Meet Maria Bayer of Maria Bayer – Irresistible Selling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Bayer. 

Maria, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a self-proclaimed introvert, I studied finance in college and thought I would spend my life with numbers. That happened, but not in the way that I expected. If you told me back then that after a few years in finance I would change industries to sell software and then later go on to teach creative entrepreneurs how to book high-paying clients and build multi-6-figure businesses, I would have thought you were out of your mind.

But that’s exactly what happened. My sales journey started with 13+ years in corporate America selling software to Fortune 1000 companies. It was an extremely competitive and fast-paced industry, and most people in sales roles didn’t stay more than a few years. Thankfully, I found a great mentor and learned how to thrive.

That turned out to be a pivotal moment for me because I learned that I didn’t have to follow the stereotypical pushy sales approach to be successful at sales. I could be my authentic (introverted but coming out of my shell) self, remain in integrity, and book clients. So, I leaned into my strengths of connecting with people, discovered what worked for me, and sold in a way that went completely against the norm. 

It worked so well that I went on to book over $25M in sales to companies like Target, Best Buy, Ulta & Hyatt.

Like most people in software, I eventually burned out, so I quit but wasn’t sure what to do next. A friend then asked me if I would create a workshop for her photography group to teach them how to sell. This was a group of extremely talented creatives, but they were struggling to book clients.

That was a lightbulb moment because I realized the reason why so many small businesses fail is because they may be great at what they do, but they don’t know how to sell the value of what they do – and why people should pay for it. So to compete, they often undercharge and overserve. That leads to burnout and perpetuating the ‘starving artist’ mentality.

I also realized how transformative the skills and strategies I learned in my software career could be to small business owners – if I could translate them for their industry and make selling fun. So, I led the workshop and crossed my fingers that it would resonate. 

It did – in a big way. In the weeks to come, I learned of people applying the strategies and booking clients almost immediately. Everything snowballed from there. I was then recruited to create a sales program for Design Success University, which put me on the map.

Later I adapted that program for the wedding industry to a program called Irresistible Selling, which is a unique blend of online course, advanced group coaching and strategy, and community – in a mastermind environment. We’re now in our 9th year, and I’m proud to watch my clients own their worth, catapult their sales, and become industry leaders. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Entrepreneurship hasn’t always been a smooth (or straight) road. You learn quickly that in order to grow and up level, you need to get comfortable with the uncomfortable, outsource what is not in your zone of genius, and constantly work on your mindset.

One thing I wish I had learned sooner was that you have to hire coaches and mentors along the way. They can see things that you cannot, and help you work through obstacles and limiting beliefs that are keeping you stuck. And if they’re really good, they hold space for you to dream bigger and realize your true worth, which is so much more than you believe it to be.

And a beautiful thing happens when you invest in you… you’ll attract clients who invest in you, too.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Maria Bayer – Irresistible Selling?
I’m a sales and mindset strategist, coach, speaker, and educator. I help wedding & event business owners stand confidently in their worth, book next-level clients, and create generational wealth. I’m known for my signature program, Irresistible Selling, which makes sales easy for anyone.

What sets this program apart is that I teach strategies that you don’t learn in school or read in a book, and my clients get big results very quickly. Many of them raise their fees, 2-10x their sales, get featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, and other publications, and become industry leaders. For example, one of my clients started her business in 2020 and booked $18K in sales for the year. After joining Irresistible Selling, she booked $195K in sales in 2021 – a 10x increase during a pandemic.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
People think that because I am a sales expert, that I was born naturally good at sales and outgoing. They are usually surprised to find out that I was a painfully shy introvert who went into sales as a way to force myself out of my shell and gain confidence.

Contact Info:

• Email: maria@mariabayer.com
• Website: www.mariabayer.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/MariaBayer1
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MariaBayer1
• Other: http://www.facebook.com/groups/learncollaborateflourish

Image Credits
Jennifer Kathryn Photography
Barbie Hull Photography