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

Simone, 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?

My mission is to empower women, especially moms, to find their voice and share their stories, elevating their brands and creating lasting impact. As a mother of two – a boy and a girl – I know firsthand the importance of strong role models and the freedom to dream big. I want my daughter to grow up brimming with confidence, knowing she can achieve anything she sets her mind to. I want my son to champion the women around him, recognizing them as equals, not adversaries.

This mission is deeply intertwined with my personal “why”: to work with women and moms, elevating their influence and making a difference in their lives, all while maintaining the flexibility to be present for my children.

Simone, 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?

Growing up as the sixth of seven children in Brazil, I honed my independence and resourcefulness from an early age. My insatiable curiosity and unwavering embrace of opportunities propelled me into a thriving career in web design and development in the late 90s. I’m deeply grateful for the mentors and champions who recognized my potential, opening doors that fostered my personal and professional growth.
In 2003, I took a leap of faith and followed my then-husband’s filmmaking aspirations to New York City. While he honed his craft, I took charge of the finances, eventually finding myself captivated by the world of filmmaking. With his encouragement, I courageously immersed myself in his projects, starting with pre-production and ultimately excelling as the lead cinematographer for new ventures.
Motherhood marked another transformative chapter. It brought together all the skills and passions I had cultivated, leading me to establish “Mom Is Not For Sale,” a dynamic podcast and platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of mothers navigating the complexities of personal and professional life. It’s a haven where moms discover inspiration, unwavering support, and practical wisdom.
“Mom Is Not For Sale” ignited my passion for empowering women to share their authentic stories. Fusing my filmmaking expertise with my digital prowess, I now offer transformative courses and personalized training, guiding women, to conquer camera fright and craft compelling video narratives. I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact of video in forging meaningful connections and cultivating vibrant communities.
My mission is to help women, particularly those in leadership, professional, and entrepreneurial roles, to create authentic video content that deeply resonates with their target audience. I provide personalized guidance that unlocks the immense power of video to elevate their brand and connect with their viewers on a genuine level.
Here’s what sets me apart:
Passionate Advocate: I am fiercely dedicated to helping women confidently and authentically connect with their audience through video.
Seasoned Expert: With over a decade of filmmaking experience and 25 years of web development expertise, I possess a deep understanding of online marketing strategies.
Results-Driven: My clients consistently achieve tangible results through my coaching and training programs.
Personalized Approach: I tailor my guidance to each client’s unique needs and aspirations.
I firmly believe that video is an unparalleled tool for fostering connection and communication. I’m thrilled to empower women to discover, embrace, and share their unique voices with the world.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My life has been shaped by countless experiences, each one contributing to who I am today. Growing up in a large family taught me independence and perseverance, but nothing could fully prepare me for the challenges I would face later in life.

One pivotal experience was my divorce. It wasn’t the separation itself that defined my resilience, but the emotional turmoil leading up to it. For too long, I silenced my own needs and desires, hoping to maintain a sense of stability for my children by keeping their father present in the home. I allowed my words and feelings to be dismissed and distorted, all for the sake of what I believed was best for my family.

Despite the challenges, I always found joy in the little things and never felt truly unhappy. However, I realized that I was holding myself back by prioritizing my partner’s needs above my own. I was dimming my light, neglecting my aspirations and desires.

The breaking point came when I recognized that this pattern wasn’t healthy for anyone, especially my children. In the midst of the pain, I found the courage to listen to my heart and prioritize the well-being of my children and myself. It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made, but it was also the most empowering.

During this time, I connected with countless women trapped in similar situations. I saw their struggle and knew I had to do something. That’s when the seeds for my mission were planted. I wanted to help women find their voice, reclaim their power, and create lives filled with joy and authenticity.

Putting myself in front of the camera while going through a divorce was incredibly difficult. But I knew my purpose was greater than my fears. Overcoming my insecurities, I stepped forward to share my story and connect with others. It was through this vulnerability that I found my true calling: empowering women through video.

Today, I use my technical skills and personal experience to help others find their voice on camera and share their stories with the world, making a lasting impact and leaving a meaningful legacy.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building my social media presence started with small, courageous steps – deciding to step in front of the camera and share my story. I knew it would be challenging, so I chose to begin on my Instagram account for “Mom Is Not For Sale,” a platform I created for moms like me. Sharing on Instagram felt comfortable and aligned with my mission to empower mothers.

As I grew more confident on camera, I expanded to my personal Instagram account and eventually realized I needed to build my own brand. I wanted to be recognized for my work, not just my association with a project. This led me to shift my focus: sharing moms’ stories on the “Mom Is Not For Sale” account and using my personal account to connect directly with my audience. The transition felt natural, and sharing my own experiences and vulnerabilities resonated deeply with other women.

Ever a learner, I experimented with different platforms and strategies, including sharing business-related content on my personal Facebook page. I updated my profile and banner to reflect my professional identity. Within a month, my Facebook audience grew from around 580 friends and family to over 4,000 followers.

My advice for those starting out is this: Begin where you feel most comfortable, but don’t be afraid to experiment and explore other platforms. It’s essential to find what works for you and your audience. Share your authentic self, be open to learning and adapting, and most importantly, don’t let fear hold you back. Your voice and your story should be your guide and lead you to make a lasting impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://simonemony.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/IamSimoneMony
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/IamSimoneMony
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/simonedbueno
• Twitter: https://x.com/IamSimoneMony
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@IamSimoneMony
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3268170/
  https://vimeo.com/iamsimonemony

Image Credits

Both photos with the filming camera: Beatriz Deruiz
For all other photos the credit belongs to me.