Meet Our Team- Marissa
A few weeks ago I talked to the staff about the possibility of highlighting each of them on our website. They weren’t opposed. I sent a list of questions not knowing who would complete them, and who would roll their eyes, but I am happy to share with you that you’ll be seeing some great blogs in the coming weeks.
Some responses are deep, insightful, sometimes funny, sometimes surprising, and always great information from the fabulous individuals that make up our TEAM!
This week we are highlighting Marissa. Marissa has been with us since the very beginning.
She is organized, energetic, friendly, knowledgeable and always, always a hit with our customers. Marissa’s leadership on the wine bar floor has helped add to the early success and return customers to the wine bar. She helped us with our soft openings and she was here to help us through our Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening.
As business owners, Marissa is a dream come true for us. I loved reading her responses to my little survey of questions. She knows herself well, exhibits the same confidence in her responses as she shares with our customers each and every day at the wine bar.
I know you will enjoy getting to know her through her responses shared in this blog. When you next see Marissa, tell her how much you appreciate her! We sure do!
Clemson Wine Bar Staff Questionnaire
Name: Marissa
About Me:
Hello Friends! I am a native South Carolinian born and reared in Anderson, SC. I graduated high school from a small private school in Anderson before starting pre-med at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. A few years later, I found myself at Clemson University as a horticulture major pursuing more holistic health care options.
Fun fact about me: I grew up in a biracial family which always allowed me to appreciate people that were different from me. Travelling is my favorite atmosphere for meeting new people, but the Clemson Wine Bar is a pretty close second.
What do you love most about working at Clemson Wine Bar?
At CWB, I have the opportunity to watch how a good glass of wine and great company can make life much sweeter. My favorite part about being on the clock is when I can call people by name, pour them their favorite glass, and then have a great conversation 🙂
What is your favorite – go to glass of wine at the Clemson Wine Bar?
Right now it’s, Louis Latour Grand Ardeche Chardonnay for a white wine, and Elio Altare Barbera d’Alba for a red.
What have you learned since working at the Clemson Wine Bar that you didn’t know before working here?
I have learned about and tasted many new varietals since April! Each new wine is a brand new experience, so I can definitely say I have learned quite a bit.
Name someone, past or present, who you admire and inspires you, and why.
I have always been inspired by Angelina Jolie. I think that being a humanitarian is a job in and of itself, and it has always blown me away that someone with so much money, fame, and power, still pushes to meet and help people around the world.
What was the last book you read?
The last book I read was When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. It’s a must read, and a very moving book.
Last movie you saw or your favorite movie ever?
My favorite movie ever is You’ve Got Mail. New York City, Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, what more do you need?
What are you currently watching on Netflix?
I just started watching GLOW. I’m a sucker for anything with a female lead, and so far it’s pretty entertaining!
Do you have any pet peeves?
I have a few, but my biggest is when I see people going with the mainstream agenda instead of embracing what might make them different. Albert Einstein says it best, “Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.”
Do you have any skills/talents that most people don’t know about?
I sing and play instruments! I have recorded a few things, but it has always been a very personal art; an outlet that I have been able to use when I cope through life’s unexpected events.
Name three words that you would use to describe YOU:
Genuine. Easy-going. Organized.
What do you want to make sure you do before you leave planet Earth?
Make a serious impact on someone who might otherwise have been ignored (homeless, underprivileged, disabled, orphan, etc.)
What are you happiest doing when you are not working?
My favorite things to do in my free time include: hiking, spending time with Zander my sweet boyfriend, walking my precious fur babies, and of course, drinking fabulous wine!
Do you have a personal motto?
“Take what is given to you and make it into something that will give back even after you are gone.”
If you won the lottery tomorrow, what type of business/company/non-profit would you start? (of course, in addition to staying on with the Wine Bar ☺)
I would love to start a benefit corporation of any kind that allows for people who have difficulty finding a job (disabled, homeless, underprivileged, addict, ex-convict, etc.), to work and grow as a professional. Personally, I have received many second chances in life, and I would love to give those second chances or even first chances to others.