A Poulsbo-based business coach brings strategies for change management, niching, and target marketing to financial advisors halfway around the world. Poulsbo, WA—January 16, 2018—Poulsbo resident and internationally-recognized financial advisor coach, Maria Marsala, will deliver the keynote address at the 5th Annual Cafemutual Independent Financial Advisor (CIFA) 2018 conference to be held February 23 in Mumbai, India. Anita Sutrave, Chief Business Officer at Cafemutual, says her team is sparing no effort to make this the premiere industry event. “With every passing year, more delegates attend our event owing to its unique yearly theme. This year, we expect over 600 IFAs across the country to attend,” Sutrave enthuses. “Let’s Talk Business” is the theme for 2018. “The most important goal of this event is to provide actionable tips to help advisors grow their businesses—and Maria does precisely that,” Sutrave states. “She has a deep understanding of an advisor’s business and can really liven up the audience with her sharp wit and insights. Maria has helped thousands of advisors take their businesses to the next level, which makes her an ideal speaker for us.” “Independent financial advisors in India are facing technology changes, new and sometimes uncertain regulations, and savvy investors,” Marsala says. The financial industry in India has been pushing hard to use available technology for only three years, compared to ten years in the United States. “While the U.S. may be ahead in some areas—like implementation of technology, Indian financial advisors can look at our example, avoid making

For Immediate Release   POULSBO-BASED COMPANY CELEBRATES 15th ANNIVERSARY   Poulsbo, WA—December 20, 2013—Poulsbo resident and internationally-recognized executive coach, Maria Marsala, celebrates the 15th Anniversary of her company, Elevating Your Business, which works primarily with financial advisors, planners, and professionals.   Marsala was working as a retail trader and executive on Wall Street when a car accident prompted a career change into life coaching—and in December 1998, Elevating Your Business was born.   “After my accident, I had a lot of time to sit still and think about what I’d really enjoy.  Life coaching complemented the business skills I honed during my 17-year stay on Wall Street.  After all, life happens when you’re running a business!” explains Marsala.  “Today, I enjoy staying close to the financial industry while coaching my clients to transform their practices into superb businesses.”   In recent months, Marsala’s business growth advice has been featured on Staples’ SUCCEED LinkedIn group and its corporate website, Michael Kitces’ Nerd’s Eye View, Investment News, BrightTALK, and FAtoday.   “It’s been a fulfilling journey these past 15 years and I’m so grateful that I took the risk and started this business,” says Marsala.  “When I help my clients earn more, they can give back more—as better employers and more active members of their communities.  And because they help clients reach financial goals, their clients become more active in the community, too!”   Based in Poulsbo, Elevating Your Business was founded in 1998 and works with financial professionals

POULSBO ENTREPRENEUR SELECTED AS “TOP-IDEA MAVEN” BY THE 2014 WOMAN’S ADVANTAGE CALENDAR Maria Marsala’s Advice To Female Business Owners Appears For The Fourth Consecutive Year In The Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar Poulsbo, WA—December 5, 2013—Maria Marsala, business and life coach to financial advisors, contributes sage advice for the fourth time to The Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar. Marsala’s entry, “The right professional brand helps you create higher fees”, was selected from over 5,000 submissions. The Woman’s Advantage 2014 Calendar provides daily sound bites of advice to female business owners from influential women leaders across the US and around the world. It covers key business issues including: organization, promotion, sales, and human resources. “If you want to earn more, especially in the current economy, you must brand yourself in a way that appeals to your ideal client,” observes Marsala. “If you have high net-worth clients, you’ll hurt yourself by creating your own marketing materials. Hire professionals to create a personal brand that reflects you at your most authentic—at your highest level possible.” Mary Cantando, Growth Expert of The Woman’s Advantage, announced that Marsala’s advice will appear on February 21st of the 2014 calendar. “Maria’s quote was selected because it was powerful, yet easy to understand. Her idea is relevant to almost every woman in business today,” says Cantando. “Women business owners and those who dream of starting a business will learn so much from the advice provided by Maria and the other 364 successful women quoted in

