We had the good fortune of connecting with Marissa Reyes Durán and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marissa, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?

The most important lesson my business has taught me is that nothing works unless I do and never to assume anything.

When I started my magazine, I assumed that everyone would want to scribe and be a part of it. My assumptions turned into lessons. One lesson I learned quickly is not to assume, as the saying goes, assuming makes you a donkey. I also learned that sometimes it’s better to walk away from what seems like a great opportunity to keep your business afloat.. this business is pretty cutthroat, and everyone is just wanting the top position. I learned that doing the right thing will always be the hardest way to get to the top, but also doing the right thing will always be the most noble way to get there.

If you are not making moves and connections for your business, your business simply cannot grow you have to get into it. You have to breed it love it love it dream about it..

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I started as a photographer and while sitting in my office downtown in Dallas, Texas I was flipping through a magazine and thought, I would’ve done that photo a different way. Instead of asking a magazine if I they could hire me to shoot for them, I started my own magazine and shot all the photos myself.

I am most proud even as I was in a toxic relationship, I alone was able to raise the magazine from having 0-7000 subscribers in just over a year.

I got to where I am by pleading and begging, that’s the honest truth. I begged so many businesses to take an ad out on my magazine and I would revenue more income their way. I was consistent, determined, and passionate about a business I really didn’t think would make it this far, I was proven wrong by my own actions. I was always networking, on social media, grocery stores, bars, clubs, I wanted my magazine to get the attention it deserved.

I learned many lessons, one was believe in what you create because it will be that much easier to keep going. I learned that you need 100 nos before you get at least 5 yes, speak to as many strangers as you can, notice I did state strangers; they will support you faster than family and those who know you. I think it’s because they don’t know where you came from. I also learned not to assume absolutely nothing.

I want to be known as the Pilar of charity. I’m a giver and I truly believe that’s why I was born. Though my magazine does have a lot of adult content, it’s also a place of support and building relationships while closing gaps. The magazine is a magazine for Artists from all walks of life, small business owners. And up-and-coming models. There are many positions available for hire and we hope to grow our team in the near future. We are focused on giving currently so our team only consists of 4 associates currently.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

If my best friend was visiting my area, we would focus on networking because that has become the norm for me. We would start by visiting local museums. Dallas has an array of interesting and well thought out museums. There are thousands of people that visit each year so networking would come the easiest in that setting.

We would have our dinners at various rooftop restaurants. The local rooftop restaurants are in gray areas with look out towards the city, they are a breeding ground for out of visitors, yet another great networking opportunity.

When night falls, Dallas has an extensive amounts of clubs bars, and regular hang out spots, while the alcohol is pouring, and the music is vibing you guessed it networking time.

We would have brunch in one of the many outdoor setting type brunch restaurants, with mimosas in hand, and look at all those people let’s network again.

We would sleep rinse, and repeat. I can imagine all the opportunities available for us to network throughout that week.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I honestly started getting a lot of recognition due to one of the local artists that was featured in my magazine several times. He goes by D’Real out of Dallas Texas. He is a charismatic artist, entrepreneur, and business owner that took a chance on me and my magazine.

His IG https://instagram.com/steadyballindreal?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Website: www.MHPLounge.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mhplounge?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHPLOUNGE?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mhplounge7278

Other: https://linktr.ee/1MHP

Image Credits
All photos were taken my name of my MHP Lounge Models

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.