Marissa’s journey began when she enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1996, where she quickly rose through the ranks to become a Staff Sergeant (E-6). In 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, she was deployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, where she played a critical role in logistics and operations—skills that would later translate into her success in real estate syndication and asset management.

Her time in the military shaped her leadership, mission-driven execution, and strategic planning abilities, laying the foundation for the investor-first, results-driven approach she takes today.

After leaving the Army in 2003, Marissa took her first step into entrepreneurship by opening Marissa Ladies Salon in Hawally, Kuwait (2005). This early business experience taught her how to scale operations, manage financials, and develop leadership teams—all of which would later serve her in real estate and logistics.

However, transitioning back to corporate America exposed her to a harsh reality—despite earning a steady paycheck, financial security was never guaranteed. She saw firsthand how hardworking professionals struggled to build real wealth, even with high incomes.

This realization ignited her passion for real estate investing—an asset class that provided not just cash flow and appreciation, but also unmatched tax advantages that could accelerate financial growth. That’s when she founded Summit Legacy Capital, LLC—a firm designed to help investors leverage real estate to create financial freedom, just like she did.

Marissa’s story in Iraq has been featured in one of the chapters in the book “Iraq: The Story You’ll Never Get from the Media” by Rusty B. Wilson, offering a glimpse into the discipline, resilience, and mission-focused execution that define her approach to business and investing.