Marissa Burns is a personal stylist, a Nonahood resident, and owns The Cheap Chic Life boutique with her mom, Cheryl Moore. Read our interview with her below!

Nonahood News: What is your job?

Marissa Burns: I am a personal stylist, image consultant and boutique owner. I work to empower women through their style. Whether that’s through the clothes and accessories we carry, working with clients, or speaking to groups of professionals.

NHN: What does your day-to-day schedule look like?

MB: That varies. I do things to keep our boutique running and work with clients. I also speak to professional groups on the importance of styling in their brand and of presenting themselves well. Each day looks different, but that’s what I enjoy. I also have two kids, so it’s juggling all that alongside being present and engaged with my family. 

NHN: What are the most challenging aspects of your job?

MB: It’s probably the same across several different industries, but managing what needs to get done on a day-to-day basis or a week-to-week basis with long-term goals and passion projects I want to be working on. It’s tricky to be able to create time and space for the big projects as opposed to the little things that must get done day-to-day to keep things running. The challenges are probably similar to most entrepreneurs. 

NHN: What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?

MB: Working alongside my mom, Cheryl Moore, is a blessing. I’m an only child, so we’re both grateful to have that special relationship and be able to work on something we’re both passionate about together. The other thing that makes my heart happy is when I see pieces from our boutique on women out in the community. 

NHN: What got you interested in doing your job in Lake Nona? 

MB: I think it was my mom’s desire to get back into the industry. Having been a designer with her own clothing line and a stylist for commercials before, she had a desire to get back into the biz. I had just had my second child and it was an invitation to do this. Without her, I probably would have made excuses for not pursuing my passion. I am grateful to her for pushing us to go on this awesome journey together because it’s brought a lot of purpose to my life. We opened our boutique at the end of 2019. Which is, in retrospect, a very challenging time. We added personal styling in the spring of 2020 on the heels of COVID lockdown because we were sensing the need for women to find motivation to get dressed again. We’re motivated by helping empower women through styling.

NHN: Do you have any hobbies, collections or interests?

MB: I’ve always enjoyed writing, probably because I’ve always enjoyed talking. It’s something I’m excited about picking up again and pursuing in 2023. I’m excited to be able to intentionally focus on writing and creating content and style resources for our clients and customers and starting to write for Nonahood News (we’re going to do a style column).

NHN: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

MB: I want to remain faithful to God’s guidance. 2020 taught us to plan with intention, but to also be open and adaptable. I hope to always be in the arena of empowering women and using fashion and style know-how to do that whether that’s growing the boutique and styling resources, writing, speaking, and presenting to help women, or having a store on Narcoossee.

NHN: What brought you to Lake Nona?

MB: My family and I have lived in Lake Nona for about four years, but my husband has been with his organization for about 14 years, and he works on Narcoossee Road. We’ve seen the changes and evolution of this community. We feel like we adopted Lake Nona as our community long before we lived here.

NHN: Where are you originally from?

MB: I was born in Miami but grew up in St. Petersburg.

NHN: What is your favorite thing about Lake Nona?

MB: The people. You could visit our attractions and drive down Narcoossee without knowing what a vibrant community of small businesses is here, but once you start to seek them out, you start meeting the same faces and building relationships with people who are passionate about investing in our community and shaping it into something we can all be proud of.

NHN: What would you say to anyone who is considering a move to Lake Nona?

MB: Pack your patience on Narcoossee Road…maybe also pack a snack and a good podcast! I would also say welcome. We’d love to have you join us and work together to shape Lake Nona into the most connected, vibrant community in Central Florida.