We recently connected with Sara Maya and have shared our conversation below.

Sara, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear from you about what you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry and why it matters.

One of the biggest things Corporate America gets wrong in digital marketing is this outdated obsession with hierarchy, especially tying credibility to how many years you’ve been at a company, rather than the brilliance you bring to the table.

I’ve seen it happen: a fresh out of college hire walks in, full of creative fire and totally up to date on the latest platforms, trends, and tools. And instead of being welcomed with curiosity and collaboration, they’re met with skepticism. They’re told, in subtle (or not so subtle) ways, to “wait their turn.” To earn their right to speak.

But this is digital marketing. It’s not a stagnant industry, it’s constantly evolving. The truth is, the youth are the pulse. They’re learning the most current strategies, experimenting in real time, and often thinking ten steps ahead of the people who are gatekeeping the table they’re trying to sit at.

When we dismiss their value, we’re not just hurting individuals. We’re killing momentum, innovation, and drive. That kind of environment doesn’t create leaders. It creates burnout.

What corporate culture should be doing is flipping the mindset: pairing the wisdom of experience with the brilliance of new perspective. That’s where the real magic happens. You don’t build the future by silencing it. You build it by letting it speak.

Sara, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m Sara Maya, storyteller, brand alchemist, and founder of Paradigm Collective, a digital marketing and public relations agency built to empower conscious entrepreneurs, creatives, and change-makers.

My journey into this world started with a deep love for human connection and communication. I studied Public Relations, Advertising, and Communications at Florida International University, then expanded into the digital realm with a Master’s in Digital Audience Strategy from Arizona State University. But truthfully? My real education came from life, passion, and the ever-evolving digital playground.

At Paradigm Collective, we specialize in:

Branding: Helping individuals and businesses clarify their essence, voice, visuals, and impact. From mood boards to mission statements, we craft identities that feel as good as they look.

Content Marketing: Creating emotionally resonant storytelling through social media, email, blogs, videos, and more.

Public Relations: From press outreach to event strategy, we position our clients in spaces where their voices can truly be heard.

Social Media Strategy: Authentic growth through community-focused digital presence, trends with purpose, and metrics that matter.

We solve the problem so many businesses face: how to show up in a way that feels aligned, magnetic, and true. We don’t do cookie cutter; we do customized, soul-led strategy that feels as good as it performs.

What sets us apart is our approach: we blend strategy with soul. We’re a hype agency rooted in compassion, clarity, and connection and I lead with heart every step of the way.

What I’m most proud of? The fact that I get to co-create with passionate humans who care about what they’re building. Watching my clients grow in confidence, clarity, and visibility is everything.

If you’re ready to build a brand that reflects your truth and actually resonates with your people, we’re here to help you rise. This isn’t just marketing—it’s your mission made magnetic.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Becoming an entrepreneur isn’t just about building a business, and it’s about betting on yourself every single day. And that’s not always glamorous.

There was a season where I was the marketer, the creative director, the account manager, the admin, and the motivator all in one. I didn’t have a safety net. No one was cutting me a paycheck. If I didn’t make moves, the bills didn’t get paid. And I had to learn quickly that discipline and drive are the foundation of any dream worth fighting for.

There were moments when I’d pitch my heart out, only to hear “you’re too expensive” or “we’ll circle back.” There were people who didn’t see my value, who wanted the work without the worth. And for a while, I took it personally. But then I realized: those weren’t my people.

Resilience for me, has looked like raising my standards instead of lowering my prices. It’s meant walking away from misaligned energy, even when it was tempting to take the check. It’s meant holding out for the right clients, those who respect the work, value the vision, and align with my morals and mission.

Now, I’m proud to say I get to work with clients who see me. Who value integrity, authenticity, and conscious collaboration. And every step of that journey, the no’s, the dry months, the quiet doubt, it made me stronger, sharper, and more sure of my path.

Being an entrepreneur means you are the engine. But resilience? That’s the fuel. And I’ve got plenty of it.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Hands down, the best source of new clients has been word of mouth.

I’ve always believed that the best business relationships come from genuine human connection. I want to work with people I like, people I vibe with, people who feel seen and supported by me and word of mouth has brought me exactly that.

It’s incredibly meaningful when someone recommends me not just because I did a “good job,” but because they enjoyed the experience. They felt my passion, my commitment, and my hype energy, and they shared that with someone else. That’s the kind of growth that feels soulful, not just strategic.

And honestly? I’ve had people circle back a year, two years, and after our first conversation. The sales process might be slow sometimes, but when they come back ready, aligned, and excited to work together, it’s always worth the wait.

Every client I’ve truly loved working with has come from a real connection, not a cold pitch. That’s the kind of energy I want to keep attracting, and it’s working.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.paradigmcollective.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misssaramaya/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paradigmcollectiveco
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saramayaofparadigmcollective/

Image Credits

Sara Maya