“Maria is an expert in her field of work. We have hired her on several occasions and each time she has exceeded our expectations. Her presentations make you get out of your comfort zone and give you the confidence to implement your ideas.” - Rachel Stone, President/CEO, Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
“I have now worked with Maria in several different environments from chamber events to business networking trainings. Maria is one of the strongest, most trustworthy, loyal, and brilliant business entrepreneurs I have ever had the pleasure of working with. She is and has been one of my biggest assets and resources in my growth as a business person. Through Connections, Maria has helped me make the most of my networking time. She trains you how to make every introduction a true business connection. Every business person would be lucky to have Maria as a connection, associate, speaker, and/or trainer.” -Seth Flowers, Sales Manager, UniFirst
“Maria’s passion is to bring you to the highest possible success in your field. Maria is CONNECTED and will help you meet the people you need to meet. As a personal business coach, she is adept at recognizing challenges that hold you back from true success and then providing realistic strategies for turning them into strengths.” - Donna Woolam, Diamond Infinity Designer, Home and Garden Party
“Maria Elena helps you define and focus business goals to create appropriate relationships. You will experience what an effective relationship looks like.” - Stephen Paz, Vice President, Careington Corporation
“Coach Maria Elena has helped get me back on track with her insights and understanding of good business practices. She takes the time to really understand my needs and my business!” - Jo Fite, Senior Director, Mary Kay Cosmetics
“Maria is an expert on marketing a business, from initial concept to execution. Using her methods, a business can get moving toward achieving its goals and objectives quickly. She is an expert facilitator as well and is adept in structuring encounters so she quickly gets you to enunciate your strategies and helps you mightily to identify the sequential actions required to implement these strategies.” - Mott Williamson, ROCG Avatar Consulting
“She provides the tools to use to attain profitability through networking.” – Mark Hill, Owner, The Travel Guy
“You are great! Thanks so much on the training about online presence and its advantages.” – John Brenner, Commercial Insurance Sales
“Very informative about social networking and online identity.” - Don Hickman, Hickman Sales
“If it’s growth you want, you’ve got to attend her workshop.” – Chuck Green, Owner/President, CGreens
“Maria is an excellent coach and motivational speaker – I highly recommend her.” – Amy Mathews, Owner, Girl Friday Rescue LLC
“A highly interactive program on building online identity and community.” – Kathlyn Cunningham, Executive Director, Buy American Today
“Maria Elena gives the tools and information needed to get people to refer you more business. She also is excellent in covering how important your on-line presence is.” – Dustin Donley, Personal Clothier
“She is an expert in her field – highly motivational and inspirational” – Tiffany Blakely, Owner, Blakely Insurance
“Valuable info presented with passion!” - Trish Tharp, Southwest Realty
“Lots of info! Learned what is the best fit for each page online.” - Letticia Martinez, General Manager, Univision
“You really gave me the confident to actually set up accounts, pages, and a community online to better connect with our families. What a great seminar to enable individuals and businesses the ability to grow exponentially.” - Adrianne Clifton, Director of Admissions and Marketing, Trinity School
“Maria Elena presents programs with excellent on how to present myself to other businesses and network properly” - Marva Willis, Administrative Manager, Barbed Cross Construction, LLC
“Maria Elena provides great, easy to implement ideas. Her approach is a valuably different approach to referrals.” – Mark Mersman, President, Mersman Capital Management
“Very insightful. Good resources to increase image.” - Christa Dobbs, Communications Director, Grande Communications
“Her training is so very beneficial – Maria did great and give you a lot of good knowledge.” – Lisa Ann Torres, Teacher’s Assistant, MISD
“So many helpful hints on what you can apply and try!” – Mike Evans, Manager
“Thanks for direct info on what this is all about and how to set up my online presence.” – Ruben Vargas, Jr., Retailer, Trendy Ts
“The presentation is great and easy to catch and learn.” – Rosie Rodriguez, Chamber Manager, Andrews Chamber of Commerce
“Many, many great tips – just wish we had more time.” – Adriana Jaso, Community Liason, Midland College
“This was fantastic! Much, much more than I expected. I learned how to network effectively, with a solid tool to work with. This is a must for anyone who wants to network more successfully, rather than just more often.” – Sean Kusmin, Senior Manager, SendOutCards
“Very fun and informative. You personalized everything and made sure I got my security settings set up.” – Annabell Ramirez, Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
“Wow! So many opportunities – you give what is essential for success!” – Trish Powell, President, Permian Basin Better Business Bureau
“You gave great ideas and really focused with great tools!”- Jenna McGovern, Lease Coordinator, Conoco Phillips
