Monique de Maio is a dynamic and accomplished entrepreneur, author, and marketing expert known for her innovative approach to business, leadership, and life. As the founder and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of On Demand CMO, a strategic marketing consultancy, Monique has earned a reputation for guiding businesses to achieve their marketing goals with precision and creativity. With over three decades of experience as a leader in the marketing industry, she has cultivated a deep understanding of women leaders, and the challenges they face not only in the business world, but in managing their personal lives and pursuits.
Monique’s commitment to excellence extends beyond her business; she is also a podcaster (called Possibilities with Monique de Maio) and inspiring author, sharing her insights in her book “The 7 Secrets to Creating a Life You Love: A Practical Guide for Women in Leadership.” Through her multifaceted career, Monique de Maio continues to be a thought leader, empowering individuals, and businesses alike.
Can you share some pivotal moments in your professional journey that shaped your approach to business?
In my book, “The 7 Secrets to Creating a Life You Love,” I tell a story about my last boss before I started my company, On Demand CMO. The way he treated me (vs. the rest of the leadership team who were all men) was the impetus I needed to leave and start my own company. It was discrimination, sexism, and a double-standard that I just did not want to work under. I have never looked back and can now tell you that it was the best thing I could have ever done for myself and my family, even though it was hard for several years.
What inspired you to write “The 7 Secrets to Creating a Life You Love,” and why did you choose to focus on women in leadership?
Mentorship, or lack thereof, is a critical reason behind why I wrote this book. I remember looking for answers, guidance, mentorship, and support, and finding that all the books and articles I could find were written by men. In those days, it was also very uncommon to find women willing to mentor other women, as we were coming up through the ranks. It was an environment of alpha men and alpha women. It was survival of the fittest for these women, and they did not have the time or inclination to worry about the entry-level women. Men looked out for other men, but women did not.
I decided a few years ago that I had to help change that for other women. You may also be a high-powered woman leader people go to for answers, guidance, mentorship, support, etcetera. The question is, who do you go to? I am hopeful that this book is the place for you. I packed my fifty-nine years of intellectual curiosity, learning, tips, tricks, and hacks on how I have been able to lead a life of intention and happiness—designed by implementing a few small things in seven key areas. I have blended my own professional and personal takeaways and compiled them all for you so you don’t have to!
What inspired you to start the “Possibilities with Monique de Maio” podcast, and what themes or topics do you explore in your episodes?
I felt the podcast and the book could help me get my message out and create an empowerment platform. It is focused around being able to say with certainty that your life serves you rather than the other way around.
Imagine taking a journey whose destination is confidence. Imagine taking this journey with a group of other professional women…REAL WOMEN. Not superstars, supercoaches, or supermodels, but real women with real lives, real families, and real careers.
We talk about women’s leadership, career advancement, personal growth, empowerment, wellness, fitness, and nutrition together. This journey opens the door to new and exciting possibilities and leads you to a place of intention, happiness, and fulfillment. Now imagine that this journey is real, and it’s a podcast.
During each engaging episode, I am the truth-telling and no-nonsense host that delves into topics such as women’s leadership, career advancement, personal growth, empowerment, wellness, fitness, and nutrition as I interview insightful experts and share relatable personal experiences. Listening to these podcasts can offer you affirmation, inspiration, practical advice, tips, hacks, and a sense of community with like-minded individuals.
Here are some of the topics we have discussed or plan to discuss on the podcast:
- Talk to Yourself Like a BFF from a Family Physician, author, entrepreneur and mother of five
- Changing My Story Changed My Life
- The Power of Inertia: How to Overcome Your Fear of Change
- Embracing Fear, Learning Humility & Owning Your Power
- The Power of Three: Unlocking the Key to Effective Communication and Decision-Making
- Leading Authentically from a Female CEO’s Perspective
- Food Choices: Getting More Complex & Difficult
- Why Being Authentic is So Important
- Success is not Binary
- Setting Up Your Environment for Success
- Overcoming Imposter Syndrome; Embracing Your Inner Badass
- Don’t let your job take over your life
- Desire vs. Discipline: Making Decisions Over Feelings
- Spending Your Time Intentionally
- Resolutions: How to make them stick.
- Mindset, Belief System & Success from a Sports Psychologist
- Giving Myself Grace was the Difference
- Designing a Life You Love: A Fireside chat with a Serial Entrepreneur
- Self-Care for High Performers: Why self-care is crucial and how to integrate it into a busy lifestyle.
- A Holistic Approach to Nutrition: A Journey Towards Wellness
- Navigating Brave Spaces: Advocacy, Inclusivity, and Growth
- Embracing Neurodiversity: A Mother’s Advocacy Journey
- From M.D. to Spiritual Healer: A journey in consciousness
- Spirituality & Business: Mastering Conscious Entrepreneurship & Personal Growth
- I Wasn’t Stupid After All–Finding My Story
- Three Decades of Fueling Change Through Philanthropy
Can you share a memorable moment or guest interview from your podcast that had a significant impact on you or your audience?
I have ‘ah-ha moments’ with most of my guests because they each bring unique perspectives and experiences to the table, so I would be hard-pressed to single one out. In each podcast episode, however, there are moments where I feel like I walked in the guest’s shoes, or experienced something they have, or wish I had known 20 or 30 years ago. Whether it’s nutrition or overall wellness, or work-life balance or time hacking tricks, or embracing spirituality, it is a teaching moment for both me—AND my audience.
Can you share three standout books or authors in the self-help genre that have been particularly influential and inspiring for you on your journey?
I have a list of recommended authors, podcasts, and resources at the back of my book.
It is hard for me to keep it to just three, so here are my top choices:
The Happiness Advantage, Shawn Achor
Atomic Habits, James Clear
Law of Attraction, Michael J. Losier
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, Don Miguel Ruiz
And of course, What the Heck Should I Eat and Young Forever, both books by Dr. Mark Hyman, MD.
Download “The 7 Secrets to Creating a Life You Love: A Practical Guide for Women in Leadership” today!
