April 7, 2026 • 18 mins
Marissa Sams, CEO & Founder, MSE, Marissa Sams Events
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
iHeartMedia Presents. CEOs You should Know. CEOs you should Know
Charleston is brought to you by SC two to fifty
Charleston Www dot SC two fifty Charleston dot org.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
It's Michael Blaze. Welcome to CEOs you should Know. Joining
us today Marissa SAMs. She's CEO of Marissa Sam's Events
and she's also executive director for SC two fifty. Welcome Marissa.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Hi Michael, how are you.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
I'm doing great today. Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Awesome. I'm happy to be here.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
So let's start with what does Marissa Sam's Events do.
Speaker 4 (00:31):
Marissa Sam's Events we produce experiences for a variety of
different types of clients and individuals. We try to work
on projects that bring the best possible energy out of gatherings.
I've been blessed to be able to have the business
now for about ten years, and we work on pretty
(00:51):
interesting projects. That's the general framework of what we do
at MSc.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
And one of those is SC two fifty, of course,
and the revolution Utionary Cities part of the SC two
fifty state wide initiative. What is the revolutionary city?
Speaker 4 (01:05):
Revolutionary city is a you know, really an immersive city
wide experience. That's part of the signature events that we're
designing for the commemorative sum are coming up, and really
what we're trying to do through Revolutionary Cities lift up
all these amazing stories that exist in Charleston around the
(01:27):
Revolution through these partners like the Gillyard and the South
Carolina Historical Society and Marion Square, the Washington Light Infantry.
There are just so many stories, and so Revolutionary Cities
is our way of having those stories come alive through
the amazing partners in June and July.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Can you share any of those stories with us? Which
one do you think is the most interesting?
Speaker 4 (01:54):
I think there's so many, and it's hard to pick.
Been actually thinking about my my if I were to
sort of select what I had to pick during those
two weeks, it's impossible to sort of narrow down all
the great experiences. But I think the things that I'm
the most excited about are really leaning into Carolina Day
(02:15):
and learning about sort of all the interesting things that
have come out of that sort of time period. Bidwiss
is something that we're going to be working with the
South Carolina Historical Society on that game came out of
that time period. There's some interesting beverages that we're going
to be celebrating with hotel partners and some of the
(02:35):
food partners that we're collaborating with. So it's hard to
pick because again, there's so many different senses that are
activated through Revolutionary City that you know, there are just
so many activities that'll be hard to pick.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Well, the history is so rich here. I mean, when
you think about the whole country, how many people can
say that they live in a state that is one
of the original thirteen colonies.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
Absolutely, state that has such a direct connection to our
founding moments and our founding stories. I think the power
of place is something that will really really come alive
this summer, particularly in Charleston and also in the back
countries where there's so many stories around the revolution.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Sure, and speaking of history, you've planned and executed events
on five different continents, So tell us about that a
little bit. What are the what are the different continents?
Who are you've You've worked?
Speaker 4 (03:29):
I've planned things in Europe. I've had the great privilege
of doing something on Windsor Park when the Late Queen
was still with us. I've I've worked in Asia. I've
also planned events in South Africa and Latin America, the Caribbean.
So it's been really interesting to take this work overseas
(03:51):
and and and you know, again just connect with all
of these different stories and creators and work you know,
domestically as well as internationally.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
So it's fun to be able to do that.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Now, how did you get into event planning?
Speaker 4 (04:08):
Well, I've always liked to bring people together. My father
is a diplomat, he worked for the State Department as
a Foreign service officer, and started my journey traveling with
him and my mother, who's a global health nurse, and
just really saw the power of what their gatherings at
(04:29):
our home were like, you know, bringing a lot of
different people together through food, through music, through art, and
that really inspired me, you know, being curious about how
to use the modality of bringing people together to solve problems,
you know, you know, announce something, share something, try to
(04:51):
create common ground. So I would say that sort of
experience traveling overseas and living overseas with my parents really
was the catalyst for me being curious about how to
use again sort of live experiences and gatherings to you know,
make things a little softer and palatable and have people
(05:12):
sort of enjoy moving through processes a little bit bit
differently if you can do it through an event.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Sure, so you saw the power of fellowship essentially while
you were growing up.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
Absolutely fellowship, you know, community, you know, using food and
are sort of cultural the things that sort of bring
us together to you know, create common ground and find
common ground.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Now you mentioned your father worked for the State Department.
