We recently connected with Maria Medina and have shared our conversation below.
Maria, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
Being the only one in the room who looks different has been a journey of learning and adaptation throughout my career. Originally from Colombia, my diverse background has been a tremendous asset as I’ve navigated various environments—from Egypt and Spain to the UK, South Florida, and now Orange County, California.
My journey into business started unexpectedly after a career-ending soccer injury led me to reevaluate my goals. Inspired by my father’s business success, I pursued Business Management and Marketing, achieving significant career milestones by the age of 24 in London. Moving to the US with my wife, I ventured into entrepreneurship, starting with purchasing and successfully growing a local Minuteman Press franchise in Florida.
Navigating different business landscapes and communities, I’ve developed a unique toolkit over 15 years. This experience has been crucial as a certified business coach and consultant. Despite being one of the few individuals with my background and appearance in the male-dominated print and coaching industries, I’ve learned to use my uniqueness strategically. I leverage it as a differentiator to make myself more memorable to the people I meet and connect with.
For instance, in the print industry, where I initially stood out due to my background and perspective, I used my cultural insights to better understand and cater to diverse client needs. This approach not only helped me build strong client relationships but also positioned me as a go-to consultant for businesses looking to expand their reach across multicultural markets.
Similarly, in the coaching industry, I’ve found that my unique perspective allows me to offer fresh insights and empathetic understanding to clients who may not see themselves represented in traditional coaching spaces. By embracing and sharing my background authentically, I’ve attracted clients who value diversity and appreciate a coach who can relate to their experiences on a deeper level.
Through proactive engagement in local networking and charitable organizations, I demonstrate how authenticity and cultural diversity can drive business success and community impact. My effectiveness in diverse environments stems from my proactive approach, cultural adaptability, and deep business knowledge. I enjoy empowering fellow business owners and professionals through individual coaching, group sessions, consultations, and speaking engagements, helping them elevate their skills and achieve their goals.
Beyond work, I find joy in spending time with my loved ones and our pets, engaging in activities like playing basketball, watching sci-fi TV shows, and cooking. My life and business philosophy centers on resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to ongoing growth and community impact.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I originally launched The Coaching Network whilst I still owned my print shop. As I grew my coaching practice I slowly realized that this was exactly what I was meant for. I truly enjoy helping other business owners and professionals accomplish their goals and run a business that they love. Having gone through the entrepreneurial journey myself, I am able to connect with small business owners on a different level, and understand exactly what they are going through. Everyone is different, and I enjoy listening to their unique stories and working out the best way to help them achieve their goals.
Most recently I am very excited about a free workshop series I will be starting with the Orange Chamber of Commerce. I am making my paid workshop series accessible to chamber members free of charge. I am a firm believer that if people around me succeed, so will I.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Very early in my entrepreneurial journey my wife had to pull me aside and help me as I was feeling extremely frustrated with the steep learning curve. Making constant mistakes and feeling like I didn’t know what I was doing was discouraging to say the least. But something she said really resonated with me and I remember it to this day: “You don’t know what you’re doing. You’re learning as you go. Be prepared to make at least one mistake a day and learn from it.” To this day I enjoy making mistakes because I then think: “What can I learn from this?” As you go through your journey, be genuine and authentic, and if you don’t know enough about something, make an effort to learn about it. Not everyone knows everything, and the only way to learn is to admit you don’t know. And it goes without saying, use your network, reach out to your network for support. Whether that’s your partner, friends or other business owners.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
Eat That Frog is one of my favorite books and I actually just recommended it to someone last week! “Eat That Frog” by Brian Tracy emphasizes prioritization and productivity. The key takeaway is to tackle the most challenging or important task (the ‘frog’) first each day to avoid procrastination and increase efficiency. I use this technique regularly and it helps me stay on track with my to-do list and schedule.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thecoachingnetwork.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariamedinacoach
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachingnetworkofficial
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamedinacoach
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
