If you’ve landed here—hi, I’m Marissa. Friends call me Riss.
Equal parts travel enthusiast and homebody, I’m most myself somewhere between faraway places and the quiet corners of home—drawn to cozy rituals, long walks with dogs, and the kind of connection that takes time.
From bright stadium lights to quiet creative studios, I’ve followed life’s twists and turns with curiosity. The common thread? A deep love for following my heart.
I’ve being part of marketing and graphic design teams—bringing ideas to life, collaborating with creative people, building partnerships, and helping shape the stories behind brands and events. The path hasn’t been linear, but it’s been rich, intentional, and deeply meaningful.
And yet, nothing shaped me more than being Maddie’s mom. When my dog lost mobility, everything shifted. Maddie softened me, slowed me down, and gave me a whole new way of moving through the world. Caring for her taught me presence, patience, and the quiet power of showing up, day after day.
Staycation Club for Dogs was born from that love—a soft landing for dogs and peace of mind for the people who love them. I care for dogs of all abilities, but when I get to help a paralyzed pup, my heart expands.
What makes this work truly profound is the people I get to help. Many of my clients are people I’ve known for years—couples whose weddings I planned decades ago, families from the fire department, coworkers I’ve stayed close with from former jobs—now trusting me with their beloved pets. That trust is humbling, and it’s a powerful reminder of how deeply interconnected our lives can be.
In many ways, this work has become my own soft landing. Dogs have seen me through life’s hardest seasons, and they continue to help me find my way forward.
Over time, I’ve fallen into a rhythm of traveling and coming home to dogs—a life of movement and stillness, adventure and routine. This balance keeps me grounded, curious, and connected to what makes me feel most alive.
