I find these interviews to be very helpful and insightful. I’m inspired by entrepreneur’s journeys and love that you have a whole section on it. Marissa’s lesson of perseverance (when you’re in the middle of the ocean, you have to keep swimming) was right on. Great interview!
.-= Rita Luppino´s last blog ..RitaLuppino- RT @85Broads- The problem with congress- 90 of congress sees it as their job- 10 views it as their passion- Reshma Saujani @reshma2010 =-.

Natalie:

I absolutely loved this interview. Marissa is so right on. Like Manisha and Natalie I resonated with many of her statements.

I applaud her willingness to embrace change, for her life and business to be created around her stake of core values, and that she realized early in life what she did NOT want.

A hearty “hurrah”!

Thank you so much for the comments. I truly view life as one long series of ever-changing circumstances.

Everything turns into something else. Trying to cling to hold off change is like trying to hold onto running water. Instead of trying to stop it in its place, you need embrace how it feels as it’s going through you at that exact moment in time. Cherish what you are and where you are today, because tomorrow what you will be, and where you will be, will be different. Everything changes.

Conversely, you can use this knowledge to carry you through difficult times. This point in time is only that – a fleeting point in time. While our experiences often take on lives of their own as we live through them, they are never permanent. Some of the anguish that accompanies sadness and difficulty is having to let go of what is familiar, mourning the loss of what we know or of a hope that we held close, and the uncertainty that things will get better.

But for better or for worse, everything changes. The clouds do lift. And we grow. With every experience, we grow.

Natalie – Yet another GREAT interview. My favorite lines from Marissa (and it was hard to pick because her words are chocked full of hard earned wisdom…):

“You can’t build a business on your own, and you have so much to learn. Surround yourself with people that know more than you do and stay connected to others that emotionally support you.”

“Stay true to your core value system, and don’t forget to have a family life. I see so many women business owners delaying their family plans or becoming so engrossed with their businesses that they don’t nurture other essential relationships. There will never be a “right time” to try and have it all.”

Amen on both fronts!!

Natalie this is a great interview. I particularly like how clear Marissa is on her role in life. I love her statement about being both a teacher and a student, a mentor and a protege.

I also totally relate to being present in everything that you do. Sometimes that’s actually harder said than done in this world that demands so much of our time online and offline.

Really enjoyed reading this. You’ve inspired me to get one of my recent interviews up on my site.

With entrepreneurial pizazz!

Natalie
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..8 Steps To Becoming a Savvy Social Media Entrepreneur =-.