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

What was your thought process behind starting your own business? 
There are more and more people that are young, healthy, like me, when I was diagnosed with life-threatening colorectal cancer. To be a voice within the community and speaking about adversity more broadly is something I wish I had as I faced my own cancer. That’s why I started www.BeSeen.care.

How does your business help the community or world?
BE SEEN was founded to encourage people in the moments that matter most. I believe we all have the ability to eradicate death by colorectal cancer. If I can encourage the future version of myself to be seen earlier, I believe the impact on the world one life at a time is worth it.

How do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?
I’m in the middle of a big risk right now, so this is a perfectly timed question. Sharing my unglamorous story openly has taken courage. I have confidence about using my voice to save the lives of others is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. I’ve made hard pivots in my career from a career as a professional vocalist both in New York and across America turned Chief People Officer in large and small tech firms. Now by founding BE SEEN, we’re on a mission to inspire people to BE SEEN in the moments that matter most.

What is the most important thing you’ve done as a parent in terms of impact on your children?
Open, candid communication from the day our boys were born, truly, has been the most important for Josh and me. Beau was 16 months old, Dez was five and Ford was seven years old when I was diagnosed with Stage 3b rectal cancer and today, over three years later, cancer is a constant in our lives. The questions did not stop the day the 11 months of treatment ended. Just recently, when driving to school, Dez asked if my cancer would come back and we talk openly about our reality. This summer, Ford and I were sitting in a rainstorm on vacation where he brought up death and wondering what it would be like if we knew how we would die. Facing our mortality alongside big questions together allows us to be one team rather than individuals questioning deep thoughts in isolation. We’re not pros and as parents, Josh and I are constantly learning and making mistakes too.

What is the most important factor behind your success/ the success of your brand?
Making a real human connection has resonated as people learn about the BE SEEN mission. Our shared values show up in our work as we’re striving to:

★ Spark Change
★ Create Connections
★ Keep It Real, Push Boundaries
★ Find A Way

In my experience, telling my raw story authentically unlocks people to share deeply about their own adversity in life. People share about their obstacles, invisible disabilities and truths they’ve kept hidden. In their words, people have said they “felt connected” and “more brave to be themselves” afterwards. Being seen is to me is sharing our truth and being vulnerable in the presence of another person as the other person truly listens, thinks and responds authentically. We can show up as our true self, not a limited version of ourselves, that allows us to see the world and each other in a new way.

How to know to keep going or give up?
Relentless perseverance is ingrained in my being. I’ve come to realize the hardest, toughest path is not always required to yield the same result. The pursuit of the work vs the impact being made – for me, saving even one life at a time is enough for me to continue this work forever. People will bring people to this mission, which we’ve seen already with the groundswell of support of people giving of their time, donations and connections. Before establishing BE SEEN, I knew there were four people who had cancer detected early and removed because of hearing my story and credited my diagnosis to “saving their life”. This inspired me to reach even more people by starting a foundation, keynote speaking and singing out about the preventative steps every person can take to avoid colorectal cancer in their lifetime.

Work life balance: has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?
I liken work life balance to a tightrope walk, requiring calculated adjustments in order to move forward step by step up high in front of a world audience. No net, all calculated risks with extensive training. As I wrestled with what to do with my life after being a professional performer turned executive human resources leader in corporations, I knew this next chapter would combine both worlds as a thought leader, change maker using my voice in a whole new way. However I struggled with what to do because I didn’t want this new work to take me away from the people I love: my family. So we designed BE SEEN to incorporate our family in the mission. Life is less about work, family and health in separate compartments balanced on a scale. Integrating all of my experiences and the people I care most about feels more purposeful and connected than I’ve ever felt before. We’re now spending time together on-purpose with a mission and a zeal that, I think, is helping all of us heal together. Facing mortality sends shockwaves through everyone, not just me, facing my life threatening illness.

My dream is that we turn this challenge into something far better than we could have ever expected. Never making waste of a good crisis. My cancer brought all of us closer, stronger and connected to each other. I’m driven to make a difference in the lives of others – big and small “spark moments”. Its the “aha!” when the lightbulb goes off where someone’s choice, path or life are different than expected, that is most rewarding to witness.

What makes you happy? Why?
Singing, dancing and making an impact with the people I love. Nirvana for me is when all three are happening at the exact same time. Throughout my treatment, my sight was set on a celebration with all the people who took care of me, lifting our family up. We are hosting a Celebration of Living Ball on June 7th to sing, dance and inspire people to BE SEEN. And that nirvana will certainly be happening!

Contact information:

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