Meet Marissa Leal | Entrepeneur at Heart

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

Hi Marissa, how do you think about risk?
To me, risk is really about having faith—faith in yourself, in new possibilities, and in whatever path lies ahead. It’s shown up in two big parts of my life: my career and my creative journey.

A few years ago, my husband started DJing and began taking classes at the Beat Junkie Institute of Sound. Watching him dive into something totally new, have so much fun, and connect with such a cool community made me curious. I’d never thought about becoming a DJ—honestly, I had zero music experience—but something about it called to me. So, I took a chance, signed up for classes myself, and now I’ve even done a few gigs out in public. It’s wild to think about how far I’ve come from just being curious to actually performing.

That same spirit of risk-taking showed up in my professional life, too. After 11 years as a dental hygienist, I felt a strong pull to make a major change. My husband and I had always dreamed about opening a restaurant that combines our love for music and healthy food—an idea that really took shape during our travels abroad. Neither of us had any background in the food industry, but the dream kept growing. Recently, an opportunity came up to make it real, and we decided to go for it. Leaving the comfort and stability of dentistry to co-own a restaurant is definitely a leap into the unknown, but I’m going in with full faith in our vision and in what can happen when you’re willing to take a risk.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Working as a dental hygienist made me proud to be part of the healthcare field. It means a lot to know I’ve had a positive impact on people’s lives by helping them improve their oral health.

This career has also taught me so much beyond the clinical side—like how to connect with people, speak with confidence, and pay close attention to detail. It’s even helped me build strength in my hands, which comes into play when I’m painting, drawing, or on the turntables. I’ve realized how much I love the details in art, and I think my work in hygiene has inspired that appreciation in a unique way.

I’m incredibly grateful for everything this path has given me. It’s allowed me to reach some major life goals—like buying a home and having a beautiful wedding. But I decided to leave the profession to jump into something new. The biggest lesson I’ve taken from all of this is that your career should light you up. Choose something that excites you, because that’s the path that’s truly meant for you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Definitely hit up Totoyama for some sushi. Plan dinners at Bavel and Bestia. For brunch, Manuela, because those biscuits! I’d take them to explore the Arts District, just to wander the streets, check out the
murals, and soak in the creative energy. We are for sure heading to Setebello for some of that Napoletana-style pizza. And for something more chill, we’d take a peaceful walk around the California Botanic Garden to reset.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shoutout to the incredible community I’ve connected with through the Beat Junkie Institute of Sound. Being surrounded by such passionate and creative individuals has truly inspired me to reconnect with my own creativity.

I’d also like to express deep gratitude to self-concept coach Flora Szivos. Her guidance has helped me expand my mindset, cultivate self-trust, and strengthen my faith in what’s possible. Thanks to her teachings, I genuinely believe that we all have the power to achieve our desires by transforming our mindset and self-concept.