You also worked for the State Department too, didn't you?
Speaker 3 (05:41):
I did.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
I did so after I went to Boston College and
minored in communications in Spanish, and then was really curious
about sort of applying that I guess background to to
learning more about public policy, public affairs events. I was
really lucky to be able to work under Secretary Powell
(06:06):
as well as Condoleezza Rice, and so it was a
very interesting time to be able to be at the Department.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Now, you have dual residency in Washington, d C. And
John's Island, right I do.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
I do.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
I live in d C. But I also am finding
myself often on John's Island. My parents have a home there.
We've been coming to the area for the twenty years,
and so I've always been very interested and curious about Charleston.
My grandfather was from Orangeburg, and so this is sort
(06:43):
of a second home for us.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Now, do you find the going back and forth to
be tiring or exhilarating.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
A combination of both.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
It depends on sort of the travel day and the
situation at the airport. But I think it's exhilarating, although
I will say that I'm definitely, you know, finding that
my my heart's a little bit sadder when I leave
the Low Country to head back up to DC, and
so finding some balance and being able to spend some
(07:14):
more time here is definitely something I'm hoping to do.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
A seat that I'm planting.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
It has a way of drawing you.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
In those does it's it's really there's there's a special place.
And I've had the privilege of traveling and experiencing a
lot of special places, and Charleston is is really really special.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Now you touched on it a little bit, tell us
about your younger life. Where did you grow up?
Speaker 4 (07:39):
Essentially, I grew up in Africa, Nigeria and Cameroon. Don't
have a lot of memories around it. Just know that
that was a really sort of formative time for my my, my,
my parents, and it was a big part of my early,
my early life. And and after that we came to
(08:03):
the States and I sort of acclimated to that culture.
And then we went back overseas to Madrid and lived
there for four years, and that was just wonderful. It
was a great time for our family. It was really
just wonderful to live in Madrid. And I went back
and studied there for a semester in college and really
(08:25):
just appreciate that culture and just what that exposed me to.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Now, you mentioned you went to Boston College. Was that
a part of your experience at Boston College?
Speaker 4 (08:37):
It was, so I went back after living there earlier
on with my parents. I several years later decided to
minor in Spanish and did a semester back in Spain.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
That's really interesting. And when you were younger and going
to school, did you do it with say, other State
department children or were you in the local schools or
how does that even work?
Speaker 4 (09:02):
I think, you know, we were definitely with other State
Department children, but we were in sort of these international
schools where yes, there were you know, other American kids,
but you also had kids from all over the world.
So you know, while there were sort of American schools,
they were often sort of international, and so that was
(09:27):
a lot of the friends that I had were had
different last names and spoke different languages at home, and
I just that was my normal.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
So a much more rich experience and just going to
school with American kids now, And I'm not knocking that,
I'm just saying that that's definitely, you know, a more
enriching experience.
Speaker 4 (09:45):
Right, Definitely, definitely. And then also you know that the
caretakers that took care of us, and you know, they
were also very much from the local areas that we
were living in. So you know, that was a very
important thing for my parents, was to make sure that
we were really connected to the local communities and stories
that we were living in.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Well, you've absorbed so many things from so many different cultures.
What's the philosophy that drives you each day?
Speaker 4 (10:13):
I just think, be present, be open, you know, I
think there's so many and listening. I think when you're
overseas or when you travel, the gift of listening is
a really powerful tool. It allows you to literally sometimes
understand where you're going, but also it gives you context,
(10:34):
you know, to place and the people that you're interacting
with and I think that's really important and it is
certainly informed the way I try to approach, you know,
unpacking what my clients are looking for in their experiences,
but you know what my team is looking for. So
listening has been a really big I think takeaway from
(10:57):
experiencing different cultures.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
Now, when you're going through that, I'm sure that you
know you're as a child, it becomes normal for you.
