403: From CEO to Author to Keynote Speaker: Make Opportunities Happen with Maria Flynn

I’m thrilled to be joined by Maria Flynn, a graduate of our Thought Leader Academy and now the founder and CEO of Ambiologix, a consulting and training company that helps entrepreneurs advance their innovation, grow their potential, and build their businesses.

Maria’s journey from the CEO of Orbis Biosciences, which had a successful acquisition, to becoming an Amazon bestselling author and keynote speaker, is nothing short of inspiring.

We delve into her innovative framework on maximizing T.I.M.E. to make opportunities happen and the delicate balance between patience and urgency.

Maria shares her practical tips on attracting speaking engagements, including paid ones, and the strategies that helped her launch her book successfully.

Key Takeaways:

• Maximizing Time: Learn about Maria’s framework on balancing urgency and patience, and how these concepts apply to entrepreneurial success.
• Visual Storytelling: Discover the engaging visuals Maria uses in her presentations to illustrate the spectrum of urgency and patience.
• Book to Keynote: Understand how Maria transformed the rich content of her book into impactful keynotes and workshops by working with us in the Thought Leader Academy.
• Speaking Engagements: Get insights into Maria’s approach to securing both free and paid speaking engagements and leveraging them for further opportunities.
• Writing Journey: Maria’s discussion about her book writing and launch process, including the importance of community and support.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/403/

Maria’s website: https://makeopportunityhappen.com/

Get a free copy of Maria’s book “Make Opportunity Happen”: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ez9n4ludh6

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Maria Flynn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasflynn/

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 383: Using Their Voices: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads [Part 2]
• Episode 363: From Burned Out to Lit Up: How Cara Houser Turned Her Signature Talk into a Best-Selling Book

Become Bookable Live Online Workshop - April 15, 2026
If you want to speak more but you’re not sure where to start or your efforts haven’t produced the results you want, I’m hosting a live online workshop called “Become Bookable: How to Get Speaking Invitations” on Wednesday, April 15th.

A lot of brilliant women assume they just need to pitch themselves more. But the real reason speakers get invited isn’t because they pitch harder — it’s because they’re positioned as bookable.

In this 3-hour interactive workshop live on Zoom, I’ll show you how speakers actually get invited — and help you clarify the positioning that makes event organizers say yes.

As a podcast listener, use the coupon code “Podcast100” to save $100 on your registration.

Learn more and register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/bookable