Invisible to Iconic: How She Turned Her Colors Into a Passion-led Career Change | Marissa Ray, House of Colour, Ep. 24[replay + updates]

There is a moment when something finally feels like you — not the version that carpools and manages spreadsheets, but the version that has been waiting. Marissa found hers in a color drape. She didn't blow up her life — she built a new one, slowly, intentionally, one client at a time, and she's here to show you exactly how she did it. ABOUT THIS REPLAY: This is an encore of Marissa's episode, with a fresh update on where Marissa is now. ABOUT MARISSA RAY: Marissa Ray went from dental office manager and self-described introvert to House of Colour franchise owner with a waitlist and a TV segment — not by quitting her life overnight, but by saying yes to one small thing that brought her joy and following it with intention. She built a thriving business from a converted storage room — one client at a time — while raising three daughters and navigating an adult ADHD diagnosis. Marissa is a curator of confidence, a mentor to fellow consultants, and living proof that building slow and building intentionally is not a weakness — it's the strategy. This conversation is a masterclass in building a part-time side gig into a full-time career pivot without burning down the life you already have. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: [02:30] How Marissa reclaimed her identity and sense of self — and how that single spark became a career [27:00] What intentional, slow-build growth actually looks like — the real timeline, trade-offs, and mindset behind turning a part-time side gig into a full-time business [45:00] How an adult ADHD diagnosis reframed everything about the way Marissa runs her business — and why self-awareness is a superpower, not a setback [01:01:00] How to learn to sell without feeling salesy — and why believing in your own value is the skill that unlocks everything else [01:08:00] The Profit First method in practice: how Marissa pays herself first, gives intentionally, and builds a business that funds the life she actually wants UPDATE FROM MARISSA: Since our recording, Marissa is looking to grow her team. If you're interested in learning about a meaningful career with opportunities for personal and professional growth under the leadership of Minnesota's top House of Colour franchise owner, reach out with questions. Learn more about becoming a stylist: https://www.houseofcolour.com/become-a-stylist GUEST OFFER: If you're interested in finding your own colors and style, book an appointment. Come see Marissa or find a consultant near you — there may be other stylists in your area. View all House of Colour stylists: https://www.houseofcolour.com/find-consultant And if you think this could be a career fit for you, reach out. GUEST RESOURCES Books: "Profit First" by Mike Michalowicz — The small business financial system Marissa uses to pay herself first and manage cash flow intentionally "The Total Money Makeover" / Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey — The debt-free philosophy behind Marissa's family money decisions and college savings strategy "When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing" by Daniel Pink — The book that changed how Marissa structures her entire workday and week around energy peaks and lulls "Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt — Marissa's favorite recent fiction read "It Sounds Like Love" by Ashley Poston — A romcom Marissa says stuck with her long after the last page Podcasts: The Lazy Genius Podcast by Kendra Adachi — Marissa's life-changing recommendation, and the source of the infamous "Change Your Life Chicken" recipe GUEST LINKS: Marissa Ray, House of Colour SW Minneapolis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/houseofcolour.minneapolis.sw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseofcolour.minneapolis.sw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/houseofcolour-minneapolis-sw/ Website: https://www.houseofcolour.com/stylists/marissa-ray-southwest-minneapolis-minnesota Find a consultant near you: https://www.houseofcolour.com/find-consultant CONNECT WITH SPONSOR: AION Listener promotion: 10% off with code MOLLY10, stackable with AION's current sale. HSA/FSA eligible. Website: https://www.aiongear.com/collections/mens-and-womens-workout-vest CONNECT WITH HIR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herintentionalreset.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587329908947 Website: https://www.herintentionalreset.com If HIR has been valuable to you, you can support the show here: https://ko-fi.com/herintentionalreset No pressure — just making it easy for listeners who want to say so. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/the-way-forward License code: RVGOVVHKDJFBKVJC This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend books and resources discussed on the show that I genuinely use and believe in. About the Show: Her Intentional Reset is a midlife podcast for women navigating career change — honest, deep-dive conversations about career pivots, second acts, and reinvention with women who've actually lived it. This women's empowerment podcast speaks to women in 30's, 40, women over 50, Gen X women, working moms, empty nesters, and corporate women dealing with burnout — women redefining success and finding their why after a layoff, a career wall, or the moment work just stopped feeling right. Each episode traces a real transition story: the catalyst for change behind it, whether that's a layoff story, career burnout, or hitting a wall; the steps and timeline behind how she actually made the change — quitting a corporate job, leaving corporate America, starting over professionally, and/or going from employee to entrepreneur; and an inside look at her industry along the way. The conversations also get into the practical side most career-change content skips: transferable skills, upskilling and reskilling in midlife, starting a business with no experience, and career change without a degree. And because money is always part of the story, guests talk financial planning for a career change — paying yourself first, building a financial runway and safety net, income gaps, self-employed health insurance, saving for retirement while self-employed, and the money mindset it takes to trade a paycheck for financial freedom in midlife. Guests share the career pivot lessons learned, the advice for career changers, and what they wish they'd known before quitting — then close out with a Rapid Round covering the real-life stuff: family recipes, book and show recommendations, a life motto, and a wellness or self-care tip for midlife women, because women are often each other's best guides and teachers. It's never too late to make a change, follow your intuition, and listen to that quiet voice — every episode leaves listeners feeling inspired and empowered to explore their own career pivot, second act, or next chapter, on their own terms. New episodes of this career change podcast and midlife podcast for women release biweekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.