Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Rivera.

Monica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story begins in the Bronx, New York, as a first-generation Latina raised by immigrant parents who valued stability above all. Life took an unexpected turn when I lost both my parents by age 23, leaving me without a safety net. Driven by survival, I immersed myself in corporate America, climbing the ladder for over a decade.

However, in my thirties, I began to feel unfulfilled, like a dimming string of Christmas lights. I realized my survival mentality, while crucial earlier, was now holding me back. In 2017, I took a leap into podcasting, despite having no experience beyond being a super fan.

This decision opened doors I never imagined. I earned a fellowship with NPR, spoke at TedX, and worked with companies like the New York Times and Time magazine. Today, I’m a personal brand communication strategist, specializing in personal branding, storytelling, and strategic self-marketing.

My journey taught me that security and fulfillment aren’t mutually exclusive. Now, I empower experienced professionals, founders, and solopreneurs to build impactful personal brands. I believe our unique experiences and skills are our superpowers, and I teach others to embrace and showcase them without feeling shy, overwhelmed, or like they’re bragging.

My mission is to help people transform not just their careers, but their entire lives by harnessing the power of their personal brand and story. After all, every story has the power to inspire, influence, and ignite change.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building my business has been a journey of self-discovery, often revealing the parts of myself that still needed healing.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is learning to distinguish between personal and business relationships. As someone who values deep connections, I initially struggled to set clear boundaries. I found myself overextending, offering free advice, and blurring the lines between friend and client. This not only impacted my business growth but also led to emotional exhaustion.

Time management has been another significant hurdle. Coming from a structured corporate environment, I underestimated the discipline required to balance client work, business development, and personal time as an entrepreneur. There were periods where I’d work around the clock, fueled by passion but heading straight for burnout. I had to learn – sometimes the hard way – that rest and self-care are not luxuries but necessities for sustainable success.

We’ve been impressed with YOU WANNA DO WHAT?! , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
YOU WANNA DO WHAT?! is a personal branding coaching/consultancy for mid-career professionals, founders, and solopreneurs. Drawing on 20+ years of corporate marketing experience, Monica offers keynote speaking, training, workshops, and 1:1 coaching in personal branding, leadership, public speaking, storytelling, and marketing strategy.

We serve individuals and organizations, helping them enhance their online and offline presence to unlock career and business opportunities.

As a Latina-owned business, we bring a unique, culturally aware perspective to personal branding, combining corporate expertise with personalized service.

To get a taste of what we do, I invite you to listen to a podcast of the same name, YOU WANNA DO WHAT?!

What was your favorite childhood memory?
There are so many but one that stands out is going to see WWE wrestling with my dad. There was something so electric about the music, lights, and showmanship of the events. It was also a fantastic way for my dad and I to bond.

Contact Info:

• Website: youwannadowhat.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/youwannadowhat
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/monicamrivera
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-wanna-do-what-personal-brand-public-speaking-thought/id1253069055