Member Spotlight: Marisa Brahney
I started as a TV reporter and anchor fresh out of college and spent 15 years in the fast-paced world of TV news. I started off in a tiny market in upstate New York and worked my way around the country, making stops at ABC and NBC stations in Florida, then Philly and eventually settling back in New Jersey as an anchor for News 12 New Jersey, where I developed popular food and mom segments and won an Emmy award for in-depth coverage of our state's heroin crisis.
Two years ago when I was pregnant with my youngest (who was our 3rd three and under!) I decided to take a leap and start my own business to give me more flexibility for my family and control over my career aspirations. I have remained in TV, transitioning into the lifestyle hosting and contributor space. I now work on QVC as the national brand rep for Cuisinart, as well as with NJMOM as a video host, and as a lifestyle expert and on-air contributor on various local and national TV and digital outlets. I also have launched a consultancy and coaching side to my business, teaching people about the TV world and coaching them on how to prepare for interviews and achieve comfort and confidence on camera.
My extensive TV and journalism background has uniquely prepared me to help position people looking for more media exposure to feel comprehensively prepared, well-versed in what to expect, and ready for the unpredictability and complexities that naturally come with tv and video. I love helping people understand the ins and outs of a business that tends to have a lot of mystique, novelty, and nerves that come with it, so that they're prepared to truly harness the opportunity that press and video storytelling can bring. And, TV aside, It's more crucial than ever before to be clear and comfortable on camera, with the way our world has shifted over the past year. I like to say that there's NO reason anyone can't crush it on camera-- it just takes practice. But they need to know HOW to practice, and that's where I come in.
I am lucky to know many familiar faces in this amazing group of women, but it's my dear friend Andrea Mullan, CEO of Victory Public Relations, who continually pushed me to join. She spoke so highly of The Co-Co and generously asked me to speak at a panel she hosted on burnout last year, which I loved being a part of and really gave me a taste of this community. Over the past year as a solopreneur navigating the pandemic and its effect on my business and family, I realized I was really missing the community support from a business and personal standpoint and I started 2021 on a mission to change that. As I continue to grow my business, I've been incredibly impressed with all The Co-Co does to lift up its members, make meaningful connections and offer support in all areas of career and life.
