Joyfully Ambitious: Maria Grillo
The founder of this workplace and personal development organization helps clients dig deep to discover their best, most balanced selves.
Not only does Maria Grillo have an amazing company name — Crunchy Bread Culture Studio — but she provides an essential service: she helps organizations and individuals better align with themselves and/or each other while celebrating personal expression. Using an I/O Psychology approach rooted in kindness, care and creativity, Maria helps bring out the best in people, resulting in open communication, improved collaboration, a beautiful company culture, and a better self-understanding — all with the ultimate goal to live a high-quality life.
As for the name? Maria believes the baguette is the perfect metaphor for a quality life, with the beautiful mashup of crusty exterior and warm, fluffy interior. We couldn’t agree more.
*Bonus! Through the month of October, Maria is offering a crostini creative appetizer to work and personal development. The special includes a two week intensive collaboration for individuals ($475) to help define personal stories and values; or a one-week sprint for business owners ($650) focusing on values alignment.
Email hellocrunchies@crunchybreadculturestudio with the subject October Crostini.
Name: Maria Grillo
Pronouns: She/her
Website: crunchybreadculturestudio.comSocial media: @crunchybreadculturestudio
Linkedin: Crunchy Bread Culture Studio and Maria Grillo
Was there a moment when you knew you were absolutely on the right path?
Yes! When I went back to school for Industrial-Organizational Business Psychology, I remember beaming with enthusiasm after my first Organizational Behavior class. That whole week I remember gushing, ‘I can't believe this is an actual thing! This is what I've been doing all along!’
How do you handle self-doubt?
My inner monologue became quite destructive after my dad died in 2016. Watching him suffer through terminal illness while I was in my mid-20s turned my brain into absolute mush. I questioned everything after that, including my own purpose, power and path. Having made my way through that darkness — and especially after deciding it was time to start my own thing — I now respond to my self-doubt by cataloging all of the obstacles I've overcome while staying true to my own values. How easy it could have been not to make it to the other side. I try not to minimize any of it.
I also find that audibly expressing ‘I f$@#ing love you’ to myself with conviction works like a charm, too. And yes, the f-word is necessary — doesn't possess the same power without it. When all of the above doesn't work, I get really clear about my needs. Then, I choose someone in my trusted support network to express my raw feelings, what I think I need and ask for their take based on what they're hearing. I've become very diligent about filtering out the people who don't have my best interests at heart, which works wonders on your self-efficacy, too. I can wholeheartedly take the council I'm given without investing too much energy on considering the source.
Is there a life or business mantra that you live by?
Yes. I credit a big portion of who I am to Maya Angelou. When I was in the third or fourth grade, I found a book of hers in our school library. It included the quote, ‘If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.’ For the last 20+ years, that quote alone has informed how I confront struggle, pain and opportunity. It helps me to resist complaining and orients me into meaningful action.
How do you find joy in moments of uncertainty?*
Snagging the middle seat, middle row of a movie theater by myself with popcorn, Cherry Coke and Milk Duds in hand. No phones in sight. Ideally among other film lovers. The movies are like my mental/emotional playground. I find answers to chaos or uncertainty by getting lost in stories from diverse perspectives. It helps me feel connected in wonder amid the seemingly disconnected.
Is there another woman in your field that you admire?
I define my field as observational culture design, which emphasizes the artistic expression of cohesively connecting the bigger picture to satisfyingly smooth people and environment dynamics. With that in mind, Nicole Crowder is a craftswoman that I absolutely admire. She values slow creation to breathe life into home or commercial furnishings through upholstery design. She designs with such soulful purpose that dynamically honors the history of the pieces she reinvents. The textiles, patterns and color combinations she selects are full-sensory satiating to me. Her work is a catalyst for meaningful connection.
What does community mean to you?
Back in February, while I was meeting with an interviewee for some light market research I was conducting for my business, I received some incredible advice from a woman who built her career in organizational development back in the 80s and beyond: ‘Maria, people either get it, or they don't. Surround yourself with people that get it.’ That's community to me. A group of people that get you in your rawest form.
How do you cultivate community?
Prioritizing dignity and gestures of care over everything. Love is a learned behavior.
What is your favorite part of your work?
When my dad was nearing the end of his life, I remember standing in the hallway as his doctor asked me what I thought my dad would want his quality of life to be. Despite having many conversations with my dad about dying, it was numbing to confront the reality. After he passed, I became relentless about asking myself that very question, which inspired a whole new way of being personally and professionally. It brought me to business ownership on my terms. My favorite part of my work is that I get to help workplaces, teams and individuals consider and design experiences that honor genuine quality living. I've never felt more creatively free or aligned.
What is your favorite part of your day?
The whole ritual of waking up, which is usually some combination of early morning banter with my darling, opening the windows to hear the birds sing, receiving a Morning, Sunshine! text from my mom, humming along or stretching to good music, and taking in fresh air on a walk to my favorite local coffee shop, Blackberry Market. Good vibes beget good vibes!
What inspires you?
I love finding unique business applications by getting lost in worlds unknown. Secrets of the Whales, The Elephant Whisperers, Spielberg, Ask Dr. Ruth, The Last Dance — all are documentaries that I watch on repeat. I'm equally fascinated by the stories around me, too. For example, someone like my mom moving to an entirely new state in her early 60s and seeking to define life beyond widowhood. Or my nephew and nieces encouraging me to be brave in my acceptance of reptiles or insects. (Though, I still won't hold a snake no matter how much they try.) Even partnering with Week of The Website! Seeing Kelsey and Mallory operationalize a website design system that empowers business owners every step of the way with no surprises, just ease and partnership? Brilliant. Magic is everywhere if we stay present with the world around us.