“What a great way to become familiar with Facebook, Twitter, and blogging – how to use them and make them work in your small business marketing.” – Laura Moss, Small Business Consultant
“A must for someone looking to build their business! Great pipeline strategies and real practical tools for the universal marketing cycle.” - Elliot Enres, Entravision
“Awesome! Great tools, handouts and a presentation that’s succinct, goal driven, motivating and realistic” – Brandi Fischer, Director of Sales and Marketing, Hilton
“She provides a focus on branding yourself and your image in business with reminders of how to be concise and memorable in your message” – Roy E. Nelson, State Farm Insurance
“Uplifting, encouraging to believe in yourself! I feel I can introduce myself AND remember other people’s names better!” - Zulema Prieto, Eligibility Coordinator
“GREAT program and so very motivating!” - Sandra Givens, Assistant, MISD
“If you are concerned about how others describe you and want to learn how to speak more succinctly and to be a better listener – Maria Elena provides the leadership topics that are of great interest to me” - Martin Leiker, Records Manager, Cotton, Bledsoe, Tighe & Dawson
“Maria Elena provides important and thought provoking ideas that could be life changing.” -Dale Beikirch, Administrator, Midland College
“A very interactive, participatory program that makes you think about who you are and what you do” - Wayne Boring, First Basin Credit Union
“She provide you ideas to better explain your value and how to tell effective stories. You learn to network with passion and focus.” - Dale Tacy, Technology Consultant
“Maria Elena Duron is an exceptional speaker who is very knowledgeable on the subject of FINDING TIME. I would love to have her do an all day workshop!” – Linda Belk, Hearing Loss Association of America.
“Maria Elena is a great motivator and helps you selt goals and define yourself as a person.” – Tiffany Gunter, Assistant Coordinator, Midland College
“Awesome program to understand how to market clients and then get them to stay with you.” - Amy Daniels, Office Manager, Blakely Insurance/Farmers Insurance
“If you want a better business, increase your self success and have confidence then Maria provides the program for you.” – Kym Montijo, Wedding/Event Planner
“A real program on where to focus your energy, that fits and suits your style, and is specifically for your target market.” - Ronnie Lynch, Central Payment Corporation
“You really focus in on the 10 to 15 seconds you have to capture someone’s attention” – Mark Hume, Workforce Continuing Education
“A great way to learn how to present yourself with ideas that you can utilize in day to day life.” – Mandy Bradley, Safety Coordinator, UMC Automation
“Really an excellent job about marketing yourself and your company.” - Linda Abila, Marketing Supervisor, St. Joseph’s Home Health
“If you want to learn how to brand yourself and get your business out to others – contact Maria Elena” – Brek Moreau, Agency Recruiter, State Farm Insurance
“Maria’s programs help you understand you and yoru team members so that everyone can achieve the same goal.” – Kristi Swearengin, Chemist, MIdland College
“Very well done!” – Chris Jones, Sales Manager, Advantage Payroll Services
“Maria, you have a toolbox of activities to make yourself an effective marketer.” – Brandon Brunson, Director of Community Relations, Retail Electric Provider
“Great. Very informative and geared towards our group very appropriately!” - Lesley Goeres, Branch Manager, Robert Half International
“Very valuable tools for gaining and retaining business delivered in a step-by-step way with energy and excitement!” – Jeannie Solis, Entravision
“Maria is a very positive person and a great encourager. Maria will listen and is a great sounding board for business practices and new concepts.” – Alvin Collins, Owner, Legacy Real Estate
“Maria Elena provides a dynamic, interactive forum to learn networking skills” - Diane Browne, Owner, PostNet
“You really help people market themselves effectively without losing their voice by being remembered positively.” – Katy Crozier, Staffing Manager, Office Team
“She helps you with practical tips to remember names along with being very informative, fun and motivational!” – Freda Kinsey, Library, MISD
“Powerful and informational” - Steven Palma, Manager – Engineering Design, AT&T Wireless
“You are very current on trends and extremely knowledgeable in digital branding! Maria is a pro at personal development who strives for tangible result in what ever she does. She is a driving force behind all of her coaching clients and is always looking for the next business trend. I would advise anyone to use her as a sounding board whenever possible.” – Kristi Hennessey, Area Director, SOS Professional
“Excellent advice. Gives a young professional a lot to think about.” - Elizabeth (Beth) Bennon, Elms, Faris & Co.
“Very powerful! Great training on the best way to treat my customers and agents.” - Lonna Bevel, Broker/Owner/Agent, Southwest Realty
“New material as well as great and POWERFUL reminders of communication skills and effective and time saving communication.” - Cathleen Thurman, Speech Pathologist
“Maria Elena presents programs that are exciting, refreshing and new!” -Mariza Saenz, Computer Teacher
“I thought it was very eye opening.” - Amber Tait, Elms, Faris & Co.
