Peace, Purpose, and Profits: Marissa Rodriguez on Building a Business That Serves Your Life
Marissa Rodriguez didn’t set out to become an eCommerce mentor or digital nomad. Her story starts like many others, with a corporate ladder, a prestigious title, and a growing sense that none of it actually felt like success. What followed was a leap into the unknown, a shift into entrepreneurship, and ultimately, a decision to design life on her own terms. Today, Marissa helps clients generate millions in online revenue while living in Greece and running Through Experience, a platform dedicated to helping others find the same kind of freedom.
In this conversation, Marissa brings a mix of strategy, honesty, and clarity that cuts through the noise of internet business advice. If you’ve been chasing growth, stuck in overwhelm, or thinking about transitioning from traditional business into something more scalable and fulfilling, this is the perspective shift you need.
From Layoff to Launch
In 2015, the company Marissa worked for shut down without warning. She was left jobless and on her own for the first time in her adult life. Instead of rushing back into the job market, she paused. That stillness brought clarity. She realized she had no desire to keep climbing someone else’s ladder. She wanted ownership. She wanted time. And she wanted to build something that aligned with how she wanted to live.
Marissa became a fractional CMO and COO, focusing exclusively on eCommerce and direct to consumer brands. It wasn’t just a pivot. It was a commitment to mastering a business model she believed in. That decision has helped her clients generate over 100 million dollars in revenue and positioned her as a leading strategist in the space.
Why eCommerce Is Not Just Retail Online
One of Marissa’s most important insights is this: eCommerce is not just retail with a digital checkout. It is a different business model with different economics, marketing, and operations.
“People show up to eCommerce with a retail mindset,” she says. “They think they need to change the homepage like a window display, but that only works when your traffic is local and repeat. Online, most of your visitors are seeing you for the first time. What they need is clarity and consistency.”
She urges founders to stop chasing trends and start mastering fundamentals. Get traffic to your site, convert it into an email list, and then into purchases. Everything else is noise.
The Power of Paid Ads and Email
Marissa is direct about what works. Organic social is fine for building brand recognition, but it is not what drives consistent growth. Paid traffic is the only way to guarantee volume and predictability.
“If you want a million dollars in revenue, you need about 300,000 dollars in ad spend. Paid traffic and a strong email marketing program are the core of every sustainable eCommerce brand.”
She also calls out the pressure to build a personal brand on social media. “Nobody needs you to go viral. They need to know how your product solves a problem. Your message should be that clear.”
When Brick and Mortar Isn’t Enough
Marissa breaks down why brick and mortar businesses often fail when they try to expand online. It is not a simple extension. It is a new company.
“eCommerce isn’t just a channel. It needs its own budget, strategy, and team. The economics are different. The skill sets are different. You have to treat it as a separate business.”
This mindset shift is essential for anyone trying to do both. It’s not about repurposing what you already know. It’s about learning a new game and committing to play it well.
How to Scale Without Full-Time Staff
Marissa’s own business model proves that scale does not require a full team. She works with founders who are bringing in 20 to 50 million dollars annually without a single employee.
“You do not need staff. You need specialists who are excellent at their role. Think of it like a relay race. Each person runs their section, and the baton gets passed cleanly.”
This model allows for flexibility, lean operations, and world class talent without the overhead of a traditional structure.
The Move to Greece
In 2021, Marissa took a solo trip to Greece. What started as a quick getaway turned into 101 days of personal transformation. By the end of that summer, she knew she wasn’t going back.
“I walked through the Athens airport and felt like I was home. I didn’t plan it, but I knew.”
She applied for a digital nomad visa, closed her lease in New York, and moved. It was more than a relocation. It was the physical manifestation of the freedom she had been working toward for years.
Peace, Purpose, and Profits
Today, Marissa’s framework for life and business is clear. Peace. Purpose. Profits. She is not chasing hustle. She is focused on alignment.
The goal is not just revenue. It is leverage. It is optionality. It is a business that serves your life, not the other way around.
As she puts it, “Play the hand you’ve been dealt. And know that just by making one decision, you’re already changing what’s possible.”
What She Would Tell Her Younger Self
“Bet on yourself. That’s it. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. They never come. Just take the next step.”
Marissa’s story is a reminder that your best life does not come from following the script. It comes from trusting your instincts, learning the right skills, and building something that actually works for you.
If you are ready to move past burnout, confusion, or corporate limitations, this is your sign. You do not need to be in the same room or even the same country to create something powerful. You just need to start.
Connect with Marissa Rodriguez:
Website:
https://throughexperience.com
About Page:
https://throughexperience.com/about
Instagram:
@throughexperienceofficial
Facebook:
Through Experience
LinkedIn (Marissa Rodriguez):
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-rodriguez-6192b327
