Rafaela Ruffino

Rafaela began her sales career at the early age of 16 selling medical supplies and equipment to doctors in Mexico. At the know-it-all age of 17, she decided a change was needed from high school, and drove herself to the San Jacinto College’s South Campus to sign up and take her GED. Still not satisfied, she threw herself into the job market. Later, realizing working at a restaurant where wearing pantyhose and orange shorts wasn’t going to be her grand career or pay for her grand ideas, it was time to settle down and get back to the books. Within in three years, she had an AA in Business Administration and a beautiful 2 year old little girl named Kailie, but it still wasn’t enough so she enrolled in the University of Houston Clear Lake.

Rafaela graduated from University of Houston Clear Lake with a BBA in Marketing, Omicron Delta Honors Society, Mu Kappa Tae Marketing Honors Society, and President of the Award Winning Marketing Association UHCL Chapter in 2000. Not too shabby for a high school dropout! Being President of AMA gave Rafaela priceless experience in leadership, teamwork, fundraising (winning the national award), sponsorships, and promotions.

Once Rafaela finished her higher education, she went directly into advertising sales. She quickly achieved over $10 Million in advertising sales and development, had a 95% client retention rate, and had Account Executive, Business Development Manager, Key Account Executive and Marketing Consultant all under her name on business cards. Rafaela never would have thought in a million years that selling direct mail or coupons would be life fulfilling and enjoyable, yet the challenge of sales fit Rafaela like a glove.

In reality it didn’t matter what title she earned, what Rafaela enjoyed most was developing a solid business relationships with her clients. In a career where the goal is to sell to everyone you can, as much as you can, as fast as you can, Rafaela never believed in selling something to someone if it was not in their best interest and her clients trusted her on that. Rafaela went on to earn several leadership and sales awards including Rookie of Year and Million Dollar Club.

So what is next for a seven year advertising sales person with a portfolio of over $10 million in an advertising sales? For Rafaela it was time to start her own marketing firm.

Direct Impressions & More, LLC, was created in 2007 by Rafaela Ruffino after identifying a strong need for marketing and advertising representation for individuals and small businesses. The objective of DI&M is to pinpoint extraordinary and innovative up-and-coming individuals and small businesses and provide them with back-to-backs grass roots marketing coupled with forward-thinking, original graphic design to promote profitability and growth fro both our clients and DI&M.

DI&M specializes in inventors and entrepreneurs who wish to better themselves, their customers, the environment and the world.