But was there any point where you had where it
was eye opening or an epiphany to you on something
you didn't realize before that you think maybe you learned
that you wouldn't have learned if you didn't have those experiences.
Speaker 4 (11:18):
You know. I think honestly every day there's a little
bit of grace and awe around for me around just
the experiences that I've been able to have and sort
of how they've organically led me to different experiences. So
I think while at the time I may not have
(11:39):
been thinking that, you know, this opportunity or this moment
is going to connect me to where I am right now.
I think I'm constantly sort of thinking about how my
past has informed my present and how there's still very
connected in a way that makes any sense at all.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
It absolutely does. It's kind of it's fascinating when you
think about how intertwined everything is and how call it fate,
call it whatever you may, but how things come together
and how you may not, as you mentioned, realize that
at the time, and then you look back at it
and you're like, wow.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
Yeah, yeah, I definitely. I mean even just this place.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
You know, for the longest time it was a place
that my family went to vacation and rest.
Speaker 3 (12:24):
Now it's home. You know, it's part of my bones.
Speaker 4 (12:27):
The stories that come from this place, the history that
comes from this place.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
You know.
Speaker 4 (12:31):
I never would have thought all of that when I
was playing at the beach, you know, at eight years old,
you know. And but now it's a very different experience
when I when I arrive into Charleston, it's you know,
it's different, sure because of that context.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
What do you do when you're not working.
Speaker 4 (12:47):
That's a really good question. I like art, so when
I'm you know, able to I like to paint. I
also really like being outdoors and I'm trying to learn
more about birds and flowers and you know, all of
(13:08):
the creatures that surround us. So I would say that
that's something that I'm really interested in is birding and
learning about you know, flowers and you know, all of
the plants and agriculture that surround us. And in another
life I liked cooking. I think when I have a
little bit more time, that's something that I do enjoy.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
Time is the key is in it. I've found so
many things that I used to be not that I'm
not interested in them anymore, but my wife will even
say to me, you used to be so into gardening
and used to be into so many of these different things.
Something you don't do that anymore, right.
Speaker 4 (13:45):
Same time, And there's I have a little post it
that I keep on my desk and it's sort of
like a list of things that I'm looking forward to
doing when there's more time. Although I think that's a
little bit I've got to I've got to be better
at at sort of looking at the list more often.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
Yeah, And you know, it amazes me as you get older.
It seems like when you're young, you know you have
the whole future ahead of you and you're really not
concerned about time at all. And I used to think
when you got older that time slowed down. And now
I'm starting to realize that it starts going.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
Faster and fast eats up.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
It really does, which is why you've got to, you know,
not just look at the list, but implement it, you know.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
Yeah, And I think that's where you know all of
these old sayings, including you know, live today like it's
your last.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
Absolutely, absolutely, I think I think that's really important. It's
something that i'm I'm I try to sort of remind
myself to practice.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
I think everybody should remind themselves.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Fair enough, fair enough.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
So you have a very successful business, what advice would
you give to an aspiring business owner or entrepreneur who
wants to go out on their own.
Speaker 4 (14:52):
I think success is a complicated word. I think success
is something that is ever evolving and dynamic. And I
think what I would say to anyone that is looking
to build a practice is be patient with yourself, ask
a lot of questions. Make sure that you surround yourself
with people that you know are in many ways better
(15:16):
and smarter than you, so that you can use them
as resources as you're bumping your way around building you know,
your practice, and I think, you know, try to have fun.
I think there's so much seriousness around getting a business
up and starting it and having it be successful. That
sometimes you lose your why. And I think it's important
(15:38):
to come back to your why often when you're starting
a business and when you're building a business, because it
can get lonely, scary, frustrating, and your why becomes your
north star. So I think that would be the advice
that I give to anyone that, like is curious or
thinking about starting a business is listen to yourself, have
(16:00):
a good network of people that have your back and
that are going to tell you things that you might
not want to hear, but they'll tell them to you anyway.
And remember your why because I think those things will
will come in handy when you're you know, in a
dark place, which you do get when you have a practice.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
Absolutely, And I really like that you have to remember
the why, and your why is your north star because
sometimes you are going to be questioning why am I
doing this? Literally it gets so hard. Yeah, And I
also tell my kids immerse yourself in. And I think
a lot of people make the mistake that they have
to go learn everything first and then they'll get started.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
That's that's beautiful.
