Today we’d like to introduce you to Monika Mueller.
Monika, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I recall being excited to the “white stuff” that lined the streets of America in every movie I saw as a young child. The excitement of sitting on that oh-so-large jet liner as a 7-year-old, moving everything we had (which was 4 suitcases and $500 dollars). There was a lot of anticipation of what our lives would be like in the States. We landed in Buffalo and seeing snow for the first time was thrilling. To be honest, that thrill was lost after a couple of months of not being able to feel my toes or hands because we lacked an understanding of the impact of freezing temperatures. Looking back, growing up with a single mother, an immigrant who barely spoke English, was difficult, a constant struggle to feed ourselves and use what others had thrown away. However, in those moments, I was happy. I was a happy child, content with what I had and grateful for the opportunities I saw in everything. If I had to tie where I am to where I came from, the biggest and most important skill I learned through our immigrant life was resilience. There isn’t much you can throw at me that I cannot handle. Change excites me; challenges are met with confidence of solutions; struggles are met with optimism. I owe that to my mom. I saw her do all of those things. She became a computer programmer over 35 years ago in an era where very few women worked in technology. I can’t say that peaked my interest. It wasn’t until I was graduating from my MBA program, that my Dean recognized a skill in me of solution crafting and referred me to his neighbor, a Partner at Ernst & Young. After just a few days working for E&Y, I realized I had been bitten by the consulting bug. I get great satisfaction working with clients to understand their pain points, and figuring out if and how we can help them. I also marveled at the caliber of people I worked with and learned so much from. I quickly moved up the ranks in consulting and decided to begin working at OnStar. Even at OnStar, I didn’t stray far from consulting by managing IBM and Deloitte. I gained a new appreciation for my clients, one that you can only get from being in their shoes. At some point, babies (mine!) started to enter my life. I tried working while raising my first, but it was hard, really hard. My mother had told me many times that a woman can have it all, but not all at the same time. So, I left my job at OnStar to raise my son and have my daughter. During this time, we lived in Germany, exploring the Black Forest and eating a lot of cake. After a few years, we moved to Atlanta to be near my mom. A few years later, after time spent working at home, I knew it was time to for me to be back in the workforce. I was referred to my current employer, Daugherty Business Solutions. Daugherty is this gem of a local consulting model. A place where I can combine my passion for consulting and my equal passion for family and community. The size of this company allows anyone with drive to come in and put their fingerprints on the evolution of the business. I found this empowering and decided to do just that. I have had many responsibilities in the Atlanta office from opening corporate citizenship programs to defining solution offerings to managing the office and accounts. This unique environment has allowed me to take control of my career, to progress across disciplines and to elevate my responsibilities. It’s refreshing to have control of your career and make a difference.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
A smooth road is boring! The road has been windy, bumpy, and sometimes with blind spots, but always in full view of great scenery with an ability for me to control the speed limit.
I have experienced struggles and growing pains, individually and as a company. We have doubled in size in the last four years and my responsibilities have grown. I have learned that stretching can be uncomfortable and leave some scars but it is always worth it. The best advice I received when I began working as a consultant was that I would know, at best, seventy percent of what I needed to know to be successful for any role. The other thirty percent would require accelerated learning, leveraging resources and grit. It’s that thirty percent that exponentially grows you in your career.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Daugherty Business Solutions – what should we know?
Daugherty is a local based consulting company. We provide services from strategy through execution, which in itself is unique. We are focused on practical solutions that bring real value, delivered by consultants you’d want to have a beer (or martini) with after work. We have great solutions and people. Daugherty – Atlanta won eight awards last year, ranging from Fastest Growing Consulting Company to Best Places to Work, and we have been recognized for our Health and Wellness program. I’m proud that for the most part, these awards were won based on direct input from our consultants. I’ve tried to create a culture that is serious about work, but fun at the same time. We spend so much of our time at work, we should enjoy what we do and whom we do it with.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
First and foremost, my mom. She’s my biggest cheerleader and critic. You always need someone in your life that has your back but is honest about the stupid things you might be doing…she does not hold back. Mentors are important, and I have had them, but I realize that what we all need are champions. These are folks that understand the value you bring and advocate on your behalf.
Contact Info:
- Address: Daugherty Business Solutions
3438 Peachtree Road, Suite 950
Atlanta, Georgia 30326 - Website: https://www.daugherty.com/
- Phone: 404.760.5400
- Email: monika.mueller@daugherty.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dbs1985/
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