Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Padilla.
Michelle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am the Director of Integrated Strategic Sales and Marketing for Eventus WholeHealth, a national leader in post-acute and long-term Care. I am also the owner of Big Tomato Marketing, a digital marketing agency dedicated to empowering small businesses and nonprofits through strategic, values-driven marketing.
I graduated from Winthrop University, my degree was in Arts Education and I spent six years teaching in both public and private schools. My transition into sales leadership came naturally, and I was promoted to an Area Sales Manager in the gym industry. My path shifted when I became certified as an in-home caregiver, working directly with patients and gaining firsthand insight into the needs, fears, and hopes of individuals navigating healthcare challenges.
I discovered the power of combining patient advocacy with strong communication. This ultimately paved the way to my career in medical marketing—a move deeply shaped by personal loss. After my mother’s passing from cancer, I recognized how crucial early access to hospice and supportive services can be for patients and families. My mother’s journey could have been eased with earlier intervention, and this realization became my motivation.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Transitioning into hospice marketing was very difficult for me because my mother had recently passed away. I was passionate about telling the world about the beauty of hospice care, but I went home from work in tears regularly in my first year. Everything reminded me of my mom.
I was a single mom with no family nearby or child support when I started my journey into medical marketing and my office was 45 minutes away from our apartment. From 2015-2020, we were required to go into the office M-F. This meant I needed a back up plan for my back up plan if anything went wrong with my children. There were some very stressful days.
As you know, we’re big fans of Big Tomato Marketing. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Big Tomato Marketing, we believe in the power brand visibility. Our mission is simple: to cultivate success for small businesses through tailored marketing solutions. We’re not just another marketing agency – we’re dedicated to supporting grassroots organizations and helping them grow their revenue. We are committed to keeping our services affordable, ensuring that every business, no matter the size, can access top-notch marketing strategies without breaking the bank. At Big Tomato Marketing, we offer big solutions to small businesses. We are a woman owned and operated business!
Services:
Brand Awareness
Digital Strategy
Sales Strategy
Social Media Management
Reputation Management
Paper Collateral Creation
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Get Authentic With Marques Ogden, Marketing Millennials, C-Suite For Christ devotions
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bigtomatomarketing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/big_tomato_marketing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BigTomatoMktg
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/big-tomato-marketing-llc
