Marvin Montes of Digital on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Marvin Montes shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Marvin, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What battle are you avoiding?
Detaching. I currently tend to remain in situation or in projects that no longer have value but I tend to hold on much longer than I should. When I see the potential I attach trying to see it through.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Marvin. I am a marketing professional with Esemai Media, helping small business polish their brand and have a strong online presence. I’ve worked alongside businesses in many different niches and truly enjoy watching brands grow from expand. I currently also have brands of my own, GoodlifeMass being the most established and others that are still in their infancy stage.

Although my entrepreneur background started in middle school, my understanding of marketing and branding started in at Curry College where I graduated with my bachelors in Business Management with a focus in marketing.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When I was in 4th grade my mother left Montreal where I was born and moved to the United States. We completed that school year with my older sister and grandmother. Throughout that time, it was as if my conscience had developed. I became more in tune with adult concepts. Shortly after my brother and I moved to the United States as well.

With my newfound understanding of life and having to leave the world I knew, I developed a sense of independence. Although I was very young, I understood the things that I enjoyed and some of the things I would never want to experience again. From there I really started learning as much as I could about any and everything to be better equipped at handling those curve balls life may bring forth.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
In my early 20s, I had a battle with cancer which took me through the second half of college. At first, I was indifferent. Then fear developed. I continued working full time and going to school at the time and I acknowledged the fact that no matter what were to happen to me, all these things would go on as normal. That lit a fire in me that allowed a relentless pursuit of my goals. So much that even after goals are accomplished, I detach and look for the next thing I can accomplish.

This may sound like a positive but on the other side of that coin, I tend to forget to enjoy the moments that pass. Trying to accomplish my goals while fearing the worst medical outcome not only created a tunnel vision in my life that at times I don’t even notice, but my accomplishments never seem to be enough. Being idle too long tends to depress me. I haven’t truly healed this but I’m learning to balance getting the things that you want out of life and business while appreciate the things that are already here.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
Being there for everyone measures your worth. This may have been the naivest concept that I held on to. Many times, people will value you as much as they need from you now and not necessarily how often you show up. You can average 90% helpfulness but the 10% where you lack will overshadow all the sacrifices and time invested. It took me time to develop boundaries against this but now I just follow my 6 guiding principles:

1. Growth Is the Standard – Stay committed to leveling up mentally, spiritually, physically, and financially.
2. Protect Your Energy – Guard your peace, fuel your body, and stay aligned with what really matters.
3. Speak Life Into Everything – Use your voice to uplift, affirm, and breathe power into people, projects, and purpose.
4. Be the Blueprint – Build what you wish existed. Leave something real behind.
5. Honor the Circle – Respect time, energy, and relationships. Loyalty and presence are non-negotiable.
6. Move With Purpose, Soul, and Strategy – Don’t move just to move, every step should connect to meaning and mission. Let your spirit guide the vision, and your structure bring it to life.

If something doesn’t align, I use discernment and sometimes no is simply the best answer.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
The first thing that comes to mind is to stop explaining myself. Sometimes my approach may be seen as cunning or other times callous, but ultimately, I wear my heart on my sleeve. If I show up it’s because I believe in what it is I’m showing up for not because of any ulterior motive. But my emotions or state of mind may be showing in how I’m communicating.

I’ve spent a lot of time over explaining myself in times where others are judging or creating false narratives but through time, I’ve learned the truth will always show. If you stay the course and don’t fall into the noise, the results will dictate what the real truth was. So, 10 years left? I would focus more on results rather than explaining myself through the process. Not every why needs to be explained.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.Esemai.com
• Instagram: @MontsReal
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvingmontes/