Today we’d like to introduce you to Marisa Ikpoh

Hi MARISA, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

My roots are firmly planted in God and are now branching out into the community.

You may know me as Marisa Moments, though many are now learning of my existence through my new FREE Community Pop-up [Thrift] Boutique, The Give-n-Receive Inc.

From giving intuitive healing guidance for clarity to offering and accepting gently used clothing and accessories for all genders, ages, and sizes and making them available to the community for FREE, I am likely to have you covered. I’ve learned over time that God uses our pain to help us find our purpose. My life has been running the gamut of obstacles, which I now see as the foundation of my accomplishments.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Although I typically describe my journey as “not that hard,” many would probably be surprised to learn my true story.

From my father passing away when I was a mere six weeks old, to being struck in the head by a falling snow brick from a three-story building, to nearly dying as a direct result of an eight-liter blood hemorrhage following the delivery of my identical twin daughters in 2018… My life has been anything but easy. However, I cite these moments as pivotal parts of my life that taught me valuable lessons, granted me opportunities to relate more to others, and served as points of great triumph.

These are but mile markers along my journey, yet they do not reflect the full extent of my arduous climb by any measure.

We’ve been impressed with The Give-n-Receive Inc., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

The Give-n-Receive Inc. is a family-run non-profit organization that partners with outreach programs, local businesses, and community spaces. We are a FREE community pop-up [thrift] boutique that offers and accepts gently used clothing and accessories for all genders, ages, and sizes. We host monthly pop-up events where the public is invited to shop for free and/or bring their gently used items to be sorted and added to racks on-site.

This is NOT your average clothing swap. We take great pride in our delivery and structure. We aim to create an environment that exudes dignity and grace in the process of charity, while helping to bridge the gap in clothing insecurity and restore faith in humanity.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?

Characteristics of my success in the world of philanthropy include drive, boldness, authenticity, kindness, joy, and empathy, among a host of others.

It is imperative that one not only speak about their dreams to help others but truly embody the mission and give from the heart rather than a place of expectation. God puts missions in our hearts because we are capable of bringing them to fruition. However, we must understand that faith without action is like trying to build a house with no materials; it doesn’t work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thegivenreceive.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegivenreceive?igsh=c3pwcWRiMHJuOHpt
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555649145327&mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Twitter: https://x.com/thegivenreceive