We were lucky to catch up with Marissa Gonzalez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Marissa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I knew I wanted to pursue my path as an artist once I understood the impact I made just by letting out all that I had held back for so long due to the lack of confidence within myself and how alive I felt knowing I didn’t get tired by pouring into it the way I was. I have always worked for someone through out my life and knew I was destined for more I just didn’t know exactly what it was or how to put it out into the world.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

When I first stepped into the industry it was through modeling , I’ve enjoyed modeling since I was a kid I wish I would have continued to do it but unfortunately I moved a lot and we just couldn’t afford being in an agency at the time. About 6 years ago I started to take it serious again and posted pictures of myself that I would take on my social media , eventually other creatives would reach out to me for collaborations and I would just be honored that people wanted to work with me my view on collaborating is very different now but at the time I was just starting out and wanted to network as much as possible because I wanted to remain a freelance model. Freelance models made more because they chose the amount they wanted to be paid. Through trial and error and many years of work I’ve realized I do truly enjoy modeling but that’s not how I want my name to just be heard of I’ve always known that I could do more than just pose in front of a camera and help a brand exceed its expectations for a product they wanted to market . I knew I could market that product as well as be the face of it , which is what led me into wanting my own business. I currently operate my own spray tanning business , I also style people as well on the side. In the mist of modeling , styling and owning my own business music is what makes me feel the most on my path to success. When I put my poetry or thoughts on a beat and see everything come together I know I’m meant to do this forever. I’m proud of the way I’m opening up more and showing that creative side of me because it takes a lot to be able to be vulnerable it’s easy to work hard at something to perfect it but to pour yourself authentically into something and say this is me takes so much more courage. For my future clients or fans who find out about me and all I have going on I want them to know that it’s not easy and day by day I am still learning on my own and through others how to trust the process and have the confidence to keep going after what makes me feel alive .

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist / creative is that I touch people that I’ve never known or had a conversation with. My energy transfers to them and gives them hope that the dreams they have are also attainable.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

– Think and Grow Rich

– It didn’t start with you

– How to be a badass

– The 50th Law

Contact Info:

• Website: https://iconicgoldenhour.glossgenius.com/
• Instagram: @lilmg__
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCE03hBPGC15noHQBhlYmTMw