Speaker 4 (16:39):
Literally, just jump in and immerse yourself and you know,
I think we get really worried about making mistakes, but
mistakes are what make our practices better, what make us better.
So I think we also, I mean we in general,
just being a little gentler when you find yourself in
an uncomfortable situation or something that's new, because it's also
(17:02):
part of the journey of having a business.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Absolutely. Yeah, So if anybody wants to find out more
that time flies and we're just about out of time.
If anybody wants to find out more about you know,
the SC two fifty or you know, any of the events,
including the Revolutionary City, where should they go.
Speaker 4 (17:22):
We're updating our website. We also have a lot of
great events that are going to be announced in the
next month, and so I think the website and the
social media platforms are the places to go to learn
more about SC two to fifty Charleston and the wonderful
activities coming this summer.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
And there's so many, not only in Charleston but all
around the state. Absolutely, And I think a lot of
people think it's just like a week long event. You know,
there are certain specific events that are just a day
or a week long, but the whole celebration, I'm trying
to think of an even better word than celebration.
Speaker 3 (17:59):
Campaign.
Speaker 4 (18:00):
That's something that the campaign goes through, something like twenty
thirty three. This was I'm always reminded by the board.
It's a long it was a very long war. And
so you know, while the two fiftieth is a big deal,
this goes beyond the two fiftieth, to your point, and
there are a ton of activities that will be taking
place beyond this summer to continue to storytell.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
Absolutely, and it goes on for years and how interesting.
Like I said, we're blessed to live in a place
like this, and I certainly appreciate your time today and
it was a pleasure to talk to me. Lovely, thank you,
Thank you. Marissa Sam's CEO of Marissa Sam's Events and
executive director of SC two to fifty. Thanks for your
time today, Marissa.
Speaker 3 (18:44):
This is lovely. Thank you.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
You've been listening to iHeart Radio CEOs you should know,
heard every Tuesday and Saturday morning right here on this
iHeart Radio station.
iHeartMedia Presents. CEOs You should Know. CEOs you should Know
Charleston is brought to you by SC two to fifty
Charleston Www dot SC two fifty Charleston dot org.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
It's Michael Blaze. Welcome to CEOs you should Know. Joining
us today Marissa SAMs. She's CEO of Marissa Sam's Events
and she's also executive director for SC two fifty. Welcome Marissa.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Hi Michael, how are you.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
I'm doing great today. Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Awesome. I'm happy to be here.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
So let's start with what does Marissa Sam's Events do.
Speaker 4 (00:31):
Marissa Sam's Events we produce experiences for a variety of
different types of clients and individuals. We try to work
on projects that bring the best possible energy out of gatherings.
I've been blessed to be able to have the business
now for about ten years, and we work on pretty
(00:51):
interesting projects. That's the general framework of what we do
at MSc.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
And one of those is SC two fifty, of course,
and the revolution Utionary Cities part of the SC two
fifty state wide initiative. What is the revolutionary city?
Speaker 4 (01:05):
Revolutionary city is a you know, really an immersive city
wide experience. That's part of the signature events that we're
designing for the commemorative sum are coming up, and really
what we're trying to do through Revolutionary Cities lift up
all these amazing stories that exist in Charleston around the
(01:27):
Revolution through these partners like the Gillyard and the South
Carolina Historical Society and Marion Square, the Washington Light Infantry.
There are just so many stories, and so Revolutionary Cities
is our way of having those stories come alive through
the amazing partners in June and July.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Can you share any of those stories with us? Which
one do you think is the most interesting?
Speaker 4 (01:54):
I think there's so many, and it's hard to pick.
