The Official Woo-Ha About Me…
Founder and Managing Partner for Digital Peas & Carrots – a global marketing firm located in Los Angeles – and a colossal geek brainiac, certified genius IQ with university degrees in Finance, Economics, Business Management and an MBA. Her skill list, from programmer and graphic artist to business development and digital marketer, is too long to publish here. She has served more than 300 pro-level clients. Maria has also been named in the top ten of the 50 Most Influential and Powerful Women in Social Media (2008/2009), among the Internet’s Most Valuable Female Brands (2009), one of the IT Industry’s Most Influential Women (2009), a Top 20 Must Follow Social Media Diva (2010), and a HubSpot Certified Inbound Marketing Professional (2010-Present).
(Read all the Kudos and Accolades for Maria)
For over a decade, Maria’s expertise has generated millions in targeted, highly profitable business for hundreds of clients across the world. Maria’s specialty is in developing digital marketing strategies that leverage the power of online technology with measurably significant return on investment.
Past and current clients: Small to large businesses, prominent law firms, best selling authors, 6 and 7+ figure entrepreneurs, financial advisors, accountants, retail and e-commerce companies, churches and ministries, non-profits, political candidates, political action groups and a host of online experts.
Experience and expertise: Blogging, communication/pr, branding, customer experience, development and deployment, online marketing, search marketing, SEO, social media, video marketing, LAMP programming, Adobe AIR programming, Facebook applications, mobile applications, and much more.
What I’d Rather Have Said About Me…
I am a born-again believer, fervently serving the greatest Lover of my Soul, the King of all kings – our Most High God. As a child I suffered years of severe physical and sexual abuse at the hands of my mother and my mother’s numerous marriage partners. Later, turning to the ways of the world, I found myself drug and alcohol addicted, divorced from one abusive relationship, and heading for divorce in another destructive relationship with three children, losing all friends and family at the hands of my addictions and destructive lifestyle.
I was the person society would have deemed a throw-away, a hopeless cause. Thank God that He never gives up on His children!
Near death and having lost everything, I found the loving, unconditional acceptance of the Lord through Reverend and Mrs. Howard Jr., their daughter Lisa McNeal, and Marion Love at New Providence Missionary Baptist Church, in Southern California. In the spring of 2005, thanks to their care, patience, and guidance, I was baptized and accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior – the Love of my life.
Now, I have the privilege and honor of spreading the Gospel and Good News of His Love to women all over the world who are struggling with drug/alcohol addiction and abusive pasts. Since being saved, my two older children have accepted Christ as their savior and the Lord has miraculously saved my youngest son from a terminal, debilitating illness – causing his doctors to consider the miracle of prayer and life in His hands.
He continues to give me the Strength needed daily as a single mother raising 3 children, part-time homeschooling my youngest who is Autistic and Epileptic, and to run a successful entrepreneur business as one of the most sought after women in digital marketing and business development today.
I am living proof that there is nothing impossible for our loving, merciful God – no matter what your past looks like, or what others say about you — He has a future for you that you cannot even imagine possible.
I live in sunny Los Angeles with my 3 amazingly awesome children. I’m a passionate political/ministry activist and love teaching Sunday School at my church. I also love classic cars, NBA basketball (go Lakers & Clippers), reading anything I can get my hands on, and I have to confess I’m a gym rat working out 5-7 days a week…