We had the good fortune of connecting with Viorela (Via) Monk and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Viorela (Via), what role has risk played in your life or career?
I’ve never considered myself a huge risk-taker. I’m naturally someone who likes to plan ahead, gather information, and make informed decisions. However, one of the biggest lessons I learned about risk came during my time at ParaCore during COVID.

During that period, many businesses understandably pulled back on their budget because there was so much uncertainty. At the same time, I had the opportunity to work alongside what I still consider the ultimate dream team, helping clients navigate an incredibly challenging time. What stood out to me was that the businesses that continued investing strategically and stayed focused on the long-term goals came out ahead. I watched several companies grow from seven figures to eight figures during that time, and one even went on to become publicly traded.

That experience taught me that sometimes the biggest risk is not taking one at all. Since then, I’ve approached risk as something that should be calculated and intentional, not avoided. That mindset played a major role in giving me the confidence to start Vimo Digital. There was no guarantee it would succeed, but I believed in the vision and knew that growth rarely happens without a willingness to step outside your comfort zone.

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What should our readers know about your business?
I started Vimo Digital to make paid media more accessible for small and medium-sized businesses. I saw firsthand how much of a difference the right strategy and support could make for a growing business. That experience inspired me to start Vimo Digital in 2022, with a focus on helping businesses grow through transparent, strategic paid media advertising.

My career started in the nonprofit world, where I spent eight years focused on helping organizations make an impact in the community. From there, I transitioned into digital marketing and eventually led paid media efforts at a full-service agency. While I gained incredible experience, I also saw a gap in the market. Many businesses were looking for expert guidance to grow, but didn’t have the budgets or resources to work with larger agencies. Seeing that reality firsthand inspired me to start Vimo Digital.

What sets us apart is our commitment to partnership, transparency, and doing what’s right for the client. We focus on building strategies that align with each client’s goals and stage of growth. Whether we’re helping a service-based business generate qualified leads or a product-based business increase sales, we focus on building strategies that drive measurable results and sustainable growth.

Building a business hasn’t always been easy. Like most entrepreneurs, there have been challenges, uncertainty, and plenty of moments where I’ve had to trust myself and take calculated risks. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that growth often requires stepping outside your comfort zone. Starting Vimo Digital required believing in my vision long before there was proof it would work.

What I’m most proud of is the impact we’ve had on our clients. At the end of the day, every lead, sale, enrollment, or new customer represents a real opportunity for a business owner. That’s something we never take for granted. I want people to know that behind every campaign is a team that genuinely cares, takes ownership, and is invested in the success of our clients.

Woman with long wavy hair in black jumpsuit smiling, standing in a modern living room with fireplace and chairs.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting for a week, I’d want them to experience the things that make Arizona special beyond the typical tourist attractions. We would definitely spend a lot of time outdoors because that’s one of my favorite parts of living here.

The trip would start with an early morning hike in the desert before it gets too hot, followed by breakfast and coffee at a local spot. We’d spend time exploring different parts of the Valley, playing a round of golf, and taking a day trip to Sedona to enjoy the scenery and hiking trails. If the timing were right, we’d also head north to enjoy cooler temperatures and maybe even some snowboarding during the winter months.

Food would definitely be a big part of the itinerary. Arizona has so many incredible locally owned restaurants, and I’d want them to experience everything from amazing Mexican food to some of my favorite neighborhood spots with dog-friendly patios. I’m much more interested in finding places with great food and a great atmosphere than checking tourist attractions off a list.

Most importantly, I’d want them to experience the lifestyle that makes Arizona feel like home to me. Some of my favorite moments are the simple ones, which include morning workouts, spending time outdoors, enjoying a great meal with family and friends, and watching an Arizona sunset. Those are the experiences I love most about living here, and the things I’d be most excited to share with someone visiting.

Woman in black dress holding a tablet, standing indoors with large windows behind her.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d give a huge shoutout to Adam Arkfeld, the former owner of ParaCore, before the agency was acquired by a larger full-service agency. He taught me so much about leadership, business ownership, and personal growth throughout my career.

One of the biggest lessons he taught me was that if you wait until you feel “ready,” you’ll probably never start. That’s something I still have to remind myself of on a regular basis because I naturally tend to overthink and want everything to feel fully prepared before moving forward.

From a DISC personality perspective, I naturally lean more toward perfectionism, which can be both a strength and a weakness. While it pushes me to produce high-quality work, it can also lead to overthinking, second-guessing, and delaying things longer than necessary. Adam helped me realize that sometimes things are already good enough to move forward, even if they don’t feel perfect yet. That lesson has played a huge role in both my personal and professional growth.

Website: https://vimodigital.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vimodigital

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

Twitter: https://x.com/vimodigital

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vimodigital

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Two women smiling and working together at a desk with a laptop, against a white brick wall.

Smiling woman in black dress standing behind a wooden table in a decorated indoor space.

Two women are talking at a counter, one with blonde hair in a white blazer, the other with dark hair in a black dress, with a laptop open between them.

Image Credits
Stacey Borrego of Stacey Borrego Photography, Chrissy Blake of Let Me See You Sparkle Photography, and Trisha Horstman of Trisha Rose Photography.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.