Meet Monica Castillo | Business Consultant, S.T.A.R.S. Producer, Ceramic Artists

We had the good fortune of connecting with Monica Castillo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monica, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think every decision is about weighing risk, whether it be ‘should I have a cup of coffee this late?’ or ‘how should I approach this client about a hard subject?’. I think everyone plays out the benefits vs the disadvantages throughout the day whether it’s knowingly or more subconsciously. As I’ve moved through my own consulting business, the risk I weigh the most is how projects fit on my calendar; looking at any areas that might not go according to plan to make sure I can protect other clients’ project needs. Things go wrong all the time during projectsl, I expect it. I just try to do my best to make sure I protect the time I need for all clients.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I fell into my current career and can’t belive I’m still in restaurant & hospitality consulting 7 years later. In 2015 I was working on opening my own restaurant when I was diagnosed with cancer. My restaurant plan was immediate dissolved. Some good friends (knowing my situation) who were also opening a restaurant asked if I wanted to do some light consulting; this was work that I could do at my own pace and more remotely. It was perfect for what I needed at that time. I feel like this unintentional move was a blessing and a curse. Not realizing that I would move my career into full time consulting, I was less inclined to build contacts and network more. Most of my beginning work was just helping friends and then the word of mouth took off. I feel the blessing part was that I was able to build my work slow and steadily and really pay attention to they type of projects I wanted to take and what I didn’t want to do any more.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Assuming an out of state friend is here, the first night in town is Mexican food for sure a little Otro or Gallo Blanco or Huarachis. Barcoa for an agave night cap. A drive up north for a Sedona hike and a stay in Flagstaff is in order some Pizzicletta and some fresh air. I feel people don’t realize how diverse Arizona is. Back in the valley, I’d say Phoenix Art Museum and MIM are great way to fill a the day. Since my work and friends are mostly foodies it’s a world tour of local restaurants: Fame Caffe, Lux Coffee, Parlor, Fat Ox, City of Spice, Pho Thanh. This list on my end is endless. If we could make it to Tucson, the Desert Museum would be in order. I’m so proud of our desert and love teaching people about it, if not the Desert Museum then It would have to be the Botanical Gardens here in Phoenix or Boyce Thompson Arboretum.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Currently my mentor is Judy Pearson, writer, non-profit founder and all around amazing human. Judy founded A 2nd Act, which is where we met. A 2nd Act teaches women that great things can happen to their lives after cancer. Their fund raiser S.T.A.R.S. (Survivors Tell A Real Story) became an annual event; I participated in S.T.A.R.S. in 2019 and she asked me to take the baton of producing the event. She is mentoring me through the ins and outs of the non-profit world and how to be better at networking, compassion and maneuvoring hard decissions. She’s the best.

Website: starsarizona.org

Instagram: @mxconsulting, @M_X_Ceramics, @starsarizona

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicaxcastillo/