We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maria Kordova a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Maria , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Unarthodox was created with one idea in mind — to build a platform where we could create anything we wanted. Art, to me, has always been a malleable, limitless medium — perfect for bringing bold visions to life. But it wasn’t just about creativity. There was also a strong need inside myself for personal transformation. I felt that art, in its purest form, could be a powerful tool for that.

I had been involved in the art world for years — as a curator, as an event marketing professional — but something always felt like it was missing. Too often, art was treated as an object, a thing to admire from a distance. I wanted to turn that on its head. I wanted to make art the subject — something people could engage with directly, use to reconnect with who they truly are.

Together with my creative partner, Al Montagna, we dreamed up a space that would be our playground for creativity, transformation, and exploration. This was before immersive art experiences became a trend — but we intuitively felt that being immersed in the creative process, not just watching but participating, was the key to something deeper.

From there, Unarthodox started to take on a life of its own. We didn’t set out with a rigid plan — we simply created without limitations, and people responded. Their feedback, their stories of feeling moved or awakened after an experience, became fuel for us to keep going.

To me, the mission of Unarthodox is deeply personal. It’s a reflection of how I see life and art — both are ever-evolving. Just like art is the creation of something that didn’t exist before, Unarthodox keeps reinventing itself. It becomes what it needs to be, for us and for others. That’s the beauty of it — it’s not just a company, it’s a living, breathing form of expression. And we get to grow with it.

Maria , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Maria Kordova — a serial entrepreneur, event and marketing professional, art curator, and certified art therapist. I’m also the co-founder of Unarthodox alongside the incredibly talented Al Montagna — a musician, artist, and truly wonderful human being whose creativity and vision helped shape Unarthodox into what it is today. Without him, this company simply wouldn’t exist in the way it does.

My path into this work wasn’t linear, but it was deeply intentional. I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of creativity and human connection. Over the years, my work has spanned art curation, event planning and marketing, and eventually, the therapeutic arts. I’ve been fortunate to work across the U.S., Europe, and Russia — each place expanding my understanding of how art can serve not just as a form of expression, but as a powerful tool for transformation and self-reinvention.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn was… myself. Or rather, the version of myself that was shaped by others — by expectations, societal standards, comparison, even well-meaning voices like family or mentors. So often, our identity gets layered with roles we didn’t choose, market trends we’re supposed to follow, and fears of missing out. But the truth is, all of that can cloud the essence of who we really are.

Starting Unarthodox taught me that unlearning isn’t just about letting go of limiting beliefs — it’s about peeling back the layers to reconnect with the purest version of yourself. When I stopped trying to be “perfect” and started to create from a place of truth — raw, unpolished, real — everything started to align. We launched experiences that were imperfect but powerful, unfinished but full of soul. And people resonated with that because they could feel the authenticity.

As someone who deeply believes in God, I also believe that our vision and purpose are not entirely ours — they’re given to us. We’re just vessels. The more I tried to take all the credit or control everything, the further I felt from the heart of what I was creating. It’s in surrendering that clarity and creativity truly flow.

So for me, unlearning is an ongoing process — one that opens the door to reinvention, both personally and creatively. When you create from that space of purity and alignment, what comes through is not only unique — it’s transformative.

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

Entrepreneurship, to me, is a constant practice of resilience. It’s not just about building a business — it’s about navigating uncertainty, growth, and self-awareness every single day. Yes, you can have a great business model, but if you lose connection with your vision, get too deep into operations, or rely too much on others to tell you where you’re going — you risk losing everything.

Over the last ten years building Unarthodox, I’ve learned that the most difficult moments in our business — financial stress, communication breakdowns, creative blocks — all pointed to the same thing: a disconnection from myself and from our “why.” For me, the business is a mirror. If I’m aligned, grounded, and honest with myself, the business flows. When I’m not, it reflects in every area.

It’s easy to get caught up in strategy and comparison, especially when the market demands constant innovation and growth. And yes, if it’s not profitable, it’s not a business — it’s a hobby. But growth for the sake of growth, chasing trends just because “others are doing it,” or sacrificing your deeper mission for short-term gain — that’s where things start to fall apart.

What I’ve come to realize is that staying resilient means staying deeply honest. It means checking in with myself often, asking if I’m still aligned with the purpose we started with. It’s like with art — you can try to replicate someone else’s work, chase what’s popular, and maybe even make some quick money. But it won’t last. And worse, it can leave you feeling empty, disconnected from your true gift.

Resilience isn’t about being unshakeable — it’s about constantly realigning with your truth, even when the world pulls you in every direction. That’s what keeps the soul of Unarthodox alive. That’s what allows us — and me — to keep creating with intention.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.unarthodox.com
• Instagram: @unarthodoxnyc @unarthodoxmmiami @unarthodox_element
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unarthodoxstudio/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10974802/admin/dashboard/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UnarthodoxNewYork
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/unarthodox-new-york