We were lucky to catch up with Mariselle (Mari) Gonzalez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mariselle (Mari), thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned while working at a prior job?

I have always loved working with people. I am an engineer with a very well-developed right brain. I am curious and creative. I can solve complex problems with both an analytical brain and empathy by meeting people where they are. Understanding the entire landscape allows me to develop several options as potential solutions to the problem.

After spending half of my career working in semiconductor electronics, my approach was always from a process improvement methodology, vs a prescribed, one-size-fits-all solution; I am constantly asking what can be better, faster, or more efficient – design thinking.

The second half of my career has been in the software as a service (SaaS) industry. As a consultant in services delivery, I have found that the method I used for years as an engineer has come in very handy when developing processes and standards. This approach and way of thinking gave me the edge in developing standards and providing companies with solid business architecture guidance and governance frameworks required to maintain healthy software environments.

I recently started my consulting firm and created a methodology called The RAMP Strategy. RAMP stands for Realign, Assess, Map, and Plan. The strategy allows me to reach companies and teams who may be experiencing challenges with changes or looking to avoid costly mistakes before implementing a change. It is the perfect combination of my love of working with people, solving problems, designing a strategic future, and ensuring that the companies I work with have a solid plan and governance for their implementation.

I am also working on a passion and purpose project called Parallel 10 Education, a curriculum-based program for kids between 4th and 12th grade. This project was inspired by the first curriculum I wrote, which provides an opportunity for students to explore different engineering disciplines. The other curricula I develop will provide access to topics not typically covered in school, but will bridge gaps and provide valuable life skills like personal finance, exposure to other cultures, emotional self-regulation, body biology, and more.

Mariselle (Mari), 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?

My name is Mariselle. I am originally from Venezuela. My parents moved to Arizona over 40 years ago, and I stayed. I love Arizona! I am very curious and love learning new things all the time. I graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree and an MBA from ASU. I started my ventures because I have a passion to share what I have learned and have a positive impact on others. I wish to save companies money by providing a service that gives them a good idea of where they are (Assess), extracts their vision of where they want to go (Realign), identifies the easiest path to change (Map), and works with other teams to develop a strategic map (Plan). My educational program is very much along the same lines – a lot of what I want the various curricula to cover/teach are topics and lessons I wish I had learned when I was a kid.

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

Starting my own business has always been something on my bucket list. Stepping into the role of CEO of my own business after many years of working for a major corporation has been scary, challenging, and exciting all at the same time.

Being under the canopy of “safety” while working for a big company, having the benefits, the perks, and all of the other things that keep you from leaving the nest are all a blur when life gives you the literal boot and says enough is enough! Time for you to live up to your potential!

After years in an unfulfilling position, waiting for my next promotion or for someone to recognize my value, I got laid off. I have to admit, I was furious at first…after all I gave to them, this is what I get?! Endless job apps, interviews, and mediocre job offers later, I have had to reprogram my brain to think that having a job is not the only way to make money.

Call it a blessing in disguise, I finally recognized MY value and like a butterfly coming out of a cocoon, I am unfurling my wings, flapping them dry and learning to fly. The butterfly effect has begun with the flap of small wings, and is leading to a second phase of life with massive impact and legacy!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The only constant in life is change, but if I had to pick one defining moment, it would be my divorce. I got married thinking it would be forever, but life had other plans. Our marriage lasted only 5 years, but our relationship lasted about 14 years…Letting go was hard, but it is the best thing I have ever done! I now have the space of mind to do the things I am doing and create the best life I could ever imagine!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marisellegonzalez.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marisellegonzalez.co/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marig

Image Credits

All images created by me, except for the photo of me by Rachel Solomon