We recently connected with Marissa Pick and have shared our conversation below.
Marissa, so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?
As a lifelong athlete, I learned at an early age that self-discipline is a fundamental part of competitive sports, necessary on and off the field. During my time at Brandeis University, I played softball and continued to strengthen my self-discipline to compete at peak performance. This involved controlling my thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to achieve my long-term goals. While some may argue it’s an innate trait, I would argue that it can be developed over time.
I’m certainly seeing this with my sons, Lucas and Reid. Getting them involved in sports has played an instrumental role in helping them developing high levels of self-discipline. My husband was also a college athlete, and we agree that sports offer a tremendous opportunity to shape young minds. We are proud to be active and involved with our sons’ sports, coaching their teams, supporting their programs, and most importantly encouraging them to give 100%. I hope you will join us in encouraging our youth to stay active and build the discipline they need to succeed.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Marissa Pick, and I am the founder of Marissa Pick Consulting LLC., where I provide strategic consulting focused on Digital Transformation, Content Marketing, Social Media Strategy, Personal Branding, and more. I work with a variety of brands and individuals to build a strategy for leveraging social media and digital marketing as a part of their business’ long-term growth and success.
I have an extensive background in digital marketing, and I’ve worked across several industries including events and publishing, and eventually found myself very niche and focused on financial services. Given that financial services are somewhat behind on their digital marketing strategies, I was able to effectively align myself with my clients’ compliance teams to ensure brand safety in a digital environment. It has been very exciting and dynamic to enter rooms with people who simply don’t believe in the power of social media and eventually work to showcase what success looks like.
Sometimes changing the status quo can be frustrating, but it’s essential to stay open-minded and practice what you preach. When I began my career in digital marketing and social media, it was a new and emerging field. I put in the hard work to show the impact of having a strong strategy in place. During the pandemic, while many businesses struggled, I was able to help them digitize and maximize their online channels. I hope that we can continue to push for progress, innovate, and embrace new challenges as they arise.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
- NETWORK!
I strongly encourage people who are just starting out to network as much as possible. Networking can provide you a competitive edge, invaluable information, and significantly strengthen relationships and connections. One of the biggest things I’ve learned is to network without an agenda. This really helps to keep an open mind! I try to have 1-2 virtual coffee meetings every week and allow the conversation to progress organically. You never know where a conversation (or your career path) may lead you, so try to stay in the moment and enjoy the process.
- Have Fun!
If you’ve ever felt like you’re not achieving your full potential, you’re not alone. But as a business owner, you have ultimate control over your success. With hard work, determination, and a can-do attitude, you have the potential to achieve incredible results. Remember, the only person stopping you from achieving your goals is yourself. This realization can be incredibly liberating. So, have fun and make the most of every day! Embrace the power you have to take control and write your own story.
For those of you considering setting up your own business, I urge you to translate thought into action. Yes, it’s a lot of work and it requires you to hustle, but it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!
- Invest in Your Personal Brand.
Investing in your personal brand can help you stand out from others, build stronger connections with your audience, and encourage growth. A personal brand is a curated image of your personality, skills, experiences, and behavior. It’s a reflection of your genuine strengths, passions, values, and beliefs.
Creating a strong personal brand can differentiate you from others in your industry and open up new opportunities. By showcasing your unique qualities and perspectives, you can attract the right people and gain their trust. In today’s competitive job market, having a strong personal brand can give you the edge you need to succeed.
So, my advice is to take the time to invest in yourself and develop your personal brand. Identify your strengths and values and build a cohesive image that reflects who you are. Whether you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or job seeker, a strong personal brand can help you achieve your goals and make a lasting impact.
Five years ago, I took the leap from my full-time job to set up my consulting business. As someone who was running a global team and traveling extensively, I realized that I was missing precious moments at home with my family. After our second son was born, I decided to put myself first and prioritize what mattered to me at that moment. It wasn’t an easy decision, but once I refocused, I felt at ease and knew I’d made the right choice. Remember, it’s never too late to pursue your dreams and prioritize what matters most to you. If you’re thinking of starting your own business, my advice is to take the leap! You won’t regret it.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
Family support has been key to my success. My husband has been instrumental in my journey as an entrepreneur. He has always been my biggest cheerleader, encouraging me to start my own business and believing in me every step of the way. I credit a lot of my professional growth and success to his unwavering support.
I’m grateful for my two sons, Lucas and Reid, who motivate me to focus on what really matters – family. Building a business is a journey filled with both successes and failures, and it won’t happen overnight. That’s why I’m living in the moment and appreciating each step of the way. Life is too short to miss out on precious moments.
I am incredibly grateful for the mentors I have met throughout my professional journey. Their unconditional support has been invaluable to me– as both clients and friends. I am fortunate to have had such amazing individuals guide me along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marissapick.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissapick/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissapick/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/marissapick
