Meet Maria Anderson

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maria Anderson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Maria , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I get my resilience from my early experiences growing up in foster care. Moving between different schools and environments, I was fortunate to encounter community leaders who taught me adaptability, determination, and the importance of staying focused on long-term goals, even in the face of uncertainty. My sense of community truly deepened as a field organizer for the Obama campaign, working across the country. It was in those moments that I experienced the unwavering support of my people, affirming the strength that comes from collective effort.

I’ve also been incredibly fortunate to have mentors who believed in me and took chances on me, most notably hiring me as a senior accountant for the Obama ‘08 campaign. That pivotal opportunity led to working on the Obama-Biden transition team and later serving in White House operations during the Obama administration. These experiences shaped my career and expanded my understanding of leadership, service, and creating meaningful impact.

Inspired by my journey, I founded Marico Consulting to help small businesses, nonprofits, and startups build strong operational and financial foundations. One of my early projects involved working on a FAMU alumnus’ gubernatorial campaign, where I was able to bring my expertise in political operations and strategy. From there, Marico Consulting has grown into a firm that supports nonprofits and small businesses across the country, ensuring they have the tools and systems to succeed.

My work at Marico Consulting continues to affirm my resilience, as I’ve seen firsthand how providing critical resources and guidance can empower organizations to thrive and communities to flourish. The journey has been one of growth, impact, and purpose, reinforcing the values I’ve carried with me since my earliest experiences.

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?

Professionally, my journey has evolved from aspiring to work with LA28 to pivoting toward becoming a government contractor. After hitting roadblocks with contracting with LA28 Olympics, I refocused and earned my EDWOSB certification from the SBA, with plans to enter the 8(a) program. This shift aligns perfectly with Marico Consulting’s mission to provide expert operations support in accounting, HR, and risk management. By expanding into government contracting, I’m excited to bring our values of kindness, authenticity, integrity, success, and resourcefulness to a broader range of impactful projects.

At Marico Consulting, we pride ourselves on being a one-stop shop for operational excellence, offering tailored services to small businesses, nonprofits, and organizations nationwide. Our core values—**kindness, authenticity, success, integrity, and resourcefulness**—guide everything we do. We know that many organizations lack the resources to hire full-time experts in essential areas like accounting, HR/payroll, and risk management, which is why we provide fractional CFO and operational services to help organizations thrive sustainably.

We’re more than just consultants; we’re your trusted partners. Compliance is a critical aspect of doing business, and we ensure that everything from worker’s comp audits to completing the Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOIR) by the January 1, 2025, deadline is handled with precision. Our role is to alleviate operational burdens, empowering you to focus on your mission or growth.

At Marico Consulting, we believe in creating pathways to success for every client. By combining strategic expertise with our core values, we deliver solutions that allow organizations to maximize their potential while remaining compliant and resilient in an ever-changing landscape.

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?

1. Networking: Building authentic connections has been a cornerstone of my journey, from opening doors to learning invaluable lessons from others. My advice: Don’t wait for someone to become your mentor—make them your mentor by checking in regularly, seeking their insights, and fostering a genuine relationship. Invest in meaningful connections, attend events, and embrace opportunities to collaborate—you never know where they might lead.

2. Excellence in Every Role: Whether I loved the task or not, I always found something to appreciate about the role or the process, allowing me to stay motivated and give my best effort. My advice: Find purpose in every task by identifying what you can learn or enjoy about it, and approach it with dedication. This mindset not only strengthens your work ethic but also sets you apart as someone who thrives in any situation.

3. Resilience: Growing up in foster care and facing professional challenges taught me the importance of perseverance and adapting to adversity. My advice: Cultivate resilience by staying focused on your goals, finding purpose even in tough moments, and leaning on a support system while learning from setbacks as opportunities for growth.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

This past year has been a transformative journey for me both professionally and personally. Obtaining my EDWOSB certification was a significant milestone, but it wasn’t without challenges. The process, which started in February 2024, was riddled with setbacks—from missing required documents to navigating the SBA’s decision to overhaul the entire application process mid-way. I leaned heavily on resources like Apex and TrueAccess to push through, and I learned the importance of having a corporate lawyer review documents like an operating agreement—something I discovered the hard way when my CPA flagged missing control provisions. This experience reinforced the value of preparation and perseverance.

With clients, I realized that not all money is good money and that every client isn’t the right fit. I’ve also learned that I can’t care more about a company or organization than its CEO or board does. Reflecting on my time working on Obama’s historic campaign, I remember how it fueled my belief that anything was possible. Yet, after the most recent elections, it feels as though the pendulum of justice has swung back, crushing the house of change we built. Still, these lessons in resilience, boundaries, and hope have shaped my perspective and strengthened my resolve to keep moving forward.

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Image Credits

Eli Turner, Ross Multimedia,

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