Interview with CEO Cristina Passione Calò
About Cristina Passione’s early life & educational qualification
I was born in a small, beautiful town in southern Italy by the sea, where I enjoyed a happy, carefree childhood. Creativity defined my early years—I loved creating, painting, reading, and coloring. My entrepreneurial spirit emerged early; I sold painted rocks and bead bracelets to make money. I kept an “idea notebook” from age 10, filled with my innovative ideas. Despite challenging economic and family circumstances, I maintained my dreams. Today, as CEO and co-founder of Starflare, I am fulfilled and proud of the person I’ve become.
I graduated in international relations for marketing and studied law, focusing on international and business law. When my first company grew and I moved to Dubai, I had to pause my university studies after four years to focus on the business. I love learning and will continue to pursue it.
The mission and vision of STARFLARE
At Starflare, we have one major mission: to change and improve the lives of millions of businesses and influencers who, although they are part of a business circle that will exceed $56 billion, are forced to manage their work in an outdated and slow way. In our vision, all influencers and UGCs will be able to use our app to manage their work from A to Z, which often translates into revenues of hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. On the other hand, companies will be able to manage all influencer marketing campaigns from inception, creation, and management, to payment in a single and simple digital platform. All this is implemented with an advanced technological system and artificial intelligence.
A good & positive Year
The year has been very positive; Starflare was born in January as the evolution of the first influencer marketing company that I founded in Italy in 2020 with Oscar Giulio S., and from the encounter with our third co-founder Mohammed Shahid Khan, an expert in artificial intelligence and technologies. In the early months, we focused on creating the product, and thanks to the work of a team of 8 people including developers, AI experts, and UX/UI designers, we created the first version of the app and platform. Today, in our database, we manage advertising campaigns for over 4,000 influencers and creators, and we aim to grow even further.
Standing Apart: Elevating Your Business in a Competitive Market”
Our company approaches the needs of this market differently compared to competitors, thanks to our insider experience in this industry. Not only do we solve real existing problems effectively, but we also bring the necessary innovation this market demands.
Fostering Strong Teamwork and Unity in Organizations: Strategies for Success
Certainly, by sharing the same company vision and receiving appropriate awards and recognition for their dedication and contribution to the company. As CEO, I am confident that it is a great team that makes a company successful, and this approach has consistently proven to be the best for us.
Maintaining Healthy Work-Life Harmony as a Business Owner
It’s very challenging; there is a very fine line between work and private life, especially when growing and scaling is not just a corporate goal but also a personal one. I manage to take breaks from work, but I admit there’s little separation between the two worlds if we call them that. I don’t feel the need to draw a strict line between work hours and the rest of my day. When you work with passion and dedication, you don’t watch the clock, the day of the week, or holidays; you work by the only clock you know: achieving goals.
Guiding Start-ups: Essential Tips for Following a Successful Pathway
All innovative and technological startups must be willing to enter a market that is both ready and challenging at the same time. Bringing innovation also means changing established habits over time, which may not necessarily be right or better than other solutions. My advice is to start the testing phase as early as possible and listen to the needs of the end consumer.
Aiming for another round of funding
Yes, absolutely. Unlike many tech startups, our company is capable of generating revenue from day one. We are already in contact with several investors and venture capital funds who believe in our project.
Our goal is to surpass $10 million by 2025, with a focus on the global market, which is our primary objective for the future, closing additional funding rounds, and becoming the leading unicorn in the AI-powered influencer marketing industry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cristina Passione Calò’s journey from a creative childhood in southern Italy to CEO of Starflare reflects her resilient spirit and passion for innovation. Her educational background in international relations and law, combined with her entrepreneurial drive, shaped her path toward founding a pioneering company in AI-powered influencer marketing. Starflare’s mission to revolutionize the industry with advanced technology underscores Cristina’s commitment to solving real challenges and fostering growth. As she continues to lead Starflare toward achieving milestones like surpassing $10 million in revenue and securing further funding, her advice to startups remains clear: embrace innovation early, listen to customer needs, and stay dedicated to your vision.
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