What's up? I'm Marisa.

I’m a writer and I quit my day job in December 2019 to go full time as a writer, coach, tarot reader, and content creator.

(Yeah. I did that right before a global pandemic. I have zero regrets, and let’s just say that my biz has built some serious character.)

It’s my mission to help creatives show up and get paid what they’re worth.

You heard me.

No wondering if we’re worthy.
No working for exposure or uneven trade.
No sticking with the soul-sucking day job because you think it’s safe.

And while we’re at it, I want you to know that I think all creatives are capable of running a business. I know you’ve probably been told in the past that you’re a space cadet or you’re not good at math or organization or time management.

As a writer, I believe we all get to tell our own story. And that means we have to stop believing the stories that others have told us about ourselves.

See, I didn’t always think I could work for myself.

I went to school for creative writing, and I heard so many people scoff when I’d tell them what my major was. Everyone said I’d never make money or that I should marry someone rich. They couldn’t understand why I would study something that lit a fire in my belly. They couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t pick something that was more “stable.”

But that’s the thing.

I follow my intuition. I know I’m meant to write. And even though I couldn’t see what the future held for me, I knew I was making the right choice.

I knew, come hell or high water, I was meant to write.

And as for stable jobs, I think we all know that the work you don’t control is the work that lays you off the second things go a little pear-shaped.

So, even though I had no idea what I would do, I kept moving toward the life that felt right.

I wasn’t born with a business mind.

It took me some time to figure out the business side of things. I started freelance writing in 2010, and from there, realized I was capable of earning and doing a lot more than my employers believed I was worth.

I’ve worked in a lot of industries and held a lot of job titles – each one getting me closer to the career I was meant to have.

And in that time, I’ve developed frameworks, systems, and processes that keep my so-called space cadet brain on track and managing time like a pro.

It’s not hard. It’s just not intuitive.

And if you think you’d like to work with me to learn these frameworks, systems, and processes, you can book a discovery call with me, and we can talk about my Art Like a Boss coaching program.

So, how did I get here?

I spent years trying to figure out what I was going to do, always keeping writing as the true-north. No matter what, I would keep writing.

So after I graduated, I waited tables. I went to grad school. (Twice.) I worked as a ghostwriter, a fraud monitor, a tech writer, and a college instructor.

And during that time, I started figuring out ways that I could make more time for writing, because those day jobs didn’t care at all about what I wanted, and they seemed to take over more and more of my free time.

I learned the planning methods that worked for me, and got crystal clear about how I was going to use my time.
I learned self-discipline. (That’s right, you learn it. You aren’t born with it.) And that helped me focus on the end goal and keep it in sight.
I found ways to earn money and build income streams outside of my day jobs so I could save up faster, and build a sense of financial stability without a boss breathing down my neck.
I found ways to take care of myself so that I preserved my energy and didn’t feel burnt out all the time.

And most of all?

I started showing up and building a platform so I could demand what I was worth.

Now I don’t call anyone boss. (Well, except for my dog, Rosie, who really runs the show around here.)

Want to know more about me the values that drive my work and business? Click here.

Here's what makes me tick.

Stories: I love reading, writing, and watching stories. Give me plot twists and double crosses. Shower me with idyllic settings and character arcs I can get lost in.

Cardio Kickboxing: I start every single morning with a workout that is usually some type of MMA-inspired routine. I may seem like a quiet, bookish nerd, but your girl loves to punch out some rage.

Tarot: Intuition is the fuel that drives my journey, and I love to use the cards to get clear on what my intuition is telling me. You can always book a reading with me here.

Content Creation: If you would’ve told me nearly 20 years ago when I was typing out every thought that crossed my mind for my Xanga that I’d still be doing this in my 30s, I’d think you were crazy. (But I’d also be so happy.)

Oklahoma: I was born and raised in Oklahoma, and it’s a personal mission of mine to show off how diverse Oklahoma really is, even though the tourism board rarely highlights that. How diverse? Well, I’m an Iranian-Mexican-Citizen Potawatomi Nation woman, and I think you should know that Oklahoma City has the best Vietnamese food in the country.

Planning: I love strategically thinking about how I’m going to do things before I dive in. Whether its planning my work day or outlining a novel, I’m all about envisioning, setting the intention, and making a plan of execution. Check out the planners I’ve designed here.