Marissa Strang shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Marissa, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
I think content creation as a whole is really misunderstood, but especially in the travel space. From the outside, it can look like my job is just hopping on planes, taking pretty photos, and posting videos. And yes, that’s a part of it, but the reality is so much deeper – at the core, it’s several jobs in one.
Most people don’t see that the bulk of my work actually happens off camera. I spend a lot of time thinking through strategy: how my audience is going to respond, what questions they might have, and how I can make sure they walk away with something valuable. Behind the scenes, I’m at my laptop negotiating contracts, sitting on calls with brands and tourism boards, researching trends, editing videos, writing copy, recording voiceovers, updating my blog for search traffic, responding to DMs and comments, and honestly just wearing a million hats at once.
The travel days are fun, of course, but the heart of this business is the less glamorous stuff. Administrative work, building relationships, managing partnerships, creating systems, and making sure every piece of content connects in a meaningful way. That’s the part that most people don’t realize goes into it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Marissa Strang – the voice behind Marissa Daily, where I create destination guides, share practical travel tips, and inspire people to explore the world with curiosity and confidence. My content is rooted in outdoor adventures, arts and culture, and spotlighting minority-owned businesses and local communities, because I believe those voices and stories deserve to be heard and celebrated.
What makes this work meaningful for me is not just showing people where to go, but giving them context. Introducing them to the people, traditions, and histories that shape a destination. Travel is about connection, and I see my role as amplifying the voices of communities around the world who might not always have a platform, while also giving my audience the tools to travel more thoughtfully and respectfully.
At the end of the day, my goal isn’t just to share pretty photos. It’s to create content that feels useful, approachable, and authentic. Whether someone is planning their very first international trip or simply looking for a new neighborhood café to support at home, I want them to walk away from my work feeling empowered to experience something new and to support the communities they encounter along the way.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Studying abroad in Cuba in 2017 was that moment for me. I took an Afro-Latin dance class, and through an extension program I was able to study salsa in Cuba for 10 days. I grew up traveling with my family, but this experience was so different. It wasn’t just about sightseeing or checking off the “big” tourist spots. Being in Cuba, dancing with locals, sharing conversations in the streets, and witnessing how deeply culture, religion, and dance are woven into daily life completely shifted my perspective.
What struck me most was the joy. People were so open, vibrant, and connected to their traditions, and it showed me that travel is about more than just admiring beauty from the outside. It’s about listening, learning, and building real connections. That trip really sparked my curiosity and made me fall in love with finding the deeper stories behind every place I visit.
Looking back, I think it was the moment travel became more than a hobby for me, it became a way to expand my worldview and connect with people on a much deeper level.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I think the fear of not being “successful enough” has been the one that’s followed me the most. It pushed me to work really, really hard – and while that sounds like a good thing, it actually ended up backfiring at times. I burned myself out chasing this idea of success, and in doing so, I sometimes missed out on being present, celebrating wins, or giving myself space to recharge. Or, it just ended up creating periods of where I wasn’t creating anything at all because I didn’t have any energy or drive to spare.
What I’ve realized is that the constant grind doesn’t always equal growth. In fact, some of my best ideas and most meaningful opportunities have come when I’ve slowed down, allowed myself to rest, or taken a step back to look at the bigger picture. Success isn’t really about how fast you can climb, it’s also about building something sustainable that you actually enjoy living inside of.
That fear still pops up from time to time, but now I try to use it as a reminder: if I’m overextending myself, it’s probably time to re-center and get back to the “why” behind what I’m doing.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
To an extent, yes – but with boundaries. I think it’s really important for anyone who’s public-facing, especially on social media, to protect their peace by keeping certain parts of life private. For me, that means holding a lot of my personal world close. I’m actually getting married in November, but I don’t share much about my relationship online because it feels special to keep that just for us. The same goes for my deeper thoughts and emotions – those are things I prefer to process privately.
That said, the version of me you see online is still very real. I am bubbly, I do love to laugh and have fun, and my faith and curiosity for life really are at the core of who I am. I just choose to share those parts that feel aligned with my work and my community, while keeping the more personal details as mine.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Yes, definitely. Back in 2017, I landed an internship at a popular radio station on the entertainment side. I was so excited! At the time, I thought it would be the most fun, glamorous experience. I imagined myself maybe becoming a radio host one day or building a career in that space.
But once I was actually in it, I realized a lot of what looked fun from the outside was really just for show. The day-to-day didn’t spark anything in me, and it actually taught me that radio wasn’t the career path I wanted at all. Looking back, I’m so grateful for that experience because it gave me clarity early on. Instead of chasing something that wasn’t truly for me, it pushed me toward the kind of creative work and storytelling I actually love doing now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://themarissadaily.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissa.daily
- Other: https://tiktok.com/@marissadaily_
