Today we’d like to introduce you to Marisa Martinez.
Hi Marisa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
It was a bit of teasing that gave rise to my business. My spouse – an analyst – was explaining to me in a random conversation the various tax benefits of being self-employed or a 1099 contractor, and I joked that with all those perks, I should go into business for myself. It didn’t take long to ask, “Wait … why NOT go into business for myself?” We spitballed some ideas for a minute, but ultimately I decided that while it was fun to think about, being my own boss wasn’t something I wanted to hassle with, especially since a part-time gig probably wouldn’t be lucrative enough to justify the effort. A couple of weeks later, my pastor texted me out of the blue asking if I’d thought about creating my own business for after retirement. By that point, I’d been with my employer for 20 years and had been talking about hanging it up for a new chapter but hadn’t taken any concrete steps to that end. I figured this was all more than a little coincidental and started talking more seriously with my spouse about the idea of a pet and house-sitting business, but life got in the way and planning was put on the back burner.
Fast forward a year: I’d retired, married, and started and left a job that was perfect on paper but a truly horrible fit in reality. I’d gotten MaMa Bear up and running by then, but that new day job had a terrible work/life balance, so I’d only had the opportunity to take on a single client and figured I’d just have to let the business go. My pastor had previously sent my way a couple who’d needed more of my time than that day job allowed for, so I reached out to let them know my circumstances had changed. They hired me immediately. At the same time, a high school friend reached out and wanted to hire me ASAP. From there, things have just taken off. In the 9 months between February 2025 when I officially launched and November 2025, I signed 13 clients. In the first 7 weeks of 2026 alone, I gained another 9 new clients. The growth potential is limitless!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There’s been a bit of a learning curve in terms of developing business policies and a fair and viable pricing structure, and getting the website just right has taken a good deal of trial and error. I’ve never been particularly entrepreneurially-minded, and I knew nothing at all about building a website and getting all the SEO stuff situated. But I’ve been able to learn fairly quickly, and all things considered, it’s actually been a pretty smooth process.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
MaMa Bear Concierge exists to take care of people and their pets and homes in a holistic manner while leveraging specialized law enforcement knowledge and experience to give clients a particular peace of mind that they just can’t find anywhere else. I always want to take a professional approach tempered with a warmth and authenticity that lends to a deeper, more trusting relationship than is generally found between a business and client. Initially, folks have to take a chance and place a great deal of trust in me – they literally give me the key to their home, their most sacred sanctuary. I don’t take that trust for granted, and I strive to provide service that ensures my clients always feel confident that they’ve made the right choice in providers. I’m known for my servant heart and protective nature, and I think that sets me apart. This isn’t just a business for me, but a way to care for others and a way to confirm in some small way that there are still good people in this world.
Brand-wise, I’m proud to be able to provide the first and only service of its kind: pet sitting, house sitting, and concierge assistance from a provider unlike any other, one who is implicitly aboveboard and trustworthy from the outset. MaMa Bear Concierge maintains a certain flexibility, too, and is open to adding services to the lineup as clients request them. In fact, we just added medical appointment chaperone service after a client request. Even for out-patient day procedures, if you’re put under at all, they simply won’t release you to a rideshare driver and require a legitimate responsible party. If you don’t have a friend or family member available, MaMa Bear Concierge is here to drive you to and from your appointment, get you settled at home, pick up prescriptions if needed, and stay with you until it’s safe to leave you alone.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Providing consistent, trustworthy service that exceeds all expectations and building deep, abiding relationships with my clients is paramount. Ultimately, I want them to be comfortable enough with me and the way I care for them that they can regard me as an extension of their family or close friend circle and someone they know implicitly they can count on. I believe I’ve met 100% success in that regard, and I’m incredibly proud of that. In this day and age, it can be exceedingly difficult to find someone you can trust enough to be alone in your home and with your pets, and I’m in a position to ease that difficulty for folks. If I CAN do it, I SHOULD and WILL do it.
Pricing:
- Please see my website for pricing, as there is too much to list here.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.MBConcierge.biz
- Other: mbconcierge@pm.me / 469-213-8760 (call or text)
Image Credits
Jo Brock (Jo Brock Photography)
