Life & Work with Marisa Gonzales

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marisa Gonzales. 

Hi Marisa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

I was raised in a Spanglish-speaking Mexican household with both parents and an older brother in small-town Blue Springs, MO. I wasn’t sure what to do with my life until I reached high school. Mostly, because my heart was torn between design and helping others by becoming a surgical technician. Ultimately – design won over anatomy (this time around). 

After earning an Advertising Design & Commercial Art associates degree at Metropolitan Community College – Penn Valley in KCMO – I moved to Arizona. This move got me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to attain a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design. After graduating college, I worked various design jobs. Ultimately, I became an art director/graphic designer for a family-owned/operated small business.

I loved Arizona, especially the year-round events, beautiful scenery and weather (excluding the hot summers unless I was pool-side). But I missed my family and friends who were back in Missouri/Kansas. So I went back home to Missouri where I worked as a production artist/designer for a few design agencies. 

As grateful as I was for the vast opportunities to learn from so many talented art directors and designers – I decided to take a little detour. It’s interesting how a crash – the market crash of 2007 – 2008 reignited my passion for anatomy and helping others. This detour led me on a journey to seek an associates degree in physical therapist assistant. 

Once I had my degree in hand, I got to work at a local, acute therapeutic rehab center. Here, I got to work with the geriatric population. And while I helped them recover – their stories fed my creative soul. 

After several years of helping others – burn out, fatigue, and stress set in. It was then that I knew – my heart truly belonged to design. 

So I answered the call and went back to design. This pivot meant I was following my heart. And It led to the flexibility I needed to spend more time with my husband and newborn son. 

As a result, I re-learned design software and built my design portfolio slowly with client branding and social media graphics. And in 2018, I launched Marisa Gonzales Studios, LLC as the go-to design + website development boutique for purpose/mission-driven female business owners who were ready to scale their business and marketing strategy.

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?

Overall, I feel my road has been smooth with some minor bumps. Like many new business owners, it was exciting to be out on my own. But soon it hit me…the success of this business fell solely on my shoulders.

Some of my struggles have been working with imposter syndrome, setting client boundaries for work/life balance, putting myself “out there” (without feeling like I’m spreading myself thin), addressing my mental health needs, learning new skills that align with my goals and client needs, and balancing business expectations and goals with family-time. It’s not as easy as everyone thinks business ownership should be. But, it’s very rewarding.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

I am a graphic artist/designer that specializes in developing custom visual brands (logos and business suites) as well as website design + development (with WordPress) for purpose/mission-driven female business owners. I’m known for captivating clients and increasing conversions with strategic, intuitive digital storytelling. 

All branding + website designs are completely custom to each client’s business. This includes extensive market research to connect with their ideal client. Pre-designed templates are not an option for my clients when designing with corazon – heart + mind + soulful design. 

I strategically capture my client’s essence to speak to her/their ideal clientele through digital marketing. When I’m developing branding or websites for my clients, it’s an immersive and exploratory experience for all involved.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?

As a kid, I enjoyed staying at my grandmother, Paz’s house in Kansas City, MO. We had so much fun exploring the city by walking several blocks from her house to the Plaza. I remember window shopping, having Baskin Robbins ice cream, and riding the bus to various destinations from this magical location. It was the best place for people-watching (an exercise that led me to fall in love with the human spirit and the stories it weaves).

When I was in my pre-teen/early teen years, I would travel during the summer to Mexico with my grandmother (just the two of us) for a month to visit family, sight-see, and learn more about my culture. I absolutely loved it because it was so interesting and so different from what I already knew in Missouri. 

These travels opened my eyes to the beauty of Mexico – but also highlighted the overlooked population of impoverished people. This gave me a whole new perspective and appreciation for my blessings (for which I’m grateful to this day). It was these trips in my early years that planted a seed of passion for traveling and researching more cultures that have inspired my design work.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.marisagstudios.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/marisagstudios
• Facebook: facebook.com/marisagstudios
• Twitter: twitter.com/marisagstudios
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/65294848/admin/

Image Credits
Marisa Gonzales Studios, LLC