the past few months, I have been working strategically with Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell on a slew of initiatives to help provide solutions to such pressing issues happening within our district. I recently did a press conference with him on Hollywood Blvd to help pass a motion allocating additional overtime hours to LAPD. I also started curating community clean up events in partnership with the city of Los Angeles and have been meeting with local community leaders engaging in their efforts.

I’m honestly in the midst of spearheading so many things, including my own coalition to harness the power of communities and to transform social and economic conditions of our neighborhoods.

Q. What has been your greatest accomplishments you’ve had in your career?

A. My greatest accomplishment has been leaving the corporate life to run and operate my own PR agency. Most of my early career was spent on chasing the corporate ladder to find I was too innovative for the traditional setting. It took a lot of courage and a leap of faith to become an entrepreneur, but it was the best decision I’ve ever made!

I would also say I’m very proud of the work my team and I have accomplished through Pi since its conception three years ago. Under our PR umbrella, we’ve spearheaded successful campaigns for Snoop Dogg’s son Cordell Broadus, U.S. Senate candidate Gary Chambers Jr, That’s So Raven Disney actor Kyle Massey, Saban Music Group’s R&B artist Nakkia Gold, and so many

other incredible talents! The agency is still growing. It’s been amazing to witness the impact our work is making with not just talent but within the culture and environments they are thought leaders in.

Q. Where do you see yourself in the next 3 years?

A. Great question! I plan to spend the next few years building Pi. I want to acquire office space, hire more employees, work on more wonderful projects, and produce quality results for clients. For me, it’s about doing the work right now and letting it speak for itself. I am putting my all into building the agency and I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon.

Q. Can you tell us some of the challenges and hurdles you’ve had to go through in your career?

A. I have endured so many! I remember the days when there weren’t many opportunities knocking at my door. When I worked in Gary, Indiana at a call center for $7.25 an hour. The days I worked in corporate America and was utterly miserable. The moments when I was negative in my bank account with no money.

For the past decade, I have been building, working, grinding, and staying motivated to push forward. I admit, building a PR agency in Hollywood amongst many wellknown entities is hard. However, the challenges and hardships I’ve faced has only fueled me to be better and to keep working towards my passion.

Q. How do you define your purpose?

A. It has taken me years leading up to where I am now to truly understand my purpose and passion. It took a lot of selfreflection, meditation, and soul searching to realize what my purpose is and why. I truly believe that once you know who you are and why, you’ll be able to be who you’re meant to be. The saddest thing in life is not knowing your talent. If you don’t know who you are then you will never satisfy your purpose.

Q. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

A. I want to visit Denmark and Pakistan! I have so many beautiful Danish friends across Europe. I would love to travel there, hopefully by the end of the year! It would be great to do business in Denmark and Pakistan. I’ve been exposed to both cultures, and I’m absolutely inspired! Although I haven’t visited yet, I plan to and would like to somehow bring their inspired culture here to the U.S. Between the Danish open-face sandwiches to the Pakistani chi tea, I am utterly in LOVE! reelection campaign, a sustainable project in Oakland, influencer marketing projects, community events, and so much more! New opportunities fly across my desk every day and my team are prepared to take on more challenges.

Q. Where can the followers follow you?

A. Watch us grow at www. PristineInitiative.com and on social media @PristineInitiative. You can also follow my personal pages across all platforms @CathyJHood. Support!

Q. Are you working on any projects or upcoming events? A. Yes, the agency is busy! We are working on music releases, a local