Meet Marissa Myer

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

Marissa , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

For me, confidence has been a journey of “fake it until you make it” while embracing every opportunity to learn along the way. Starting this entrepreneurial path in my early 20s wasn’t easy—I constantly battled self-doubt, questioning whether my age, lack of experience, or what I didn’t know would hold me back. It was easy to get in my own head about ageism and imposter syndrome, but I refused to let those thoughts define me.

Rather than pretending to have all the answers, I made a conscious effort to never put myself on a pedestal and instead surround myself with mentors—people I deeply admired in business, relationships, and different areas of my field. I sought wisdom from those who had walked this road before me, and that mindset made all the difference.

What I’ve learned is that confidence isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about being willing to grow, adapt, and push forward despite uncertainty. True confidence comes from within, from showing up every day, taking risks, and proving to yourself that you are capable. Over time, the “fake it” phase transforms into real knowledge, real experience, and real confidence—because you’ve done the work to earn it.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m Founder of The Coral Nursery, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring Puerto Rico’s coral reefs and inspiring the next generation of ocean stewards. Our mission is twofold: revitalizing marine ecosystems through coral restoration and educating the community and students about the importance of ocean conservation along the way.

Coral reefs are the backbone of marine life, but they are also essential for storm protection, the economy, and oxygen production—playing a crucial role in our planet’s overall health. Through our land-based coral restoration aquaculture center, we have the ability to grow corals 25-40 times faster than natural regeneration using the cutting-edge method, micro-fragmentation. Once mature, these corals will be transplanted onto degraded reefs, helping to rebuild these critical marine habitats.

Beyond the science, I’m most excited about the educational impact. We’re launching our K-12 Aquaculture Science Program in Humacao, Puerto Rico, at our partner school, The Palmas Academy, where students will gain hands-on experience in research, data collection, and marine biology. The next generation will inherit our oceans, so engaging young minds in this work is just as important as the restoration itself.

Right now, we’re a new nonprofit in our development phase, preparing to transition from planning to execution. We are currently completing the construction of our land-based coral nursery in the Florida Keys, developed in partnership with the amazing and inspiring Dr. David Vaughan, and the Plant A Million Corals Foundation. Once site preparation at The Palmas Academy is complete, the nursery will be shipped and installed, marking a major milestone toward full-scale coral restoration. At the same time, we are developing the site at the school, ensuring that we create an impactful and sustainable space for both restoration efforts and hands-on education.

Our groundbreaking event is coming up this Earth Day, a key step in bringing this vision to life. We welcome the community to join us in celebrating this milestone, and we can’t wait to start living out our mission—making a tangible impact in coral restoration.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Perseverance & Problem-Solving

One of the biggest challenges I faced was securing land for The Coral Nursery. For 2.5 years, I searched for the right location—relying on partnerships rather than purchasing land, as a nonprofit budget wouldn’t allow for large real estate investments. Several times, I was promised a parcel that seemed perfect, only to have the possible partnerships pull back or make different arrangements after months of waiting. It was frustrating and discouraging, and at one point, I almost gave up. Now, we’re at the perfect location, The Palmas Academy, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Advice: Perseverance is key. Opportunities will fall through, and things won’t always go as planned, but you have to keep pushing forward. Stay committed to your mission, remain open to alternative solutions, and trust that the right opportunity will come at the right time.

2. Relationship Building & Communication

I quickly realized that who you know and how you communicate your vision matters just as much—if not more—than what you know. Whether it was forming partnerships, working with local schools, or rallying community support, the ability to build strong relationships and clearly articulate mission and vision makes all the difference.

Advice: Focus on networking and mentorship from day one. Seek out people who have done what you aspire to do and learn from them. Also, refine your ability to speak and write persuasively—your passion and ideas won’t gain traction if you can’t communicate them effectively.

3. Resilience & Confidence

Being a young woman launching a nonprofit in my early 20s – imposter syndrome was real. I often questioned whether I had enough experience or knowledge to take on such a big project. But I learned that confidence comes from action—from showing up every day, learning as I go, and proving to myself that I am capable.

Advice: Trust yourself, but stay humble enough to learn from those ahead of you. Move around, be uncomfortable, put yourself out there.

At the end of the day, success is about persistence, relationships, and a willingness to adapt. Keep pushing forward, surround yourself with people who inspire you, and never be afraid to just start—even if you don’t have it all figured out yet. I haven’t even claimed the word “success” yet, only trying my best to run towards it.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

The Bible.

Without a doubt, the most valuable and impactful book in my life is the Bible. My faith is what grounds me, especially in the face of challenges and uncertainties that come with running a nonprofit and navigating entrepreneurship. There are always going to be problems that arise—whether it’s logistics, timelines, or even people that test my patience. God’s Word reminds me to trust in His plan, stay steady in my purpose, and lead with patience and kindness no matter the situation.

One of my favorite verses is Joshua 1:9—“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” This verse, and many others, give me the confidence to keep moving forward, knowing that I’m never alone in this journey. “Do not be afraid” or variations like, “fear not,” appear 365 times in the Bible. One for each day, don’t forget it!

No matter what comes my way, my faith keeps me anchored, reminding me that I’m not just working toward my own goals, but toward a greater purpose. For me, it’s protecting and restoring God’s creation. What’s your purpose? This life is but a dream, I’m preparing for an eternity with Him.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.coralnursery.org
• Instagram: @thecoralnursery
• Facebook: The Coral Nursery of Puerto Rico
• Linkedin: The Coral Nursery of Puerto Rico

Image Credits

N/A