“So much more than I expected! Excellent info for more accurately and effectively describing what you do.” – Elsa Maria Lorenzo, Mona Vie Independent Distributor
“Maria is the best! Her programs will change your life – try it!” – Norma Ramirez, Office Clerk, MISD
“Excellent! Thank you for the great ideas, especially concerning personal branding.” – Raegan Koesler, Attorney, Kerr & McCulloch, P.C. & Permian Abstract
“The power of personal branding is extremely important for both personal and professional growth and success.” - Kim Randolph, Accountemps – Robert Half International
“A must have source! Do not assume that you know everything you need to know.” – Douglas Rollo, Lock Doctors Locksmiths
“Brilliant! A truly eye opening presentation. Never would I have thought that a digital profile could make such a difference in the real world. Kudos, thanks for the advice.” – Ryan Doyle, IT Department, Elms, Faris & Company, LLP
“Some great practices on being aware of yourself” – Cochise Masters, Manager
“If you truly want to learn how to grow and expand your business and personal life via networking – this is what you need.” - Clifford Murphy, Web Development and Graphic Arts Consulting, CKM Design
“This was an excellent reminder of the need to keep up with the digital world.” - Sara Penn, Texas House of Representatives – Speaker Tom Craddick
“Valuable, useable in formation on establishing and expanding your leadership brand” – Laura Moss, Small Business Consultant, Moss Office Solutions.
“Very, very informative and enlightening.” – Sylvia Stephens, Midland College
“Wonderful! I do branding for a living but forget to focus on my personal brand. Thank you Maria! ” - Alisha Brown, Admarc Southwest
“Excellent! I learned so much!” - Brenda Cordero, Midland College
“Learn how to present yourself better in all situations.” – Elicia Sanchez, Director of Financial Service, Waste Control Specialists, LLC
“Excellent! Made me focus – really focus on myself.” – Mary Hiland
“What an interesting and useful prpogram to know what I can change to do a better job with people.” – Janet Rubins, ESL Instructor
“Great presenter with LOTS of information!” – Kay Snyder, City of Midland
“Maria Elena provides ideas and thoughts to help you identify yourself” – Gary Hires, Midland College
“Your presentation was extremely informative and reminded me of some things that I’ve known but haven’t been doing. Thanks!” - Paul Bezinque
“You are an excellent presenter!” - Lovelia Gomez, Midland College
“The presentation was great! I enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you for informing us on so much valuable information. You’re a blessing!!!” - Sonya Luna
“When a person takes a program with Maria Elena and utilizes the tools given, you learn more about yourself and others.” - Tana Baker, Associate Registrar, Midland College
“A presentation that is informative, helpful and very good!” – Don Morris, Westwood Square
“You are dynamic, charismatic, and interesting! It is nearly impossible for me to sit still for more than 15 minutes without falling asleep – however, you held my attention with your clever ideas and enthusiasm!” - Kristine Grenvik
“In past experiences, I am usually bored with motivational speakers because they tend to seem as though they are reading from a book even if they are enthusiastic. Your speech was very personal and it hits real life. It really makes you think about yourself, your contacts and your connections.” – Janie Gipson, Country Crest Apartments
“Very informative and wonderful presentation!” - Ann Cook
“Very, very good and informative!” – Bobby Bowers, Star-Lite Barricade and Sign
“The presentations are so well presented and organized!” - Julie Costilla, Midland College
“I love the way Maria Elena brings the presentation “to life” and the way she gave clear cut examples and exercises.” – Mariela Campos, Midland College
“Motivational and focuses on the positive.” -Dana Wiest, Ector County Independent School District
“Very motivational!” -Annette Rankin, City of Midland
“Even better hearing her a second time!” - Brenda Corn-Adams, Chevron
“The key to all relationships is the relationship you have with yourself – you really get what you want from her programs.” – Rene Hannon, Attendance Clerk, MISD
“Maria Elena is enjoyable, upbeat and energetic. She provides a great “road map” to the first phases of networking and beyond.” – Jeanne Tays, Mortgage Loan Officer
“Great information to improve my life and my family’s lives.” -Lyn Miller, City of Midland
“Great motivational speaker. Your tips make one think about actions and thoughts.” – Malia Albin, Meals on Wheels – Community & Senior Services.
