Rewriting the Stories We Tell
Photo Credit: Angela Atelier NJ Branding Studio
Yesenia Reinoso is an award-winning and thirteen-year transformative bilingual storyteller, content creator, public relations practitioner, and entrepreneur. In June 2021, she founded Y Communicate, a platform where people create impact through storytelling. Y Communicate assists clients in establishing and maximizing their brand reputation, voice, and identity. “We help businesses tell their story that’s authentic and credible through corporate communications.”
Returning to the power of communication
She started Y Communicate to not only share her own story but to return to the basics of why we communicate in the first place and how to do so truthfully and ethically. Y Communicate offers resources, workshops, and other essential communication tools to reinvent the ways we communicate and to give the power back to storytellers who want to deliver more authentic messaging. Through the power of media literacy, Reinoso’s clients can identify and utilize the media outlets that best align with their message and the ways their audience want to consume content.
Redefining communication strategies and departments
What sets Y Communicate apart is their in-house mindset. “Most of these firms you see throughout our industry are heavily agency-based. There are few or no options for people to collaborate with a firm that can develop and execute corporate communications strategies with an in-house mindset.” Additionally, through education and training, Reinoso helps her clients build a communication department instead of having to rely on third-party independent practitioners or agencies.
Recognized for communications and storytelling
She’s the right woman for the job. “Ever since I was a child, I always have had a keen eye for storytelling. Wherever we turn, there’s a story that needs to be told and through that avenue, we can build meaningful connections, shape narratives and perceptions.” And that’s not lip service. Reinoso’s impressive education and career illustrate she’s devoted herself to communications and storytelling.
Reinoso is a Pace University graduate (2010, BA in Communications) and a member of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and New York Women in Communications (WICI). Since January 2021, she has served the PRSA-NY’s Board of Directors as the Associate Director of Marketing and PRSA National’s Public Affairs and Government section as the Social Media Chair. Reinoso also co-hosts the marketing and PR podcast “Market or Pitch,” which launched in October 2020.
In September 2020, Yesenia won the PRSA-NY’s prestigious 15 Under 35 award, honoring 15 rising PR stars' outstanding efforts, leadership, and influence in the media industry. In January 2022, Yesenia won Daily Ad Brief’s Marketing Champion Excellence Award for her ongoing efforts in the advertising industry. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Reinoso’s PR work experience dates back to 2007 when she began her career at the Times Square Alliance as a communications team member. Other professional experience (in various capacities) has included National CineMedia, Global Kids, Girl Scouts USA, The City Tutors, and Project Petals.
Rewriting her own story and limiting beliefs
Reinoso has been helping organizations and companies tell their stories for a long time. Now, running a company of her own, there’s a new story to tell, and that’s her own. Her journey into entrepreneurship illustrates that the greatest stories we tell are the ones we tell ourselves.
Despite her formal education, her awards, or her work experience, Reinoso struggles with imposter syndrome like most womenpreneurs. “Since starting this journey, I've been battling myself in terms of worthiness.” She describes this as the fear of not being decent enough to succeed. Not being worthy to reap the rewards of her success.
“It's an endless battle. However, I must keep telling myself that I AM WORTHY. I do belong. I do deserve it. I am a success story.” The words we say to ourselves may matter the most out of all the words that are spoken and all the words we hear. “Through affirmations and mindset changes, I'm practicing a healthier mental outlook that elevates my confidence.”
Rising to the ‘Rihanna of PR’
While Reinoso never imagined entrepreneurship, she knows she has a purpose and unique gift. “To help people through communicating and storytelling. To assist people in bringing their stories to life. To be a game-changer. To be an influencer.” We all have a story to tell and Reinoso not only helps people tell theirs’ but recognizes that her own is just getting started.
She sees herself becoming one of the world's most influential and essential PR entrepreneurs and professionals. “My goal is to be the ‘Rihanna of PR’” and build a multi-billion dollar empire and eventually use her power to help people make an impact across social avenues using PR. “I want to be uniquely me–telling my story on my terms. That will be my legacy.” To learn more about Reinoso and Y Communicate, visit https://www.yeseniareinoso.com.
This feature is a part of StartUp Stories: Celebrating 100 Female Entrepreneurs, a special portrait photography project founded by Angela Acosta, a New Jersey-based portrait and personal branding photographer. To learn more about participating in StartUp Stories: Celebrating 100 Female Entrepreneurs, visit https://promo.angelaatelier.com/signupstartupstories/.
A. Y. Berthiaume is an award-winning author, international book coach and ghostwriter, and the founder/CEO of The Write Place, Right Time. She is also a proud sponsor of and creative collaborator with StartUp Stories. To learn more about A.Y. Berthiaume and The Write Place, Right Time visit https://thewriteplacerighttime.com.