Been actually thinking about my my if I were to
sort of select what I had to pick during those
two weeks, it's impossible to sort of narrow down all
the great experiences. But I think the things that I'm
the most excited about are really leaning into Carolina Day
(02:15):
and learning about sort of all the interesting things that
have come out of that sort of time period. Bidwiss
is something that we're going to be working with the
South Carolina Historical Society on that game came out of
that time period. There's some interesting beverages that we're going
to be celebrating with hotel partners and some of the
(02:35):
food partners that we're collaborating with. So it's hard to
pick because again, there's so many different senses that are
activated through Revolutionary City that you know, there are just
so many activities that'll be hard to pick.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Well, the history is so rich here. I mean, when
you think about the whole country, how many people can
say that they live in a state that is one
of the original thirteen colonies.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
Absolutely, state that has such a direct connection to our
founding moments and our founding stories. I think the power
of place is something that will really really come alive
this summer, particularly in Charleston and also in the back
countries where there's so many stories around the revolution.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Sure, and speaking of history, you've planned and executed events
on five different continents, So tell us about that a
little bit. What are the what are the different continents?
Who are you've You've worked?
Speaker 4 (03:29):
I've planned things in Europe. I've had the great privilege
of doing something on Windsor Park when the Late Queen
was still with us. I've I've worked in Asia. I've
also planned events in South Africa and Latin America, the Caribbean.
So it's been really interesting to take this work overseas
(03:51):
and and and you know, again just connect with all
of these different stories and creators and work you know,
domestically as well as internationally.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
So it's fun to be able to do that.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Now, how did you get into event planning?
Speaker 4 (04:08):
Well, I've always liked to bring people together. My father
is a diplomat, he worked for the State Department as
a Foreign service officer, and started my journey traveling with
him and my mother, who's a global health nurse, and
just really saw the power of what their gatherings at
(04:29):
our home were like, you know, bringing a lot of
different people together through food, through music, through art, and
that really inspired me, you know, being curious about how
to use the modality of bringing people together to solve problems,
you know, you know, announce something, share something, try to
(04:51):
create common ground. So I would say that sort of
experience traveling overseas and living overseas with my parents really
was the catalyst for me being curious about how to
use again sort of live experiences and gatherings to you know,
make things a little softer and palatable and have people
(05:12):
sort of enjoy moving through processes a little bit bit
differently if you can do it through an event.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Sure, so you saw the power of fellowship essentially while
you were growing up.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
Absolutely fellowship, you know, community, you know, using food and
are sort of cultural the things that sort of bring
us together to you know, create common ground and find
common ground.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Now you mentioned your father worked for the State Department.
You also worked for the State Department too, didn't you?
Speaker 3 (05:41):
I did.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
I did so after I went to Boston College and
minored in communications in Spanish, and then was really curious
about sort of applying that I guess background to to
learning more about public policy, public affairs events. I was
really lucky to be able to work under Secretary Powell
(06:06):
as well as Condoleezza Rice, and so it was a
very interesting time to be able to be at the Department.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Now, you have dual residency in Washington, d C. And
John's Island, right I do.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
I do.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
I live in d C. But I also am finding
myself often on John's Island. My parents have a home there.
We've been coming to the area for the twenty years,
and so I've always been very interested and curious about Charleston.
My grandfather was from Orangeburg, and so this is sort
(06:43):
of a second home for us.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Now, do you find the going back and forth to
be tiring or exhilarating.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
A combination of both.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
It depends on sort of the travel day and the
situation at the airport. But I think it's exhilarating, although
I will say that I'm definitely, you know, finding that
my my heart's a little bit sadder when I leave
the Low Country to head back up to DC, and
so finding some balance and being able to spend some
(07:14):
more time here is definitely something I'm hoping to do.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
A seat that I'm planting.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
It has a way of drawing you.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
In those does it's it's really there's there's a special place.
And I've had the privilege of traveling and experiencing a
lot of special places, and Charleston is is really really special.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Now you touched on it a little bit, tell us
about your younger life. Where did you grow up?
Speaker 4 (07:39):
Essentially, I grew up in Africa, Nigeria and Cameroon. Don't
have a lot of memories around it. Just know that
that was a really sort of formative time for my my, my,
my parents, and it was a big part of my early,
my early life. And and after that we came to
(08:03):
the States and I sort of acclimated to that culture.
