We were lucky to catch up with Marisa Meeks recently and have shared our conversation below.

Marisa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about how you got your first non-friend, non-family client. Paint the picture for us so we can feel the same excitement you felt on that day.

As a Licensed Real Estate Agent and proud member of the National Board of REALTORS® I am set to a different level of expectations and ethics. As a Buyer or Seller, anyone can be your REALTOR® professional, however, the clients that I have, chose me because no one else is me, Marisa Meeks, simply. I have mastered the art of Personal Brand whether that be in person experiences or through the digital platforms like Instagram, Facebook, etc. With that being said, going through college you come across so many people, but the most important in my opinion is your service providers, (hair, nails, doctors, etc.). I am originally from Dayton, OH but attended college at Kent State University in Kent, OH near the Cleveland, OH area. My hairdresser, Sharise and I have known each other since college and once I posted about the news of me being a Licensed Real Estate Agent she was my first client! See how life comes full circle? I was so honored. Since then, a lot of my previous colleagues from high school and college have reached out in regards to Real Estate services.

Marisa, 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?

Let me introduce myself to you in a way that brings out my passion and journey:

Hey there, I’m Marisa Irene Meeks, a dynamic blend of dreams and determination, a true embodiment of balance and ambition. I hail from Dayton, Ohio, where I was nurtured by my extraordinary parents, an Entrepreneurial Dad and an Educator Mom. They are, without a doubt, the best in the world, and my love for them knows no bounds. From them, I inherited my superpowers – the realistic sensibilities and structured work ethic from my mom and my dad’s larger-than-life dreams and unstoppable go-getter spirit. It’s these superpowers that shape the person I am today.

At a young age, I attended Jefferson Montessori for my elementary education, and later, I found my way to Charity Adams Early Academy for Girls, an all-girls school that instilled in me the values of sisterhood, etiquette, and leadership. My journey into the world of music began in second grade when I took up both the violin and piano. While I dropped the violin during my years at Stivers School for the Arts, I continued to master the piano. Music and creativity have always been my companions.

As I transitioned into high school, I attended Stivers School for the Arts and continued my passion for the piano and even delved into creative writing. This foundation set the stage for my college journey, which I embarked on at Kent State University. College life was a whirlwind of fun and learning, and I majored in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Marketing. But it was more than just academics; it was the birthplace of my entrepreneurial spirit.

In 2017, during my freshman year, I founded Marisa’s Minks LLC. From the confines of my college dorm, I set out to make beauty affordable for fellow students. My journey started with strip lashes, which I sold and applied. But, true to my enterprising spirit, I evolved to offer Eyelash Extension services, and it took off. In 2017, semi-permanent lashes were not as popular as they are today, but I had an innate eye for trends, and I’m glad I took the leap when I did. For three years, I was lashing clients in my college apartment, and Marisa’s Minks gained recognition, making appearances in blogs, on TV, and even at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, where I provided lash services during homecoming.

While I was thriving as an entrepreneur, I also made it a point to dive into the world of internships and network with at least three business professionals in my field every week. These experiences enriched my knowledge and skills, setting the stage for what was to come.

After college, I accepted a full-time position at Nordstrom Corporate for two years. The corporate family was amazing, but I realized that my true calling lay in entrepreneurship. So, I decided to make Columbus, Ohio, my base for Marisa’s Minks. I acquired a downtown location for my Lash Studio and began offering certification courses and servicing clients beyond my wildest expectations.

But that wasn’t enough. Always one to embrace new challenges, I pursued my Real Estate License. As a licensed REALTOR®, I also took on the role of managing my dad’s construction business, Monroe Industries LLC, handling custom design, new builds, and maintenance. This journey has given me a profound appreciation for real estate and the power it holds in building generational wealth. I’m on a quest to share the knowledge I’ve gained across generations, emphasizing that it’s never too late to start and encouraging everyone to break free from the confines of a box.

Today, I no longer see my endeavors as “work.” I enjoy every single thing I do, and my mission is to inspire others to do the same and break free from any limitations they perceive. I’m incredibly grateful for all that life has bestowed upon me, and I firmly believe that the sky’s the limit.

In the realm of real estate, my journey has been nothing short of exceptional. Just 52 days after obtaining my Real Estate License, I had a client under contract. I leveraged the power of social media to connect with clients and effortlessly navigate their wants and needs, creating plans, tapping into my extensive network, and closing deals. I’m a firm advocate for not counting yourself out, whether that means gaining knowledge about the home-buying process or realizing your purchasing power. I’m here to guide you on this exciting journey, and you can find me on Instagram at @msmarisameeks.

And, of course, I can’t forget my first love, Marisa’s Minks LLC. Based in Columbus, Ohio, it’s a full-service lash company with a rich history. We’ve come a long way from my apartment lash sessions, and today, we’re proud to offer semi-permanent eyelash extensions and certification courses. We’re also on the lookout for an Advanced Esthetician to join our team, so if you’re looking to conquer the lash game, reach out to us on our Instagram page @marisasminks.

In all my endeavors, my journey has been one of relentless passion, unwavering dedication, and a boundless spirit. Please feel free to connect with me in any way to help you reach your dreams. Here’s to more success!

Have you ever had to pivot?

In March 2023, I faced a job loss, something entirely unfamiliar to me, and it completely turned my 2023 upside down. But I firmly believe that God doesn’t make mistakes, and I refused to beat myself up about it. I knew in my heart that I would be okay. With two businesses to my name and my innate hustler mentality, I recognized that I had the tools to regain stability. So, I embarked on the hardest work I’d ever done.

I made a conscious decision to rid my life of anything that no longer served me – be it people, possessions, or materialistic desires. It was a significant lifestyle shift for me, especially as a full-time entrepreneur, but I needed every ounce of energy I could muster to turn my “part-time” income into a full-time source of livelihood. Up until May of 2023, I had always relied on a consistent paycheck to support myself, and I could truly feel the difference it made.

I tapped into the wisdom of mentors, harnessed the power of social media, and even found inspiration in conversations with the women at the nail shop. These collective experiences served as building blocks to restore my momentum and move forward. My unwavering determination to never quit exemplified that pivoting can be the driving force, that secret ingredient, which helps you align with the purpose that God has for you.

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

I absolutely adore MG The Mortgage Guy’s podcast, “Rants and Gems.” It has become a valuable resource for both my clients and me. I frequently direct my clients to their content, which is incredibly informative for Licensed Real Estate Agents, Buyers, Sellers, Developers, Investors, and more. Whenever I’m behind the wheel, you can bet that I’m tuning in to this podcast, soaking up new insights every single day.

One simple change I’ve made is that I now turn on podcasts during my car rides, regardless of the distance. It’s a fantastic way to continuously expand my knowledge and feed my brain with fresh ideas. Through this podcast, I’ve had the pleasure of learning about remarkable individuals like Vanessa Cole, who is a true rockstar in the Affordable Housing Community. In fact, Vanessa and I connected on LinkedIn, which I see as a testament to my commitment to using social media for genuine social interaction.

Speaking of LinkedIn, it’s my third pillar of impact. I’ve made it a personal mission to reach out to at least three business professionals every day. My aim is to provide value, gather more knowledge, seek mentorship, and build meaningful connections. After all, as the saying goes, “Closed mouths do not get fed!” If you’d like to connect with me, please feel free to follow me on LinkedIn.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://marisameeks.exprealty.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msmarisameeks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088346088692&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisa-meeks-48397212a
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@msmarisameeks
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@msmarisameeks?_t=8Xzpk0vXcja&_r=1

Image Credits
Four Eyed Portraits Quaylyn Hairston