Today we’d like to introduce you to Marianne Murciano.
Marianne, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My story starts in Havana, Cuba, where I lived until the age of three. I was blessed to have parents who left the island for a better life of freedom in the U.S. I grew up in my beloved Miami with three brothers and a tight-knit group of family (everyone was a cousin!) and friends. My natural curiosity since I was very young about everything in my new home led me to study journalism at Florida International University. I began working in news radio, then on to being a television reporter at Miami’s popular independent station WCIX. That experience led me to anchoring shows in two major cities, first Miami for WSVN and WTVJ, then in Chicago at the Fox-owned station WFLD as a morning anchor. That’s where I met my co-anchor and future husband, Bob Sirott.
As a TV personality for morning news and entertainment shows, I interviewed lifestyle experts from Rachel Ray to Martha Stewart to Dr. Oz. I spoke to every popular chef, doctor dispensing medical advice, travel expert, all the experts. From spending time with them on my shows, I got a first-hand education about topics from health to wealth to everything in between. During that time, I was also a wife and a mom dealing with my own busy life balancing a career and raising three children.
This all led me to my true passion, being a lifestyle expert with products and a book coming in 2020. Lots of people come out with a book first and then try to figure out products to sell. But knowing nothing about the world of business I decided to tackle the hardest part first. Products. I focused on throwing myself into learning everything from the best sources which I could easily find thanks to my reporter skills. I know how to cut to the chase and find the best advice and tips either from my own life or from experts. I began by focusing on green products as we’re all trying our best to be eco-friendly. But I’m expanding to “savvy,” or smart products- things that can help all of us in everyday life.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Yes, there have been struggles but I’d rather look at them as exciting challenges! My entire life I’ve had to sell myself as an on camera personality, reporter, anchor, entertainer, or influencer on social media. Making a transition from selling myself to e-commerce is a huge pivot. I’ve taken it step by step by educating myself. I started with one product and then another and then a third one, leading up to my latest product– a lifestyle book to help people enhance all aspects of their lives.
A few years ago, I went back to school and got my Masters of Fine Arts degree in fiction writing. I really enjoyed the writing but that wasn’t going to help me in the world of business. So this time around, I took on-line courses and learned about e-commerce and how to market my products and sell them on Amazon. Instead of just jumping in, I learned about the pitfalls and then avoided many of them. There have certainly been struggles including learning the hard way how to market without spending so much money upfront that there’s no room for profit. But I don’t consider any of these real struggles like I said. I look at them as opportunities to grow.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Savvy Planet story. Tell us more about the business.
The Savvy Planet brand is about life wisdom. I’ve taken all the knowledge I’ve acquired and practiced over the years and share that wealth of information. The most important thing about my book, A Savvy Guide to Life, is shining a light on the reality that most issues don’t have just one solution. No matter what you desire, whether it’s to lose weight, get healthier, sleep better, get a job, be more spiritual, or simply enjoy life more, it’s always a combination of factors that leads to accomplishing those goals. The tips offered in my book are very user and reader-friendly and they’re laced with a spirit of fun. But for many, it will be life-changing at the same time.
For the past five years, I’ve been doling out advice and recipes on my food and travel website, SusosFork.com. Now it’s all going to fall under Savvy Planet. Savvy Planet is all about becoming self-aware and getting armed with the best information. I’m proud to be able to help people especially when they’re going through life transitions like I am currently. As a new empty nester, I’m downsizing to a smaller home. My goals have changed. My kids are starting their own lives while I’m looking for the next chapter of my own life. I think a lot of people can relate to that. We’re all constantly transitioning and if I can make it easier for anyone else, then that’s the goal.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
What role has luck played in my life? It depends on how you define luck. I believe luck happens when you work for years nonstop and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way and you fail a bunch of times until one day you don’t. Luck is a result of a lot of hard work and perseverance. It happens when you don’t take no for an answer. When you don’t quit. When you go against the odds and stay positive even when it seems like nothing is going your way.
It’s also how you look at things. The last time my radio contract was not renewed, I first felt very unlucky. I had so many bills to pay and I depended on my salary. But losing my job inspired me to reinvent myself and find a passion that didn’t depend on anyone else. I was motivated to work for myself. Looking back now losing that job was one of the luckiest things that happened to me. Luck happens when you set goals, visualize, work on manifesting and above all, help others. It always comes back. That’s when one day you become an overnight success and people think you’re just lucky!
Contact Info:
- Website: savvy-planet.com
- Email: info@savvy-planet.com
- Instagram: @havanagirl
- Facebook: facebook.com/sirottandmurciano
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