Hidden Gems: Meet Marisa Meeks of Marisa Meeks, Realtor ®

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

Hi Marisa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Dayton, OH by an Entrepreneur (Dad) and Educator (Mom). My parents are the best in the world and I love them immensely. I’ve always had the balance of realistic capabilities/work structure from my mom and the “Larger than life dreams” and go-getter mentally of my dad. With these 2 superpowers, you create me, Marisa Irene Meeks, the Lash Enthusiast at Marisa’s Minks LLC. (a business I created my freshman year of college in 2017), the Realtor ®, and the Production Coordinator. 

For elementary school, I attended Jefferson Montessori (when it was a school, RIP to the “little” building, IYKYK) and then attended Charity Adams Early Academy for Girls – an all-girls school that taught me sisterhood, etiquette, and leadership. I began taking up violin and piano in 2nd grade. I attended Stivers School for the Arts from middle school to high school and dropped violin, but kept piano. I would go on to study piano and creative writing at my Performing Arts School then leaving for college at Kent State University. College was SO much fun! I majored in Fashion Merchandising and minored in Marketing. 

This was also the birthing place of Marisa’s Minks LLC. I found a need to make beauty affordable to other fabulous college students and I did that through lashes. I originally sold and applied strip lashes out of my college dorm. Eventually, I graduated to Eyelash Extensions services after my freshman year of college and it took off! Semi-permanent lashes in 2017 were not as popular as they are today in 2023, but let’s just say I have an eye for trends and I’m glad I started when I did! I was lashing clients in my college apartment for all 3 years and Marisa’s Minks made blogs, TV, and even Spellman College in Atlanta, GA. Yup, that’s right, I had my lash bed on my right shoulder and lash kit in my left-hand taking appointments during homecoming. As far as academics, I did all the internships you could think of and made it my duty to network with at least 3 business professionals in my field every week. 

Upon graduation, I accepted a Full-Time position at Nordstrom Corporate for 2 years and then moved to Columbus, OH after gaining clientele for Marisa’s Minks. Corporate family was amazing but the work just wasn’t for me. As business was booming in Columbus, OH – I decided to get a location downtown to service clients. Upon receiving the keys to my Lash Studio downtown Columbus, OH, I began to host even more certification courses and clients than I could have imagined. 

After deciding to leave corporate, I reached out to a Production Agency that I knew produced New York Fashion Week, LA Fashion Week, Miami Swim Week, and events alike and was honored to be hired as a Production Coordinator. I am absolutely blessed to be able to be a part of such amazing groups of people and projects on such larger-than-life scales. 

To think that a new position in Production and maintaining a Lash Business wasn’t enough, I decided to go for my Real Estate License here in Columbus, OH as well. Since becoming a licensed Realtor ®, my dad allowed me to manage his construction business, Monroe Industries LLC. where we handle all things custom design, new build, and maintenance. I have gained a new appreciation for Real Estate and what it truly means to build Generational Wealth and as I continue to learn and grow within this industry it is important to share the knowledge I have learned with all generations. It’s never too late to start and just like my journey throughout all my endeavors, I’ve always served as a source of encouragement, knowledge, and uplifting energy for anyone connected to me. I can truly say that I no longer “work” as I enjoy every single thing I do. I just encourage others to do the same and to never put yourself in a box. I’m so very blessed for what God has given me and it’s only up from here! 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Having to juggle multiple hats isn’t easy at all. I get asked all the time how do I carry it so well, and the answer is because God allows me to. I believe I am put in front of the right opportunities at the right time. I schedule my life accordingly. I have a schedule that allows me to be very flexible with the bends of entrepreneurship and life – I just simply do not break. At the end of the day, this is all something I decided for myself. No one told me to do all that I’m doing – but it must be ordained for my life since God has blessed me with all the opportunity so he will make a way. When I get overwhelmed – I take 5 minutes and let it out. After that – it’s back to the grind! Outside of work it’s important for me to rest. I find that when I’m well rested a lot of the things that would stress me out or get me off my game, doesn’t phase me. Lastly, I think it’s all about having a support system and asking the right questions. I have had a mentor in every journey/endeavor that I embarked on and it shows. A lot of their mistakes weren’t mine – but the mistakes I do make I learn from them or at least have a second opinion from someone who has been in my shoes. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Realtor ® After 52 days of receiving my Real Estate License I had a client Under Contract and leveraged social media to gain clientele. I am a natural. I simply see the wants/needs of my clients, create a plan, leverage my network to get the best outcome for my clients, and close the deal. I am a huge advocate for not counting yourself out and whether that’s just gaining knowledge on the home-buying process or simply seeking what Purchase Power you have, I’m your girl! I look forward to meeting all new clients and can be found @msmarisameeks on IG. 

Lash Enthusiast 

Marisa’s Minks LLC. is a Full-Service Lash Company that is based in downtown Columbus, OH on 35 E. Gay St. I am proud of the longevity of the brand and the returning clients that still come to this day from 2017. I am even more proud of the growth from lashing in my apartment to having a beautiful location in the heart of Columbus, OH. Our most popular service is our semi-permanent eyelash extensions and Certification Courses. We are also hiring for an Advanced Esthetician, so if you’re looking to take over the Lash Game reach out to our IG page @marisasminks. 

What makes you happy?
I make myself happy. When I am at peace, healthy (mentally, physically, and emotionally), and living a life God wants for me I can’t complain. I sometimes smile in quiet moments after realizing how blessed I am and to live life the way I do. It could be the simplest form of performing my skincare routine at night or in the morning waking up and seeing my cat Marlo laying on my legs. It really is the simplest form of happiness for me and that’s me being me and doing me and focusing on bettering Marisa. 

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
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@msmarisameeks?_t=8Xzpk0vXcja&_r=1

Image Credits
Four Eyed Portraits
Quaylyn Hairston