What if the least “qualified” person in the room was exactly the right one for the job?

In this episode of Possibilities with Monique de Maio, marketing mentor and founder of the 10K Email Club, Emily Claire Hughes, shares her story of going from musical theater to marketing maven—building a business that champions authenticity, community, and gutsy self-employment.

You’ll learn:

→ Why “launch before you’re ready” is the advice every entrepreneur needs

→ How a blog on a cruise ship became a thriving business

→ Why your background (yes, even restaurant work) is your advantage

→ The power of surrounding yourself with people who believe in you

→ How women can stop waiting for permission—and bet on themselves instead

If you’ve ever felt like your career pivot was “too risky” or your dream was “too late,” Emily’s story will inspire you to get moving anyway. You don’t have to be ready—you just have to be you.

🎧 Listen now & say yes to your next chapter.

📍 Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet Emily Claire Hughes

02:26 – From Broadway Dreams to Business Goals

05:38 – The “Least Qualified” Job Interview That Changed Everything

08:41 – Networking, Authenticity & Breaking In

12:45 – Living Abroad & Embracing Growth

15:34 – Escaping Toxic Work Culture

18:50 – Going All In on Self-Employment

27:41 – Building the 10K Email Club

31:54 – Women, Community, and Empowerment

36:32 – Celebrating the Wins

41:48 – Career Advice for Risk-Taking Women

46:02 – Choosing Your Niche & Your People

50:40 – Final Thoughts on Building Boldly

Emily Claire Hughes is the founder of the 10K Email Club, a marketing membership for female founders that helps women grow their businesses with authentic, high-ROI email strategies. A former performer turned copywriter and coach, Emily brings personality, passion, and a “launch anyway” mindset to everything she touches.

Website: https://www.emilyclaireand.co/

Instagram: @emilyinhamburg

➡️ Follow Monique for More:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moniquedemaio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquedemaio Newsletter: https://www.moniquedemaio.com/newsletter-sign-up

Book Monique for your next keynote: https://www.moniquedemaio.com/contact

About Emily Claire Hughes:

Grab her bestselling book “7 Secrets to Creating a Life You Love: A Practical Guide for Women in Leadership”: https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Creating-Life-You-Love/dp/B0CLHV526G