Conversations with Marisa Rodriguez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marisa Rodriguez

Hi Marisa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Born in Chicago, my family and I relocated to Phoenix when I was a teenager. This is where my career and journey in the childcare industry began, over two decades ago. As the eldest of ten children, I became a caregiver early on, which was a role that set me up for what would become my biggest passion in helping others. When I first began my career in town, I worked for a few families and went on to align with a local agency that helped me to work and travel with local sports professionals and Executives. My niche as a Nanny was the gift of sleep. I was able to get every baby and child I cared for to nap successfully, despite parents telling me that their child “doesn’t take naps”. During this time, I was asked to help a family with newborn triplets overnight and jumped at the opportunity. This was the experience that solidified my desire to work and specialize in newborn care.  I continued to work in Phoenix as a Nanny for years right up until I had my own daughter. Unfortunately, as a then single Mom, I experienced discrimination. Less than two weeks of having my baby, I was let go, without cause and with no severance pay. I cannot begin to describe the shock and despair I felt in that moment, but I had to brush it off and forge ahead.

 Despite being only a few weeks postpartum, I began to look for work immediately. What I came to realize after a string of awkward interviews, was that no one wanted to hire a nanny who was a single Mom and a PT student. I felt abandoned, and unsure what my future and the future of my baby looked like. Due to the inappropriate questioning in those interviews, I realized that it was time for a career change, but what? Being a Nanny was what I knew and was good at. I had been in a long distance relationship, and had decided it was best to move forward as friends. Even though we were not together his parents embraced my daughter and I with loving arms, and were extremely supportive. They invited my daughter and I to relocate to Seattle. It was a win-win situation, I received some much needed support and my daughter got to know and spend time with her father and his family.

After a few weeks of settling in I had to really think about my career choices. Seattle was known for two major things, that I was aware of, Starbucks and Nordstrom. At the time I wasn’t a coffee drinker, but I was a people person and had the gift of gab, so sales it was. Within weeks I landed a job at Nordstrom in commission sales. I not only loved it but excelled at my new venture. I won almost every sales contest in my department, and was in the top 5% in sales for the Northwest region. I even earned the title of “Platinum Pacesetter” in my first year at the company.

 I never thought that I would return to the childcare industry as I had a bad taste in my mouth after how badly I had been treated, but never say never! After five years in retail I felt my heart shifting.  I realized my passion for working with newborns and caring for children was calling me. Not long after, the stars aligned and I was caring for a newborn baby full-time. For the next seven years, I continued to work as a Nanny to newborns, and infants, including multiple sets of twins. Deep down, after all these years I still wanted to explore working at night with Newborns.  I’d been caring for twin boys since they were 5 months old, and were now 4 years old and headed to pre-school. I was no longer needed FT, and my daughter was about to graduate High School. I felt that this was my time to shift into Newborn care exclusively. Through the great support of the incredible family I had the pleasure of working with, they shared my information with their network of parenting groups. Before I knew it, my dream of working with a family seeking overnight newborn care was now a reality. It was no surprise that they had a set of 5 week old twin girls as I had specialized in multiples for years, and it came easy to me. I soon transitioned to working FT as a Newborn Care Specialist, and then as a traveling NCS working with high-profile and high net worth families nationwide. 

After decades of doing this work that I love so much and the blessing of clients I’m grateful to work with, I expanded my business last year with a fresh rebrand to align with even more families who need the Luxe Baby Custom Newborn Care trusted experience. I’m grateful and excited that this full circle has come to fruition here in the Valley- a place I’ve always considered home. With my company now established here, I have the opportunity to help create the best possible support for my clients and their newborns during a very special time.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve always been a positive and resourceful individual— making lemonade out of lemons was my specialty, but it felt exhausting at times. The  challenges that I’ve endured have taught me that I am strong and capable, more than I ever knew possible. I’ve learned that my past and circumstances in life do not define me or make me less deserving.  Early in my journey, I never thought I would be able to experience certain things in this lifetime. It just wasn’t in the cards for me, and to a degree I had succumbed to that. When it came to work , I shined yet struggled to ask for what I knew I deserved. I didn’t feel worthy, and that lack of confidence affected me greatly. While it hasn’t been an easy road, I know that I would not be where I am today without having experienced those challenges. I always had faith but I never imagined that I would ever standout in a special way or be able to show up for my daughter in ways that I could only dream of. After years of personal development, humble trial and error, and some very tough seasons of flat-out survival mode, I did go on to gain more confidence. I  learned that I did have a special gift deep inside me. Something that I had taken for granted would become my biggest talent. Looking back and seeing how it has evolved, is truly special.   I have proven to myself what I am made of and capable of. I believe when we do that, we fall in love with ourselves and appreciate who we are, that much more. I went through many seasons of self-doubt, coupled with struggles that I know now were partly postpartum depression. Even though I had years of experience handling babies of all ages, I had my own challenges as a new parent. I hit some unexpected walls, and found myself needing resources and reassurance. This personal experience has inspired one of my services called “Your Baby Hotline”. 

It took many years to fully understand that knowing my worth, and what I have to offer has become one of life’s greatest lessons for me. It has helped me thrive personally, and also helped me lead a growing business and clientele in the best ways possible.  I’m grateful for those difficult seasons – they have brought me to where I am today.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m so proud of my company, Luxe Baby Custom Newborn Care. Bringing this vision to life has been a dream come true! I specialize in supporting new and expecting parents, and providing personalized care and sleep solutions for their babies. I’m also very proud of my daughter, and the kind and successful woman that she’s become. I take pride in my ability to care for babies intuitively, and support parents in the way that aligns with their needs and goals. What sets me a part is my approach, ability to listen- without judgement, and offering successful solutions.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Learning from my mistakes, and continued growth. I will never stop learning to be able to show up and serve the amazing families I work with, and the people I love. It is my goal to support parents and give their babies the highest quality of care, service and attention they deserve. I’m a huge advocate of respectful and responsive care for infants because it matters and sets the tone for the rest of their lives. I believe that when you stop learning you stop growing, and that is when you close yourself off to opportunities the Universe has waiting for you. I’m so grateful that the tables have turned, and I’m able to give back to others and to causes close to my heart. I’m forever grateful for my faith, my family, and for the kindness of others who helped me along the way. It has been and continues to be an incredible journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.luxebabycare.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxebabycare/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Luxebabycare