And then we went back overseas to Madrid and lived
there for four years, and that was just wonderful. It
was a great time for our family. It was really
just wonderful to live in Madrid. And I went back
and studied there for a semester in college and really
(08:25):
just appreciate that culture and just what that exposed me to.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Now, you mentioned you went to Boston College. Was that
a part of your experience at Boston College?
Speaker 4 (08:37):
It was, so I went back after living there earlier
on with my parents. I several years later decided to
minor in Spanish and did a semester back in Spain.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
That's really interesting. And when you were younger and going
to school, did you do it with say, other State
department children or were you in the local schools or
how does that even work?
Speaker 4 (09:02):
I think, you know, we were definitely with other State
Department children, but we were in sort of these international
schools where yes, there were you know, other American kids,
but you also had kids from all over the world.
So you know, while there were sort of American schools,
they were often sort of international, and so that was
(09:27):
a lot of the friends that I had were had
different last names and spoke different languages at home, and
I just that was my normal.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
So a much more rich experience and just going to
school with American kids now, And I'm not knocking that,
I'm just saying that that's definitely, you know, a more
enriching experience.
Speaker 4 (09:45):
Right, Definitely, definitely. And then also you know that the
caretakers that took care of us, and you know, they
were also very much from the local areas that we
were living in. So you know, that was a very
important thing for my parents, was to make sure that
we were really connected to the local communities and stories
that we were living in.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Well, you've absorbed so many things from so many different cultures.
What's the philosophy that drives you each day?
Speaker 4 (10:13):
I just think, be present, be open, you know, I
think there's so many and listening. I think when you're
overseas or when you travel, the gift of listening is
a really powerful tool. It allows you to literally sometimes
understand where you're going, but also it gives you context,
(10:34):
you know, to place and the people that you're interacting
with and I think that's really important and it is
certainly informed the way I try to approach, you know,
unpacking what my clients are looking for in their experiences,
but you know what my team is looking for. So
listening has been a really big I think takeaway from
(10:57):
experiencing different cultures.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
Now, when you're going through that, I'm sure that you
know you're as a child, it becomes normal for you.
But was there any point where you had where it
was eye opening or an epiphany to you on something
you didn't realize before that you think maybe you learned
that you wouldn't have learned if you didn't have those experiences.
Speaker 4 (11:18):
You know. I think honestly every day there's a little
bit of grace and awe around for me around just
the experiences that I've been able to have and sort
of how they've organically led me to different experiences. So
I think while at the time I may not have
(11:39):
been thinking that, you know, this opportunity or this moment
is going to connect me to where I am right now.
I think I'm constantly sort of thinking about how my
past has informed my present and how there's still very
connected in a way that makes any sense at all.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
It absolutely does. It's kind of it's fascinating when you
think about how intertwined everything is and how call it fate,
call it whatever you may, but how things come together
and how you may not, as you mentioned, realize that
at the time, and then you look back at it
and you're like, wow.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
Yeah, yeah, I definitely. I mean even just this place.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
You know, for the longest time it was a place
that my family went to vacation and rest.
Speaker 3 (12:24):
Now it's home. You know, it's part of my bones.
Speaker 4 (12:27):
The stories that come from this place, the history that
comes from this place.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
You know.
Speaker 4 (12:31):
I never would have thought all of that when I
was playing at the beach, you know, at eight years old,
you know. And but now it's a very different experience
when I when I arrive into Charleston, it's you know,
it's different, sure because of that context.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
What do you do when you're not working.
Speaker 4 (12:47):
That's a really good question. I like art, so when
I'm you know, able to I like to paint. I
also really like being outdoors and I'm trying to learn
more about birds and flowers and you know, all of
(13:08):
the creatures that surround us. So I would say that
that's something that I'm really interested in is birding and
learning about you know, flowers and you know, all of
the plants and agriculture that surround us. And in another
life I liked cooking. I think when I have a
little bit more time, that's something that I do enjoy.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
Time is the key is in it. I've found so
many things that I used to be not that I'm
not interested in them anymore, but my wife will even
say to me, you used to be so into gardening
and used to be into so many of these different things.
Something you don't do that anymore, right.
