Sonia Urquilla, Founder and Search Engine Optimization Expert on Influential Women

Influential Woman · SEO Marketing

Sonia Urquilla

Founder and Search Engine Optimization Expert, SEO by Sonia

Montclair, NJ

4Years experience
1Article published
1Award received
Connect with Sonia

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Montclair State University Degree Bachelor's degree in business management Degree 2017 Cert AI SEO certification

Her Story

About Sonia

I grew up watching my dad run his own small shop. He worked long hours, wore every hat in the business, and taught me what hard work, perseverance, and serving people really looked like. I didn't realize it then, but those lessons shaped the way I lead my own business today.


My path wasn't a straight line. I started my career in sales before changing careers into marketing. I eventually found SEO, got laid off from my corporate role, and decided to build SEO BY SONIA instead of giving up on the career I loved.

Today, I help coaches, consultants, therapists, and service-based businesses become easier to find on Google, ChatGPT, and AI search through SEO, Local SEO, and Brand Optimization. What I enjoy most isn't rankings. It's watching someone go from feeling invisible to becoming known for the work they do.


Outside of work, my faith, family, and community keep me grounded. I believe success means building a business that creates opportunities for others without losing sight of the people and values that matter most.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Sonia

01What do you attribute your success to?

I think curiosity has been my biggest advantage.


I've never been the person who thinks they know everything. I ask a lot of questions, test ideas, make mistakes, and keep learning. That's how I found SEO, and it's how I ended up creating my own approach to Brand Optimization.


The other part is that I genuinely care about my clients. Their wins feel personal to me. Watching someone go from feeling invisible to getting found on Google or ChatGPT never gets old.

I think when you stay curious and care about people, the rest has a way of following.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I ever received wasn't something someone told me. It was something I felt God putting on my heart: "Just do it."


I was changing careers and struggling through interviews. I knew I wanted to work in marketing, but I couldn't get anyone to give me a chance because I didn't have experience.

I asked my career coach if she could give me a real project to work on. She remembered seeing an SEO course on my LinkedIn profile and asked if I'd optimize her website. The funny thing is I had already quit that SEO course because I thought it was way too technical.


I almost said no.


Instead, I said yes and figured it out as I went. I spent weeks reading, testing, and learning. After 4 weeks, I implemented my SEO on her website; she started getting results, and that one project completely changed my career.

Looking back, I realized I wasn't waiting for more knowledge. I was waiting to feel ready. Once I stopped waiting and just started, everything else began to fall into place.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

Trust your gifts.

There were so many times I questioned myself because of my accent, because I was changing careers, or because I didn't think I knew enough. Looking back, I wish I had trusted what I was good at sooner.


Don't be afraid to share your voice. Someone out there needs to hear your perspective, not someone else's. You don't have to sound like everyone in your industry to be respected.


And finally, find a support system. Building something can feel lonely. Having mentors, friends, coaches, and people who believe in you will make a bigger difference than you realize. I honestly don't think I'd be where I am today without mine.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I think the biggest opportunity right now is AI search.


People are changing how they search. They're asking ChatGPT, Gemini, and other AI tools for recommendations instead of typing short keywords into Google. That means businesses have a chance to get discovered in completely new ways.


The biggest challenge is that many businesses are still using SEO strategies from five or ten years ago. They're only thinking about ranking a website. Today, you need to build trust across your entire brand. Your website still matters, but so do your reviews, media mentions, local presence, podcasts, and the questions you're answering online.


I think the businesses that understand this shift early are going to have a huge advantage over the next few years.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

My faith comes first. It keeps me grounded and reminds me that my work is part of my purpose, not my identity.


Family is a close second. No business milestone is worth missing the people I love or the moments I can't get back.


I've also learned the importance of setting boundaries. When I first started my business, I thought working longer hours meant I was more committed. Instead, I ended up exhausted. Today, I protect time for prayer, family, and rest because I've learned that taking care of myself helps me show up better for the people I serve.

Her Content Hub

Articles by Sonia

Discover how to optimize your website for AI search engines and get recommended by ChatGPT. Learn the five essential pages that signal credibility to AI tools and attract high-quality clients automatically.

Jul 2026 · 5 min read

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