About Beyond Cubicles
đ˘ #BeyondCubicles is a weekly LinkedIn series created by Carolina DâSouza, born out of her own experience transitioning from a corporate career to independent consulting. Since its launch in June 2024, the series has evolved into a platform that showcases the inspiring journeys of several founders who have redefined the traditional 9-to-5.
Through authentic narratives, #BeyondCubicles highlights themes of courage, resilience, and purpose. The stories feature individuals from diverse industriesâranging from tech and education to wellness and adventureâwho share their experiences of stepping away from conventional roles to pursue passion-driven careers.Â
⨠Note: All features in this series are unpaid and shared as a way to honor and amplify real stories of transformation.
âNow, itâs about impact.â
On a business trip to Singapore in 2017, Monique Ong was found unconscious. She suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and fell into a 21-day coma. When she woke up, she couldnât walk, talk, or even swallow.
It took a year before she could return to work.
When she did, she saw mental health support was lacking, for her and others âwho struggled in silenceâ. People assumed she had recovered, but reality was different.
That moment gave her purpose.
In 2020, she left her job at Facebook and launched MindNation, a platform for proactive, stigma-free mental health support. With a medical board, 24/7 support, and multilingual psychologists, it ensures employees feel valued and empowered.
âThe name âMindNationâ reflects the idea of building a mentally resilient community, a ânationâ of people prioritizing their wellbeing,â says Monique.
Leaving behind a structured corporate career spanning 10 countries, she now faced an unfamiliar path while coping with brain damage.
âIt felt like I was predictably going to fail,â she says, explaining that getting businesses to take mental health seriously was a challenge.
She leaned on her team and adapted to uncertainty, shifting her mindset.
âI had to rewire my thinking, understanding that I didnât have to be perfect to be impactful,â she says.
She embraced vulnerability, realizing her story inspired others. âPersonal branding, for me, was about sharing my authentic story,â she says. âI embraced vulnerability, openly discussing my TBI, my struggles, and the lessons I learned.â
She ensured MindNation, HERmones, and her speaking engagements aligned with her mission.
Despite a demanding schedule, she remains intentional with her time. âWhether with my son, designing purpose-driven businesses, or my wellbeing, I prioritize what matters,â she says.
Today, she sees success differently. âNow, itâs about impact, waking up every day knowing Iâm helping people feel seen, supported, and empowered.â
Her advice? âYou donât need to have everything figured out to start. Vulnerability is a strength. Your worst moments can fuel your purpose: my TBI could have been the reason I gave up, but instead, it became my driving force.â
Originally from the Philippines, she moved to Dubai for work but found a home in a city of innovation and growth.