We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marissa Cervantes. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marissa below.

Marissa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

Not only am I a creator, I’m a caretaker as well. Due to my mother’s health, she requires a caretaker Monday- Sunday. Balancing time for my mother, my wife, my creations, and especially myself has been challenging. So time management is something I’m actively working on. Of course, I had thoughts of getting a regular job. Then I thought to myself, even a regular job can include unexpected situations as well. Becoming an artist and feeling like an artist has been such a wonderful experience. This is something I choose for myself, and will not let others defer me from actively creating.

Marissa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

When you lose someone you lose part of yourself. After facing the unexpected loss of a loved one to Ovarian Cancer, I needed an outlet. Little did I know that my nephews would impact my life and build up from what was lost. My nephews and I would binge-watch custom shoe videos on YouTube. Their belief in me influenced me to purchase materials and learn how to create. After four years of self-teaching and many trials and errors, I built up the courage to attend pop-ups and markets to display my creations. I want people to see the quality and details in person rather than online. I verify with clients to provide details/send ideas of what they want to be completed. My goal is to ensure that clients are happy with their personalized customs. So when they open that shoe box their reactions are priceless. Marissa who faced loss, is being guided not only by angels but by tremendous support and encouragement from her followers.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Another goal of mine is to be able to influence others to not give up. If sharing my story can impact one life to continue striving during the hard/low times they’re experiencing, I’m winning. I do have bigger aspirations and ideas that I’m currently working on and will come into place in the next couple of months

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

After graduating with my bachelor’s degree I had a few jobs set in place. My mother and grandmother’s caretaker was unable to continue working for them around the same time. So I declined what was set in place to be able to be take care of them.

Contact Info:

• Website: dgucustoms.com
• Instagram: @dgu_customs