For Immediate Release Maria Marsala 360-271-8418 [email protected] 15th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION BENEFITS FINANCIAL ADVISORS Elevating Your Business, Announces New Date For "Business Expansion On Steroids" Workshop Poulsbo, WA--November 12, 2013-Poulsbo resident and internationally-recognized executive coach, Maria Marsala, celebrates the 15th Anniversary of her company, Elevating Your Business, which works primarily with financial advisors, planners, and professionals. On December 10, 2013, Marsala will conduct her "Business Expansion On Steroids" workshop simultaneously with participants in Kitsap County and online. Marsala was working as a retail trader and executive on Wall Street when a car accident prompted a career change into life coaching--and in December 1998, Elevating Your Business was born. "After my accident, I had a lot of time to think about what I'd really enjoy. Life coaching complemented the strategic planning skills I honed during my time on Wall Street. After all, life happens when you're running a business!" explains Marsala. "All my clients complete a business and marketing plan. The one-page version I teach is especially important for firms that want to expand. Designed for daily use, it's a flexible, living document focused on the critical actions needed for growth." In recent months, Marsala's business growth advice has been featured on Staples' SUCCEED LinkedIn group and its corporate website, Michael Kitces' Nerd's Eye View, Investment News, BrightTALK, and FAtoday. "It's been a fulfilling journey these past 15 years and I'm so grateful," says Marsala. "I can't think of a better way to celebrate Elevating Your Business' anniversary than

NOTE:  I have been a user of LinkedFA for many years.  I am now in a partnership with FA Today to provide their financial advisory audience with (to start) content. I look foward to seeing you on the new site-- Maria Marsala --------------------------------------   New York, NY - October 8, 2013 - FA today, Inc. has acquired linkedFA, transitioning its members to a digital media platform for Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs) only at FAtoday.com. "We designed linkedFA as a social media company to address industry and firm regulations and enable financial advisors to use social media to communicate with their clients," said Jason Bishara, who was the founder of linkedFA and now serves as President of FA today, Inc. "Instead, we ended up with almost 12K independent financial advisors communicating with each other. Now, we're recognizing what's really important to them — creating a platform that provides value to all IFAs. With FA today, we're becoming an advocate for IFAs and delivering economies of scale to help them lower their costs and compete more effectively. This transition is an incredible advancement for our members and the entire community of IFAs." "I am proud to be a part of an excellent, experienced team focused on being both a resource and an advocate for the Independent Financial Advisors," said Rance Masheck, CEO and co-founder at FA today, Inc. Masheck is a former director of TD Ameritrade with responsibility for the Trade Architect online trading platform and brokerage integration projects.

Poulsbo, WA—May 14, 2013—Maria Marsala, a Kitsap-area based consultant and executive coach, has been chosen as one of four experts featured during Staples’ Small Business Month promotion, “Moving Your Business Forward”.   Staples is showing appreciation for its small business customers by featuring helpful articles by the top four contributors to its LinkedIn group, named SUCCEED: Small Business Network.  Staples is also hosting a “Push It Forward” contest, which will award three businesses $50,000 in free digital marketing.   Staples’ Small Business Month promotion began on May 1st and will continue through May 31st.  Marsala’s contribution will be featured on the SUCCEED group and the Staples website  May 19th through May 25th.  Her article offers small business members “Top Five Tips to Grow a Customer Base”.   “I’m honored to have been the first small business owner contacted to be a part of Staples’ small business appreciation month,” says Marsala.  “Staples’ SUCCEED group on LinkedIn has 18,000+ members and is an extremely engaged group.  I enjoy reading, posting, and answering questions each week.  One of my questions received more than 225 responses—the group is a great resource for me and the other members.”   Ms. Marsala is a former Wall Street trader who trained as a coach in 1998 and was named one of the Top 30 International Coaching Gurus in 2011 by Coaching Gurus International.  She has been a speaker since 1981, has been published in several business magazines, and presents numerous workshops, including Business Growth Planning

Poulsbo, WA—May 18, 2012—Local organizations, associations, and schools can raise funds with AVON’s best-selling products. Since the “AVON Foundation for Women” started in 1955, it is the world’s largest corporate-affiliated philanthropy and it has raised more than $860 million in more than 50 countries for causes most important to women – breast cancer research and efforts to reduce domestic and gender violence.  With AVON, Independent Sales Representatives are able to host independent local fundraisers to raise money for causes that are important to them, their customers and consumers with AVON’s popular products.   “Since the 1990’s, I’ve noticed that more limitations are being placed on fundraising efforts," states Maria Marsala, AVON Independent Sales Representative. "In my area there are fewer car washes because they can negatively impact the environment.  I have seen most long-standing fundraising efforts become extinct because it is arguably no longer safe to send children door-to-door."   AVON fundraisers offer many advantages: There’s minimal paperwork to complete No need to buy merchandise up front Door-to-door selling not required The average customer order is more than $15 All products are backed by AVON’s 100% satisfaction guarantee The potential of funds raised is up to 40% of the orders received An organization can have its money in as little as three weeks   “AVON’s reputation for top-quality products opens doors and makes selling simple,” adds Marsala.  “Skin So Soft, Bug Guard, and AVON’s Bubble Bath are just a few of America’s favorite products, and unlike gift

