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

Marissa, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about your team building process? How did you recruit and train your team and knowing what you know now would you have done anything differently?

From the start, I knew the importance of having a team that truly aligned with the core values we were building. It wasn’t just about skills and experience—it was about finding individuals who shared our passion for what we were trying to achieve. That’s why I focus so much on how each person embodies our mission. It’s not enough to just “show up”; you have to understand, believe, and live the mission. If you don’t, it will ultimately reflect in your actions, and that can hinder both personal growth and the company’s overall ability to evolve.

Our acronym, META Care, is central to everything we stand for as a company. “META” stands for *Motivate Entrepreneurs Taking Action*, and this is at the heart of who we are as a team. We are here to inspire and empower individuals to act on their ideas, to take ownership of their projects, and to create positive change. Each person who joins us must embody this principle—not just through words, but through actions. Motivation, entrepreneurial spirit, and the willingness to take initiative are qualities we look for in every person.

This acronym isn’t just something we put on paper—it’s a framework for our entire culture. *META* represents the type of mindset we want to cultivate: people who motivate others, think creatively, and take action when they see opportunities or challenges. This is how we’ve been able to grow and innovate, because we encourage our employees to share ideas, propose solutions, and take the lead on new ventures. Many of the companies and programs we’ve created came directly from ideas raised by employees who were empowered to act on what they saw, and that’s a huge part of why I focus so heavily on making sure our team embodies this mindset.

When we interview potential team members, we are looking for more than just the right technical abilities. We’re looking for individuals who are motivated to take action, who can see potential and turn it into something tangible. I want them to not just fit into the company, but to help shape it. We don’t just need team players—we need people who will challenge the status quo and contribute to building something bigger than any single person could do alone.

If I were to start today, I would still prioritize this same approach because our values and our mission are non-negotiable. Our mission and mindset is what has driven us to where we are now, and it will continue to propel us forward as we grow. This isn’t just about building a team—it’s about creating a community of like-minded individuals who are all aligned in their passion for action, growth, and entrepreneurship with a focus on the person.

Marissa, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

At Clergy Care, our mission is deeply rooted in faith and a profound sense of gratitude for the priests who have devoted their lives to serving others. My husband, Michael Guarino, and I, Marissa, founded Clergy Care because we saw a critical need within the Catholic Church to provide healthcare support for our beloved priests. We recognized that while these dedicated men spend their lives looking after the spiritual and physical needs of others, they often don’t receive the same level of care in return — and this was something we knew had to change.

Clergy Care is not just a business to us; it’s a calling, a mission. Through our care management program, we ensure that both active and retired priests, regardless of age, are supported as they navigate the complexities of healthcare. This means offering personalized, hands-on support to help them manage everything from doctor’s appointments and prescriptions to overall health compliance. Our goal is to walk alongside these priests, providing the care they need while allowing them to focus on what they do best: serving others.

Our program is unique because it combines both the practical and emotional aspects of care. Many of the priests we work with have no immediate family or loved ones to help manage their healthcare. Clergy Care steps in to fill that gap, ensuring they are not only seen and heard but also truly cared for. We believe priests should receive the same level of care that they’ve provided to others throughout their years of service, and we work tirelessly to make that a reality.

What sets us apart is our ability to provide a comprehensive, compassionate, and personalized approach. We build strong relationships with the priests we serve, getting to know them as individuals, not just as clients. This relationship-driven care allows us to address their specific needs, offer tailored solutions, and support them throughout their health journey. Whether they’re dealing with chronic conditions, navigating insurance, or simply needing a companion in the healthcare process, we are there every step of the way.

In addition to the work we do through Clergy Care, we are proud to be part of Meta Care, our parent company. Meta Care is expanding rapidly, already operating in seven states and quickly growing. The strength of Meta Care’s infrastructure, combined with our specialized focus on clergy, allows us to provide top-notch services while staying true to our core mission: to serve those who have dedicated their lives to others. You can learn more about Meta Care and its mission at [Meta Care’s website](https://metacareusa.com/).

What I am most proud of is the impact we’ve had on the lives of so many priests throughout the country. The joy and peace they experience once they realize they have someone to rely on for their healthcare needs is incredibly fulfilling. I’m particularly proud of how Clergy Care has grown into a trusted resource for priests across the country. We’ve received countless messages of gratitude from priests who finally feel seen and cared for, and that’s a reward in itself.

