Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Orozova.
Hi Maria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Originally from Bulgaria, my family immigrated to the United States in the early 90s…right as I was entering Middle School. Can’t say it’s the best time to land in a new country, not speaking the language without any of your friends, but it taught me resilience, adaptability and grit.
When I was in high school, I became fascinated with graphic design but also with the communication business in general. And while I earned a degree in Graphic Communication in college, it was my minor in Marketing that really propelled me to see the big picture and venture into the world of entrepreneurship.
Always the workaholic, especially back then, I held so many jobs. I worked in retail which taught me the power of merchandising; I worked in hospitality which taught me the importance of client service; and I worked as a freelancer doing graphic design which taught me accountability and to rely on my own abilities and talents.
Upon graduation, I landed in sunny Austin, TX working at a small agency and a few years later, it was the 2008 recession that actually what led me to start my own business. I’m a bit of a rebel, and everyone told me not to quit my job because we were heading for a downturn. I felt very confident in my vision and thought it would be better to be in control over my own finances and livelihood. I asked myself the question I always ask when I’m at a crossroads “If I don’t do this, will I regret it later?” And the answer was “Yes,” so I went for it.
Having always been artistically inclined, I knew I had a unique point of view and that I expressed myself creatively a little differently than everyone else. At the same time, I am also blessed with business sense, so starting my creative firm was a natural fit. I started my business from the spare bedroom of my home with $500 that I had just received as a Christmas gift from my now in-laws. I have never borrowed money since I founded the company 13 years ago and I was being profitable after month one because I had no other option, no backup plan and bills to pay. In 2018, I merged my then creative agency (The MOD Studio) with my husband’s demand generation firm (Intelechy Group) to form MODineltechy.
Today, MODintelechy is a data-driven marketing agency and has earned over 75 industry awards, continuing to serve our clients with strategy, creative and technology to optimize their customers’ journeys. In 2019 we bought a 125-year-old historic building in Hyde Park, remodeled it and moved into our forever HQ, along with our team of 30. And in 2020, we earned the Inc5000 award. There is never a dull moment in agency life, and I love my work the same way I did when I first started in this industry.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Ahhh, it’s never a smooth road, but that’s what makes the journey fun, right? I’d say a constant challenge is working ON the business rather than IN the business.
As you know, we’re big fans of MODintelechy. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
MODintelechy is a data-driven marketing agency that collaborates with ambitious brands and people on strategy, creative, and technology to optimize their customers’ journey. That’s what you would read on our website.
But who we are at our core is client-centric, strategic thinkers with a point of view that are obsessed with making an impact and driving results – whether that is brand awareness, revenue growth or lead nurturing. We are detail-oriented, ambitious, and empathetic. Simply put, we care like others don’t. And that is what makes us different.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Networking is everything. We are all human and we naturally want to surround ourselves (and work with) people we like and trust. Never stop building meaningful relationships.
And focusing on your own growth. I personally do a lot of reading; lately, I am into biographies. I love learning about people’s stories and what makes them who they are. If you seek it out, anything can be a source of inspiration. Having an open mind is the key.
Contact Info:
- Website: MODintelechy.com
- Instagram: @MODintelechy
- Facebook: @MODintelechy
Image Credits
Tanialee Gonzalez Photography
