Hello, my name is Maria. I have over 8 years of experience in the tech industry, working primarily with early-stage international startups—from pre-seed to Series B. Currently, I’m part of a personal security startup that recently completed its Series B funding round. Alongside that, I’m bootstrapping my own startup, MaxOfJob, which was inspired by the challenges I faced when job hunting in the Canadian market. My background spans a wide range of industries and models, including B2B2C (web and mobile), e-commerce, DTC, marketplaces, and HR management systems. I’ve worked closely with cross-functional teams (development, management, marketing, and sales) both as a solo designer and within small design teams. I bring a solid understanding of business and marketing processes, further strengthened by completing the EO Business Incubators program and a product marketing/growth course taught by the former Head of Growth at Scale.ai. As a designer with experience in conducting customer interviews, I’ve developed strong listening and analytical skills that significantly enrich my mentorship and coaching sessions. I’ve mentored over 45 designers through the ADPlist platform. Also, in 2024, I completed an ICF Level 1 accredited coaching program, several career development courses, and have accumulated 100+ hours of coach-specific education and 45+ client coaching hours. Challenges I’ve navigated: 1. Unexpected immigration: I understand the stress of adapting to a new environment, job market, and financial uncertainty. 2. Career and market transitions: I shifted from environmental engineering to UI/UX design, and later evolved into a founder and coach. 3. Burnout and work-related stress: Especially common among startup founders and tech professionals. (Note: My coaching is focused on actionable strategies and steps. It is not a substitute for therapy, and I do not hold clinical credentials.) How I can be helpful to you: 1. Coaching (one-time or ongoing): Life coaching, career coaching, stress management, or small business coaching. 2. Mentorship (one-time or ongoing): Especially helpful for designers and professionals in product-related roles. 3. Product & Design Consulting: For companies or individuals seeking expert guidance on product strategy, UX/UI design, or growth initiatives.