We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marlo Ramirez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marlo below.
Marlo , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Purpose is not an easy thing to find. Like so many, I have spent countless years trying to figure it out. Little did I know, my purpose was being shaped by each experience, disappointment, and victory I had had in my life. Let me explain. I grew up having zero direction in life. I was a late bloomer so to speak. I didn’t go to college out of High School. If I am being honest, I barely graduated High School. I thought I would become a famous make-up artist. I really thought that make-up was my purpose. But, I soon realized that my life could not support the lifestyle, or travel that the industry came with. What now? I had no idea what to do. I decided on a whim to go to college based on a commercial I saw on TV. I ended up pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice. I thought maybe I would be a police officer. I realized quickly that wasn’t the right profession for me. I was directed to work with “At risk youth.” in a facility. I did that for a long time, and I enjoyed it, and felt like maybe that was my purpose…until… I got hurt. I had to pivot. What next? I had no clue. I decided to go to an employment office (they give out jobs, right?) I had no real skills. I was nice, I liked people, and I was in college. I didn’t know any programs, or had true computer skills. They liked my personality and gave me a try. I became the Office Coordinator. That had to be my purpose…Nope. The market crash of 2008 had other plans for me. I ended up in Recruiting, helping fill roles, find great people, and fill jobs quickly. I loved it. I moved from company to company growing my skills and my responsibility. I rose quickly, I promoted often, and I was good at it. Surely this is my purpose I thought. I was so burnt out. I was a new mom, the breadwinner, and I traveled… a lot! I felt I was living to work and it was awful. One day I had a breakdown. I just lost it. Nothing felt worth it anymore. That is when I heard it. That still small voice that told me, all I needed was faith. Faith as small as a mustard seed and I could move mountains. All the tears I have ever had inside of me were now flowing. But, I wasn’t sad. I was happy. I felt hope, I felt joy. I felt purpose. I decided right then and there that I would help other people “move their mountains.” and, The Mustard Seed Project was born. It isn’t about knowing what to do. It isn’t about having all your “stuff” figured out. It is faith, faith that moves mountains. Faith that can be so little, but when cultivated, nurtured, and respected, and grows into the biggest thing you have ever experienced. I realized my purpose was to coach, to help, and to inspire. it is always easy to speak about purpose once it is found. It took me a long time to realize that I was made to do this. That everything I had been through made me who I am. It made me equipped to help others. I am blessed.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am the Creator and Founder of the Mustard Seed Project, a career and life coaching practice centered around women and moms, (because I am both), and other underrepresented communities. I empower the clients I work with to move their mountains and create an authentic and meaningful career and life by harnessing the power of their core values and personal beliefs to find their passion and create purpose.
I came to be a career and life coach after working in Human Resources and Recruiting and witnessing how recruiting practices were not always inclusive. I am now on a mission to help the clients I work with surmount exclusionary barriers to land a career focused on their personal values, beliefs and culture.
The clients I work with often promote two levels and see an increase in salary of $50K or more. I work with people at all levels and across all industries in the United States. Schedule a call with me at Complimentary Strategy Call – The Mustard Seed Pro (themustardseedproject.net)
I also host my own podcast, The Move Your Mountains Podcast. https://moveyourmountainswithmarloramirez.buzzsprout.com/
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I have been blessed to have had so many wonderful words of wisdom, and encouragement shared with me. Here is what I have learned, and what I feel are the top three takeaways I have learned.
1. It is ok to say No- No is one of the most powerful words you will ever use. When you say no, and mean it, you get to say yes to other wonderful things. No is a word full of empowerment.
2. Negotiate. We get everything we don’t ask for, which = nothing. I believe in a biblical principle that says we have not, because we don’t ask. I believe the same is true in the world of work. We have to ask for what we need and want. Otherwise, we could be leaving a lot on the table. It is our responsibility to negotiate.
3. Audit, audit, audit. Auditing allows you to gain clarity and gives you the freedom to move forward. Audit your resume, audit your home, audit your friends, audit your job. If you are not getting what you need, make the changes needed to move forward.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal client is someone ready to be authentically themselves. They are tired of conforming to the standards of the corporate world, but recognize they need to work and live in that space. My clients are typically women, or, underserved, or underrepresented people who are ready to use their skills and experiences to make change for themselves, their families, and they are ready to be a light in dark places. They recognize the power of coaching, and are ready to do the work to unlock their personal power and live out their core values in an authentic way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.themustardseedproject.net
- Instagram: marlo_yvonne_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Themustardseedpro/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marloramirez/
- Other: https://moveyourmountainswithmarloramirez.buzzsprout.com/