Speaker 4 (13:45):
Same time, And there's I have a little post it
that I keep on my desk and it's sort of
like a list of things that I'm looking forward to
doing when there's more time. Although I think that's a
little bit I've got to I've got to be better
at at sort of looking at the list more often.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
Yeah, And you know, it amazes me as you get older.
It seems like when you're young, you know you have
the whole future ahead of you and you're really not
concerned about time at all. And I used to think
when you got older that time slowed down. And now
I'm starting to realize that it starts going.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
Faster and fast eats up.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
It really does, which is why you've got to, you know,
not just look at the list, but implement it, you know.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
Yeah, And I think that's where you know all of
these old sayings, including you know, live today like it's
your last.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
Absolutely, absolutely, I think I think that's really important. It's
something that i'm I'm I try to sort of remind
myself to practice.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
I think everybody should remind themselves.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Fair enough, fair enough.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
So you have a very successful business, what advice would
you give to an aspiring business owner or entrepreneur who
wants to go out on their own.
Speaker 4 (14:52):
I think success is a complicated word. I think success
is something that is ever evolving and dynamic. And I
think what I would say to anyone that is looking
to build a practice is be patient with yourself, ask
a lot of questions. Make sure that you surround yourself
with people that you know are in many ways better
(15:16):
and smarter than you, so that you can use them
as resources as you're bumping your way around building you know,
your practice, and I think, you know, try to have fun.
I think there's so much seriousness around getting a business
up and starting it and having it be successful. That
sometimes you lose your why. And I think it's important
(15:38):
to come back to your why often when you're starting
a business and when you're building a business, because it
can get lonely, scary, frustrating, and your why becomes your
north star. So I think that would be the advice
that I give to anyone that, like is curious or
thinking about starting a business is listen to yourself, have
(16:00):
a good network of people that have your back and
that are going to tell you things that you might
not want to hear, but they'll tell them to you anyway.
And remember your why because I think those things will
will come in handy when you're you know, in a
dark place, which you do get when you have a practice.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
Absolutely, And I really like that you have to remember
the why, and your why is your north star because
sometimes you are going to be questioning why am I
doing this? Literally it gets so hard. Yeah, And I
also tell my kids immerse yourself in. And I think
a lot of people make the mistake that they have
to go learn everything first and then they'll get started.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
That's that's beautiful.
Speaker 4 (16:39):
Literally, just jump in and immerse yourself and you know,
I think we get really worried about making mistakes, but
mistakes are what make our practices better, what make us better.
So I think we also, I mean we in general,
just being a little gentler when you find yourself in
an uncomfortable situation or something that's new, because it's also
(17:02):
part of the journey of having a business.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Absolutely. Yeah, So if anybody wants to find out more
that time flies and we're just about out of time.
If anybody wants to find out more about you know,
the SC two fifty or you know, any of the events,
including the Revolutionary City, where should they go.
Speaker 4 (17:22):
We're updating our website. We also have a lot of
great events that are going to be announced in the
next month, and so I think the website and the
social media platforms are the places to go to learn
more about SC two to fifty Charleston and the wonderful
activities coming this summer.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
And there's so many, not only in Charleston but all
around the state. Absolutely, And I think a lot of
people think it's just like a week long event. You know,
there are certain specific events that are just a day
or a week long, but the whole celebration, I'm trying
to think of an even better word than celebration.
Speaker 3 (17:59):
Campaign.
Speaker 4 (18:00):
That's something that the campaign goes through, something like twenty
thirty three. This was I'm always reminded by the board.
It's a long it was a very long war. And
so you know, while the two fiftieth is a big deal,
this goes beyond the two fiftieth, to your point, and
there are a ton of activities that will be taking
place beyond this summer to continue to storytell.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
Absolutely, and it goes on for years and how interesting.
Like I said, we're blessed to live in a place
like this, and I certainly appreciate your time today and
it was a pleasure to talk to me. Lovely, thank you,
Thank you. Marissa Sam's CEO of Marissa Sam's Events and
executive director of SC two to fifty. Thanks for your
time today, Marissa.
Speaker 3 (18:44):
This is lovely. Thank you.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
You've been listening to iHeart Radio CEOs you should know,
heard every Tuesday and Saturday morning right here on this
iHeart Radio station.
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