Meet Marisa Calderon | Realtor and Reiki Practitioner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marisa Calderon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marisa, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
I am happy when I am spending time with my boys, my family, and my friends. I am happy when I do my favorite things: spending time in nature, hiking, exercising, crafting, practicing Reiki, meditating, journaling. I have so many hobbies so I really love when I have time to dabble in any of them. My husband and I love going to music festivals like Coachella, and seeing EDM shows. I also love taking care of people, helping them be better versions of themselves. My passion has always been making people happy, and helping them live their best lives.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Most people are shocked to discover the career I had before venturing into real estate. For 12 years, I was a pastry chef, working the last 7 of those years at Disneyland. After having my first son in 2019, I yearned for more control of my life. I had to call out of work every time my husband and I did not have someone to watch our son. I was afraid of getting in trouble at work and eventually fired. I wanted a career that gave me financial freedom and the freedom to make my own schedule so I can take care of my kids. While baking was my first passion in life, I was over-the-moon to find myself falling in love with real estate. While I had started it to better care for my family, helping people with one of the biggest financial purchases in their life gives me more joy and fulfillment than I could have ever imagined. Making the transition was somewhat easy, I completed my real estate classes in 3 weeks while on unemployment after getting fired from a job. The hardest part that I am currently working on, is getting my career established. I am now balancing a new career while taking care of my 5 year and 6 month old sons. My 5 year old is in preschool but my 6 month old is home with me. He is a such calm, and happy baby but he makes it very difficult to get work done. I am constantly battling my duties of motherhood with my work responsibilities.

As for my reiki practice, I accidentally got certified in all three levels on a spontaneous whim. I felt a strong calling for more besides regular therapy and things like journaling or exercise to help my mental stress, I needed something to help me on a spiritual level. Once I started practicing on myself, I was able to heal myself from the trauma of losing my mother and pain from other past hardships. All of my friends and family that have let me practice on them have really enjoyed the sessions so I am hoping to continue my practice. I offer my sessions for free while I work on developing a proper space to practice.

I would like the world to know that when you work with me, you’re not hiring some big shot real estate tycoon, you’re working with a mom just trying to make a better life for her family. You are working with someone who constantly puts the needs of others before herself. I am loyal, honest, and a hard worker. I always go above and beyond for the people I care about so I don’t take the responsibility of being your realtor lightly, it’s personal. I treat all of my clients like family.

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.
Oh my gosh this is such a hard question! I would probably plan 1-2 activities per day, one touristy and one more local-based. We would do a variety of activities to really get the most out of this beautiful and rich location. In no particular order, we’d go on a gorgeous hike, take a walk along one of our beaches, do a bar-hop, go wine tasting, take an art class, visit a few museums, check out my favorite crystal shops, and maybe even visit Disneyland. For places to eat, we’d go to: Maccheroni Republic, Great White Hut, Lavender and Honey, Kaiba Sushi, Cafe Los Feliz, Yang Chow’s, and for dessert, Carmela’s Ice Cream. People-watching in LA is fun anywhere you go so we’d definitely relax in some great spots while running around LA. I love collaborating with people so this week would be a good balance of my suggestions mixed with whatever my guest wants to do or taking turns choosing a food spot.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to my great family friend, Jeannine Colon who gave me the idea to get into real estate when I was searching for a better career. I also would like to shoutout my team leader, Kyle Draper, and my mentor Ben Phaychanpheng for investing so much time and resources into me. Their patience answering my millions of questions and constant encouragement have kept me motivated when I have felt overwhelmed or the many moments of self-doubt.

Instagram: realestatebymarisac

Facebook: https://facebook.com/marisa.monguia

Image Credits
all photos are my personal ones