“Very informative presentation.” -Becky Raybrun, Stubbeman Law Firm
“I have thoroughly enjoyed your experiences. Thank you for sharing with enthusiasm and dedication.” -Sherry Humphries, Stubbeman Law Firm
“Maria is excellent. I would like her to address my employees and loved ones.” – Rusty Freeman, Rocky Ford Moving
“I realize how important first impressions are and had feedback from others. This presentation gave me the actions on how to fixt that. GREAT JOB! You have made a difference in my life.” - Danielle Borrego, MISD
“Maria Elena is very inspirational and very motivational!” -Sarah Lopez, Chevron
“I think Maria Elena does an outstanding job. She is very, very good!” - Faye Cunningham, Chevron
“Maria Elena is a great speaker! I love how she speaks! She really makes a GREAT first impression.” -Carmina Benavides, Chevron
“Great presentation on making the most of cracks of time and being a better listener.” – Wendi Kingston, Chevron
“Presented self confidence tips very well!” - Linda Williams, Chevron
“Very, very motivational!” – P.A. Caldwell, Chevron
“Very encouraging presentation! Valuable tips on how I spend my time and my first impression.” - Debi Sims, Chevron
“Focusing on personal strengths is what makes you so approachable, and people comfortable around you. I noticed very early on that you take every opportunity to capitalize on forward, progressive movement and strengths rather than focusing on any negative. For that, I thank you for the good example and the positive atmosphere that you create. Thank You!” -Toni Tillis, A-1 Mobile Homes
“Very professional presentation!” - Dave Marshall, Professional Home and Termite Inspector
“You are fabulous! It’s interesting to see how you weave together so much valuable information to help us learn more about ourselves and how we can implement for improvement.” – Laura Moss, Pioneer Mortgage
“Maria Elena can teach you the power of positive presentation. Her presentations are ‘powerful’” - Brenda Hopper, Permian Abstract
“Maria Elena can provide the refresher you need in ‘professionalism’”. -Melissa Ruckman, West Texas Abstract
“Maria Elena is the most positive, up beat, results oriented coach you could work with. She has taken my business to the “next level”. The questions really open my marketing world!” - Caren McCourt, Owner, McCourt Real Estate Services
“She gives tips that are practical and realistic. You can implement for success immediately!” - Barbara Tynes, Assistant Vice President, Bank of America
“Moving, compelling, insightful and most of all inspirational!” – Lore Taylor, Pastor, Inner City Tabernacle
“This is so much more than networking. And CONNECTIONS is so much more than any other group I’ve been associated with, it’s training, it’s coaching, it’s relationships!” – Evan Crumpton, Owner, Petroplex Office Supplies; Partner, Quality Document Solutions; Cultivator, Seeds For Success
“Your help has made an impact on our leadership team and time!” -Rick Epler, Director of Training, Family Dollar
“Amazing, insightful, worthwhile!” – Alvin Collins, Owner, Legacy Real Estate
“She is the ultimate networking coach and THE Champion of Connections.” -John Land, President, Frisco Chamber of Commerce
“You are the original connection Champion.” - Rachel Stone, Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
“You are IT when it comes to getting the best networking training. I want it straight from the source.” - Trish Powell, Director of Operations, Odessa Chamber of Commerce
“You are the marketing expert! You help and make sure that we are better prepared to speak to others about what we do. Plus, provide practical info that can help. I found your information on moving up on your Google rankings – valuable.” - Betsy Seanard, Director, Midland College Business and Economic Development Center
“Anything. Anything that you’re doing, creating or presenting at…I’m there!” - Misty Stewart, Branch Manager, S.O.S. Staffing
“Your training is extremely effective, inspirational, revealing and most of all FUN!” -Jose “Bo” Zertuche, Owner, Maverick Productions
“Networking is a way of life. You provide the tools and easy ways to implement and your presentation is excellent.” - Abraham Gutierrez, State Farm Agent
“Your presentations are excellent, organized, insightful. Maria Elena is one of the best presenters I’ve ever witnessed chocked-full of business building ideas and thorough word-of-mouth marketing.” - Mott Williamson, Partner, Wurster, Armstrong & Williamson,C.P.A.; Owner, ROCG Avatar Consulting
“It’s more than just slips of paper or counting. It’s insightful, useful, strategic and real.” - Jennifer Birkla, Office Manager, OfficeTeam
“Maria Elena is most insightful and flexible to make networking skills useful to anyone in any walk of life in any situation.” – Greg Maes, Diveristy Supplier Director, Chevron-Texaco
“Maria Elena can assemble a team, inspire, train and support.” - Rick Menchaca, City Manager, City of Midland
“Maria Elena you have the best tid-bits.” - Krista Escamilla, Vice-President, Starr Style and Guayaveda, Inc.
“Maria Elena is by far the best in her field. She has skill that is truly a strength.” - Jim Smitherman, President, Security State Bank
“I want your training – every bit of it!” -Barbara Peacock, Owner, MeetMidland!
“Maria Elena is a leader of leaders. She does so effectively, with grace and style.” - Tom Wurster, Owner, AWW Consulting
“You are just amazing and I learn so much every time.” - Martha Manulik, Realtor and President, Permian Basin Board of Realtors
“Your points are so helpful. On top of which you are motivational and inspirational!” - Lisa Villalobos, Family Service Counselor, Serenity Memorial Gardens
