Raised in a low income neighborhood in Houston, Texas, Gutierrez is a young Latina, whose resilience and drive propelled her from humble beginnings to prominence in the business world. Gutierrez conquered a battle against depression and decided to succeed against all odds. At the age of 21, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from the University of Houston and upon graduation; she relocated to Miami Beach where her career in Marketing/Public Relations unfolded. While working at a Magic Johnson event, she met the Marketing Director for Farouk Systems, Inc. (FSI), owners of the CHI and BioSilk brands by Founder Farouk Shami.
As fate would have it, FSI became the platform Gutierrez would showcase her talents and remarkable work ethic. A quick learner and entrepreneur, she became the company’s youngest executive, CHI Magazine’s Managing Editor and Shami’s right hand. Fierce and unstoppable, Gutierrez designed and executed a publicity strategy that exposed the brands to Hollywood at events like the Oscars, Grammys, and Emmys, to name a few. She put CHI/BioSilk products into the hands of A-list celebrities in likes of Jessica Alba, Miley Cyrus and Michael Jackson as well as galvanized incredible media coverage from EXTRA to E! Entertainment. Another critical strategy she choreographed was to spotlight the founder of the company, who until then had never received prominent attention. In this publicity quest, she managed to convince ABC local news to run a segment on him, she secured a feature on a CBS special, Top Companies in Houston, as well as, acquiring multiple appearances on FOX Business and CNN Money. The momentum received from this publicity resulted in the FHI brands being published in over one hundred trade and consumer publications, including the front page of WSJ and USA Today’s Money section. Gutierrez also directed commercials for Shami and photo shoots for CHI Magazine and FSI.
In 2009, Farouk Shami shocked Democratic Party leaders and Texans when he announced his candidacy for state governor. At this point, Gutierrez switched roles and her plans with the company. Employing her marketing skills, she spearheaded Shami’s publicity campaign in his pursuit of the Hispanic vote. Despite his loss in the Democratic primary, Gutierrez celebrated after sources revealed that over eighty-five percent of the votes he received came from Hispanics. This accomplishment upheld her belief that she had the ability to succeed in any arena. Gutierrez bounced back from the campaign enthused and partnered up with the Harvard Kennedy School’s Latino Leadership Initiative and later met with the US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor in her chambers. She negotiated and secured an exclusive sponsorship with the Miss Universe Organization along with a two hour episode on Celebrity Apprentice.
One can say she had everything going her way, but an unexpected turn of events changed her focus. Upon learning that her older brother was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma cancer she began to focus her attention to his recovery. His chemotherapy treatment was so aggressive that it needed to be monitored by doctors full time. Immediately his new residence became the hospital, and unwilling to leave her brother alone, it became hers too. Reluctant to accept the news, she relied on her deep faith in Christ and refused to allow any negativity spoken in his room. Unexpectedly the cancer patient became a “motivational speaker” and six months later he was completely healed!
This dramatic event was the catalyst to a new direction in her life. She made the decision not to return to FSI; instead she redirected her attention to helping Texas LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) with their plans for the state’s congressional redistricting. In her spare time, Gutierrez began exploring the idea of creating a blog which would focus on Hispanic events, culture and people. Wanting others to see her passion and pride for her Hispanic culture she created, thehispanicblog.com. Many surprises followed Gutierrez. The first surprise was having her blog nominated for an award, less than two months after its inception, by South by Southwest’s Social Revolución (sponsored by Univision). A few months after that, she was shaking hands with President Obama.
Known for her cutting-edge skills in marketing/public relations, it was not long before FSI’s competition drew her to Los Angeles where she currently resides and is FHI Heat’s Director of Public Relations. She continues to use her marketing skills and voice in the community to help Hispanics in their run for political office.