We recently connected with Maria Anderson and have shared our conversation below.
Maria, appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being a business owner force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
As a business owner, I can confidently say I’m happier overall, but that doesn’t mean the journey has been without its challenges or moments of doubt. Owning a business brings a sense of purpose and autonomy that’s deeply fulfilling, but it also comes with huge responsibilities that can sometimes feel overwhelming.
I remember one particularly tough day not too long ago. It was the end of the year, and my team and I were juggling tight deadlines, client demands, and last-minute changes to regulatory requirements. On top of that, a major prospective client we’d been courting for months decided to go in a different direction. I was exhausted, frustrated, and wondered, “Wouldn’t it be easier to just work a 9-to-5, clock out, and leave the stress behind?”
But as I sat there reflecting, I realized something crucial. While a regular job might give me the same sense of ownership over my work or the ability to directly impact the success of others, running Marico Consulting allows me to combine my passion for helping small businesses and nonprofits thrive with the freedom to innovate and create solutions tailored to my clients’ unique needs. That sense of purpose is irreplaceable.
What really pushed me through that moment was remembering why I started this journey in the first place. The flexibility to prioritize my family, the pride in seeing my team grow, and the fulfillment of building something that is bigger than me and align with my core values these are all things I wouldn’t trade for anything.
In the end, I realized that the hard days are part of the process, and they make the victories even sweeter. Owning a business isn’t easy, but it’s where I’m meant to be, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Maria, 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?
At Marico Consulting, we specialize in Fractional CFO and COO services, accounting, HR and payroll management, and risk management. We solve critical problems for our clients, such as navigating compliance, optimizing resources, and streamlining processes to ensure sustainable growth. Our approach is rooted in our core values: kindness, authenticity, success, integrity, and resourcefulness.
What sets us apart is our genuine partnership with our clients. We’re not just service providers; we’re the missing piece that allows organizations to focus on their mission while we handle the complexities of their back office. Whether it’s preparing for audits, managing payroll, or ensuring compliance, we provide tailored solutions that fit each client’s unique needs.
I’m most proud of the impact we’ve had on our clients. From helping nonprofits maximize their reach to enabling small businesses to scale sustainably, our work has created pathways to success for many. Additionally, as an EDWOSB-certified firm, we’re proud to contribute to government projects, expanding our reach and mission.
For potential clients and followers, I want them to know that Marico Consulting is here to create strong operational and financial foundations for businesses and organizations. We offer expertise, trust, and a commitment to excellence. Our work goes beyond numbers—it’s about empowering people and communities to achieve their goals and realize their potential.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
What helped me build my reputation within my market was a combination of passion, perseverance, and the willingness to take on challenges, even when I had no prior experience. I began my career working on the Obama campaign, stepping into a political world I had no experience in but fully believing in the power of making history and serving my community. I was passionate, authentic, and eager to prove myself. That passion, combined with a hunger to be challenged in accounting and operations, landed me a senior accountant role. It was there that I had a mentor who invested in my career and taught me what operational excellence looks like in a high-stakes environment.
Working on the Obama for America campaign gave me a firsthand look at what it takes to create history from an operations perspective. I learned to anticipate challenges, ensure there were no mistakes, and align logistics with a greater mission. That mindset carried over when I transitioned to the White House operations team. At the start of President Obama’s first term, my job involved support operations of scheduling conference space, photos (called Jumbos) and commissioned officers set up their offices—whether it was furniture, technology, or finding space for critical meetings. It wasn’t glamorous, but I took pride in ensuring that every detail was handled so that others could focus on their responsibilities. Thinking outside the box became second nature, and people started relying on me to solve problems and make things happen seamlessly.
After leaving the White House, I joined a startup political consulting firm, and it was one of the most pivotal experiences of my career. Working alongside a diverse team of professionals who excelled in their craft inspired me to think bigger about my own career. For the first time, I could envision myself as a business owner. One of the co-founders pushed me to deliver my best work every single day, and though it was tough, it taught me discipline, excellence, and resilience.
My next step, moving into a nonprofit, was strategic I wanted to round out my experience and master multi-state operations in an entirely different sector. Each phase of my career has shaped me, adding layers of expertise and perspective. From political campaigns to the White House, from startups to nonprofits, I built a reputation for being reliable, solutions-driven, and dedicated to excellence. Every role taught me to show up fully, even when I wasn’t in love with the task at hand. That work ethic and ability to adapt is what earned me trust and respect in the market today.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn was the idea of always needing to be 3-5 steps ahead of my director, a mindset I developed early in my career. While this approach worked in traditional roles, especially during my time in high-pressure environments like the Obama campaign, White House, and a start up consulting firm with two it became counterproductive in consulting.
As a consultant, I learned that you can’t care more about a business or organization than its owners or board. My instinct to go above and beyond often led me to take on more responsibility than was healthy or sustainable, especially when the client wasn’t equally invested in their company’s success. It was a tough realization, but one that forced me to redefine my boundaries and approach.
This is why I now encourage clients to opt for Marico Consulting’s CFO/COO package. It allows me to work holistically, evaluating the company’s operations and financials as a cohesive system. Instead of being a step ahead of someone else’s vision, I focus on aligning with the organization’s goals, creating systems that empower owners and boards to be more engaged, and ensuring my role enhances not replaces their accountability. Unlearning that habit has helped me work smarter, set healthier boundaries, and deliver better results for my clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.maricoconsulting.com
- Instagram: Maricoconsulting
- Facebook: maricoconsulting
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marico-consulting-llc/?viewAsMember=true
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/YfgB0U5QxL0?si=e7KhZcSAIS997P-5
Image Credits
Eli Turner