For us, the most important thing for potential clients to know is that Clergy Care is more than just a healthcare service; it’s a partnership. We truly care about the well-being of the priests we serve, and our mission is to ensure that they live their lives with the dignity, respect, and care they deserve. We are here to make their health journey easier and more manageable, so they can continue to focus on their sacred work. We are committed to bringing them peace of mind, knowing they are not alone.

We believe our work is a true reflection of our faith, and we are honored to be able to give back to the priests who have given so much to our communities.

We’d appreciate any insights you can share with us about selling a business.

Yes, my husband Michael Guarino and I have had the privilege of creating and growing two successful companies: the IPA of NY (Independent Physicians Association of New York) and Practice Management of America. Our primary mission was to help independent physicians stay independent and navigate the ever-changing landscape of healthcare. We were responsible for managing over 200,000 lives, which amounted to roughly $2 billion in healthcare spend. It was an incredibly rewarding and challenging journey that taught us a lot about the healthcare industry, business growth, and what it truly means to support both patients and providers.

We sold Practice Management of America this past February, almost two years ago now. Looking back, the process was a valuable learning experience, and we gained many insights that are essential for anyone looking to eventually sell their business.

First and foremost, one of the biggest lessons we learned was the importance of listening to both the patients’ needs and observing the staff. This was something Michael and I always focused on. By truly understanding the barriers both patients and staff face, we were able to create solutions that worked for everyone. This problem-solving approach became one of the trademarks of our business — “You present a problem, we create a solution.” That mindset served us well in navigating the complexities of healthcare and developing effective systems that delivered measurable results.

When it comes to selling a business, we also learned that preparation is key. You need to have a clear understanding of your company’s financials, processes, and growth potential. Buyers are looking for sustainability, profitability, and scalability. And just as importantly, it’s essential to build a strong, dedicated team that can continue to drive the business forward after the sale. Without the right team, even the best business will struggle to thrive.

Lastly, we’ve learned that entrepreneurship is about resilience, adaptability, and the willingness to pivot. The lessons we learned from running Practice Management of America have carried over into our current ventures, such as Clergy Care, where we continue to solve problems by creating meaningful, sustainable solutions.

For entrepreneurs hoping to sell their business one day, my advice would be to make sure you are always evolving, stay focused on solving real problems, and create a business that not only thrives financially but also leaves a lasting, positive impact on the lives of your clients. Above all, listen to the people you serve and stay connected to the heart of your business. That’s the secret to long-term success.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

It’s funny how life works sometimes — how one moment, one conversation, can completely change everything. Michael and I met in the most unexpected way, and it’s one of those stories that still makes me smile every time I think about it.

It all started in line at a Starbucks in Ocala, Florida. I was there working on an independent consulting project, and Michael was managing an Ambulatory Surgery Center. We exchanged a few polite words, but before we knew it, our conversation shifted toward business. As we talked about our work and shared our experiences in healthcare, it became clear that we had a lot in common. What started as a casual exchange of ideas quickly turned into something more. We ended up sitting down for a cup of coffee, and then that led to dinner, where our discussions went even deeper.

Over time, Michael shared with me his vision for a company that could provide innovative solutions in the healthcare space. He had big ideas, and his passion was contagious. It wasn’t long before we decided to take a leap and turn that vision into reality. We founded our company, which became incredibly successful, over a 10-year span and just about two years ago, we sold it. The business we built together was the product of that initial conversation, and it served as a testament to the power of a shared vision and hard work.

But we weren’t done. We realized we had so much more to offer and that our drive to create and innovate wasn’t finished. So, we launched Meta Care, Inc. — a company that embodies everything we believe in. Meta Care stands for Motivated Entrepreneurs Taking Action, a perfect reflection of who we are. We’re driven by a passion to solve problems, create solutions, and make a meaningful impact, not just in healthcare, but in the lives of the people we serve.

The thing that works so well for us, and has always been the foundation of our success, is that we stay in our own lanes. Michael is the visionary, the big-picture thinker with all the ideas, while I’m the executor — the one who takes those ideas and turns them into action. We complement each other perfectly, and that balance has been key not only in our professional life but in our personal life as well. We’ve learned to lean on each other’s strengths, and it’s made us an incredibly effective team. In addition, it’s the team we built to support all of these initiatives is key to the overall success.

It’s funny to think that it all started with a simple conversation in line at Starbucks, and now here we are, years later, having built multiple successful businesses together. What started as a chance encounter has led to a partnership that I truly treasure, and I’m truly blessed and grateful every day for the incredible journey we’ve shared — both as business partners and as life partners.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://metacareusa.com
• Other: https://samicalls.com/
  https://clergy-care.com/

Image Credits

Marissa and Michael Guarino