Hey there!

The last 12 months brought more change than any other point in my career, and it pushed me to take a step I had been circling for years. I won’t spoil the full story here, but it starts with a lot of transition, a lot of reflection, and one very real moment where I knew it was time to bet on myself.

If you’ve ever felt the pull to build something on your own terms or wondered what the first year actually looks like when you take that step, this month’s spotlight will probably hit close to home.

A look back at the year I finally bet on myself.

Before this year even began, the idea of going on my own had been building quietly for a long time. After going through 6 acquisitions in my career, I learned how fast priorities shift, how often teams get restructured, and how easy it is to lose your sense of direction inside someone else’s roadmap. Each acquisition taught me something new, but they also made one thing clear. I was ready to build something that I could shape myself. Something stable, intentional, and aligned with how I actually work.

That experience pushed me to get honest about what I wanted the next chapter of my career to look like. It was time to create my own path instead of adapting to another company’s transition plan.

2025 started with an idea in the back of my mind. What if I finally went out on my own? What if I took everything I learned across banks, credit unions, and fintech and built something from scratch that reflected how I actually work and what I value.

By April, that thought turned into a real decision. I took the plunge, stepped away from the a full-time role, and committed to building Maven Advisory full time. It was exciting and terrifying at the same time. There is no framework for waking up one day and realizing the only person responsible for sales, marketing, operations, invoicing, deliverables, and growth is you. It forces a level of clarity you simply do not experience inside a larger organization.

There have been plenty of hair on fire days. Days where I am managing client work, planning events, fixing my website, posting content, and doing three intro calls before lunch. But the tradeoff has been worth every minute. I found the niche I always hoped existed. Helping founders, operators, and financial institutions make real progress has been the most fulfilling work of my career.

The highlight of this year has been the people. The founders I have mentored through RevTech Labs. The clients who trusted me with their strategy. The organizations that opened the door for collaboration. The Midwest fintech community that showed up as Holly and I built The GTM Loop. Every conversation reminded me why I wanted to build something of my own in the first place.

As I look ahead to 2026, the focus is on deepening and expanding what I started. Maven Advisory will continue to grow with a clearer and more structured offering for founders, fintech teams, and financial institutions that want practical support rooted in how this industry really works. I want to continue shaping programs that help teams sharpen their message, strengthen sales execution, and create predictable growth. The GTM Loop will keep evolving as a Chicago based network where operators can share honest conversations and practical guidance. I also plan to spend more time helping credit unions and banks modernize how they partner with fintech and how they approach go-to-market strategy.

And on a personal note, I am excited to bring a new project to life with my friend and colleague Mariana Carvalho. We have started working on a children’s book centered on financial wellness, inspired by our experience as Latinas and immigrants. Money is emotional and cultural and we want kids to have tools many of us never did.

This year taught me that choosing yourself is not the easy path, but it is the right one. It pushes you to grow, to listen, to lead with clarity, and to stay honest about what you want to build and who you want to build it with.

To every client who trusted me, every founder who let me be part of their journey, every partner who said yes, and every person in my community who cheered me on, thank you. None of this happens alone.

Here is to the first year of Maven Advisory and to the work ahead.

Thinking about going out on your own? Read this first.

Deciding to step into advisory work or start your own company is not just a career change. It changes how you think about stability, value, and responsibility. Being good at your craft matters, but it does not replace the need for structure.

If you have been thinking about taking the leap, here are a few areas worth getting right early:

• Get clear on who you serve.
  If you cannot describe your ideal client in one clean sentence, selling will feel harder than it needs to be. A focused audience makes your message clearer and your conversations easier to start.

• Be explicit about what you offer and what you do not.
  Flexibility is useful. Being undefined is not. When scope is unclear, your time disappears fast and your positioning becomes fuzzy right along with it.

• Build a simple, repeatable sales motion.
  Referrals help, but they are not a strategy on their own. You still need a reliable way to start conversations, qualify interest, and move opportunities forward without reinventing the process every week.

• Price for sustainability, not comfort.
  Keeping your rate low may feel safer at the start, but it usually limits you later. Your pricing should reflect your experience and support the business you are building, not just cover this month’s bills.

• Protect your confidence from your cash flow.
  Some months will be smooth and some will not. If your sense of progress rises and falls with revenue, the work starts to feel heavier than it needs to be.

Going out on your own or stepping into an advisory role can be rewarding in meaningful ways, but it is rarely easier. It takes intention, patience, and a willingness to build beyond just delivering the work.

The people who stick with it are not chasing quick wins. They are building something stable enough to last.

Sales & Marketing Tips: What changed when my name was on the invoice.

When I went out on my own, selling stopped being about a product and started being about trust. There was no brand to hide behind and no organization doing the positioning for me. Every conversation required clarity about what I actually do and how I help.

Here are a few things I had to get right quickly:

• Be specific about your value.
  Vague language sounds safe, but it does not create confidence. Clients want to understand exactly how you help, not just that you “do strategy.”

• Price with intention.
  Low pricing may feel easier at first, but it usually creates problems later. Your rate should reflect the impact you deliver, not just the time you spend.

• Set boundaries early.
  Clear scope makes better work and better relationships. Trying to say yes to everything usually has the opposite effect.

• Lead with understanding.
  Conversations go further when they start with curiosity, not pitching.

When your name is on the invoice, clarity becomes your strongest sales tool.

A Special Thank You to RevTech Labs

One of the most meaningful moments of this year came from RevTech Labs, a community that has been a big part of my journey as I built Maven Advisory.

I was honored to receive the Outstanding Mentor Award, and it was a reminder of why this work matters so much to me. Working alongside founders as they clarify their direction, build confidence in their decisions, and take real steps forward has been one of the most rewarding parts of this year.

I am deeply grateful to the RevTech team and the founders who trusted me with their stories and their businesses. Being part of your journey has been a privilege, and I am excited about what we will continue building together.

The GTM Loop Podcast Latest Episode

In this episode, we get tactical. We walk through the tools we rely on every day to run our GTM motion, from CRMs to automation hacks. We talk about why spreadsheets are not a sales process, how to pick the right CRM for your team size, and the integrations that actually make your life easier.

🎧 Listen here: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or Web

Catch the conversation and stay in the loop.

That’s it for this bonus issue of Maven Mindset. If you’ve been looking for a strategic partner who brings clarity and real-world experience, you’re in the right place.

If this resonates with you, let’s chat! And if it was helpful, remember to share! ✌🏼🩷

Until next time,

Angi 

P.S. Hope is not a strategy.

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