Maddie Raedts is a visionary entrepreneur and brand strategist with a passion for building businesses. As the founder of IMA [Influencer Marketing Agency, a by Monks], she helped shape the modern influencer marketing industry. Now, as a consultant, advisor, and investor, she partners with businesses in marketing, communications, and fashion, using her strategic and creative expertise to nurture sustainable growth.
What drives Maddie is the thrill of entrepreneurship—the constant evolution, problem-solving, and staying ahead of the curve. With deep industry knowledge and an instinct for brand-building, she knows what it takes to scale a business while staying true to its vision. Beyond her work, she finds inspiration in travel, new experiences, and pushing herself outside her comfort zone.
In this conversation, Maddie shares her journey, insights on entrepreneurship, and the lessons she’s learned about resilience, strategy, and innovation.
T. What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs, especially those looking to make a mark in the digital and influencer marketing industry?
M. Just go. Start today, learn as you go, and surround yourself with the right people and experts thatstrengthen your skills. Be curious, eager to learn, work hard and not afraid to make mistakes. Also know what you don’t know, and outsource that when you can or ask for help.
T. As a leader, what qualities do you think are essential for building a creative and productive team?
M. I believe it’s essential to create a team that harnesses different personalities, perspectives, and skill sets. Truly empower each other’s strengths and weaknesses. By that, you can make maximum impact and create movement. Creatives, thinkers, builders, visionaries, and planners—you need them all. Most importantly, everyone needs to have a positive and can-do mentality. Think in solutions. I believe that for every problem, there are always several solutions—cliché but true. I love that I have people in my team who have that can-do attitude and entrepreneurial mindset.
T. Did you always envision yourself becoming an entrepreneur, or was there a pivotal moment when you decided this was the path you wanted to take?
M. I come from a pretty entrepreneurial family, but in a very different way. My parents were farmers in a small town in the south, with a lot of their own land and harvest. I was taught young to work hard and work for what I wanted, but I didn’t necessarily envision the entrepreneurial life as a student or child. However, when I got a taste of it during my first part-time job as a blogger for a digital start-up, I immediately felt that this is where my fire lit up and where my inner ‘Ikigai’ got touched.
T. Outside of your professional life, what are some of your hobbies and interests? How do you like to unwind and recharge?
M. Spending time with my family is my ultimate unwind. I have two young kids—3 and 1 years old—a dog, and not to forget my amazing husband. When we spend time together, I go fully in the moment. We love to be outside, go for long walks in the city or nature, enjoy beach time, or take holidays in the sun, of course. Besides that, I love to work out—reformer Pilates is my thing—and walk a lot. Also, podcasts, reading, and spending time with friends, having drinks, and enjoying long dinners are definitely ways to recharge.
T. Looking ahead, what are a few personal goals or dreams you hope to achieve in the future?
M. We’d love to invest in real estate abroad someday, so we can retire in the sun and outdoors when the time comes—build a family home for the future. Also, I see myself building out at least one more business, more dedicated. It could be with other entrepreneurs or completely solo. Let’s see what the future holds—no rush, the right momentum is more important.
T. If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
M. Live in the now—enjoy. Go with the flow; it will all work out. Trust in yourself and the process. Also, be comfortable with being uncomfortable, because that is where you grow.
T. What inspires you the most?
M. Traveling, finding new spots and places, stimulates my brain with new visions and things I haven’t seen before. Also, just getting out of my comfort zone always brings me new insights. For example, when we lived in LA for a year and I was the CEO of a tech start-up, it brought me so many life lessons—both professionally and personally.