For Immediate Release Contact:  Maria Marsala Elevating Your Business 19906 Hamilton CT NE, Suite A Poulsbo, WA 98370   [email protected] 425-440-9659   “Local Entrepreneur Selected ‘Top-Idea Maven’ by 2012 Woman’s Advantage Calendar” Thought-Provoking Advice for Female Business Owners Available Today Poulsbo, WA—October 27, 2011—Maria Marsala, business strategist and coach to accountants and financial advisors, contributes sage advice for the second time to The Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar.   Marsala’s entry, “It’s OK to fire your clients”, was selected from over 5,000 submissions. The Woman’s Advantage 2012 Calendar provides sound bites of advice to female business owners from influential women leaders across the US and Canada.  It covers key business issues including: organization, promotion, sales, and human resources.   “What I like about this calendar is that it doesn’t tell you what to do,” observes Marsala.  “It makes you think, and then you can decide to make some changes—or not.”   Marsala was recognized earlier this year as one of the World's Top 30 Coaching Gurus by Coaching Gurus International.  She garnered high ratings for her original ideas and the impact they have on business growth.   Mary Cantando, Growth Expert of The Woman’s Advantage, announced that Marsala’s advice will appear on May 18th of the 2012 calendar, due to be released today.   “Maria’s quote was selected because it was powerful, yet easy to understand.  Her idea is relevant to almost every woman in business today,” says Cantando.  “Women financial practitioners will learn so much from

Poulsbo, WA—June 30, 2011—Poulsbo resident and native New Yorker, Maria Marsala—a.k.a. Coach Maria—was recognized as one of the World's Top 30 Coaching Gurus, a distinction awarded by Coaching Gurus International.  http://tinyurl.com/coachguru Coaching Gurus International surveyed 22,000 business owners, consultants, academics, and MBAs from around the globe to nominate top professionals in the coaching industry.  Candidates were rated on originality of ideas, practicality of ideas, coaching results, presentation style, international outlook, impact of ideas, quality of publications and writings, dispersion of publications and writings, public opinion, and the guru factor. The survey asked participants to vote for the world’s most influential coaching professionals from an estimated pool of 100,000 candidates worldwide.  The candidates were rated on their ability to positively impact clients’ personal, financial, and business abilities.  The coaches were also evaluated on their success in applying coaching principals to their own organizations and their stand for business excellence around the world. Receiving over 1,000 votes, Marsala garnered high ratings for her original ideas and the impact they have on business growth.  She secured position number twenty-five on the guru list.  “I am humbled to be in the company of my personal mentors—coaches like Tony Robbins and Bob Burg,” Marsala stated. About Maria Marsala Maria Marsala is an internationally-known author and speaker with 35 years of business experience.  She is a graduate of Coach U, founding member of Coachville, and a former Wall Street Trader.  Her firm, Elevating Your Business, was founded in 1998 and specializes in fast-tracking

Maria Marsala Selected As a “Top-Idea Maven” by The Woman’s Advantage Entrepreneur’s Advice Featured in 2010 Woman’s Advantage Calendar Poulsbo, WA – Maria Marsala, Profitability Expert at Elevating Your Business was selected from over 3,500 submissions to be featured in The 2010 Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar. The calendar provides advice for women business owners from influential women leaders across the US and Canada. Mary Cantando, Growth Expert of The Woman’s Advantage, today announced that Maria’s advice will be included in the calendar which is to be released this month. “Maria Marsala’s quote was selected because it was simply powerful yet easy to understand. Her idea “Excuses are soul-killers” is relevant to almost every woman in business today.” says Cantando. “Women business owners and those who dream of starting a business will learn so much from the advice provided by Maria and the other successful women quoted in the calendar.” The Woman’s Advantage 2010 Calendar provides sound bites of advice on key business issues including: organization, promotion, sales, and human resources. About Maria Marsala Maria Marsala, a refugee from Wall Street, is an internationally known profitability expert and speaker who supports women businesses owners to run highly profitable, more productive businesses while they live a high-quality lifestyle. She’s also a licensed One Page Business Plan® Consultant and member of the National Association of Female Executives, Seattle Philanthropic Advisors Network, and recently founded the Women Business Advisors Alliance. About Mary Cantando: Mary Cantando is a nationally recognized expert