Ask an Alum: Marissa Whalen

From a young age, Marissa Whalen knew that she aimed to climb mountains that others deemed too high. Whether she was in the classroom or starting her business, Little Movements Apparel, Marissa found unique ways to use her skillsets and education from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Talk a bit about your career trajectory. How did you go from studying special education to starting your own business?

Looking back on this, the connection between my college major (secondary special education) and first career is so interesting with how it intertwines with what I am doing now as a business owner. I have always been motivated to accomplish hard things and love to lead. I’m not sure if that came from my parents, growing up on a farm, being raised with 4 brothers or just a stubbornness that was ingrained from the beginning of my life, but if it was difficult and I was passionate about it, I was going to do it.

I found a love for creating programs for students with severe autism and emotional disturbances. Many times, these were students that other people had given up on. I could see they were students who longed for belonging, connection and support from others, and when they got that from me, I could create plans that helped them see success in the classroom and that was EVERYTHING to me. In hindsight, it was sort of like I was creating a business plan several times a year specific to each student’s needs to help them be successful. I was huge on tracking data that went hand in hand with the programs and strategies that I was implementing in the educational setting. We often had to pivot, and I think that’s an essential skill for not only teachers but entrepreneurs as well.

Today, I am still the biggest fan of data and analytics — just from a Shopify point of view. Working in Lincoln Public Schools and having had my second child, I decided to take a year’s leave after I’d been teaching for four years. In that time at home with my kids, I got the opportunity to focus on my family and fulfill my love for health and fitness a little more regularly. I met my co-founder during this time and that’s when we began the conversation of Little Movements. Needless to say, I haven’t gone back to teaching, almost nine years later, and have settled in with my new love: business and entrepreneurship.

What is your favorite part about being a co-founder and business owner?

I can’t name just one! My business has become my livelihood and I am so proud. Bringing an idea to life that becomes income for not only myself, but others in our community as well is incredibly rewarding. Also, providing this active clothing line for like-minded women who are seeking motivation and confidence in order to be the healthiest version of themselves has been another favorite part of being an entrepreneur.

Your businesses are built on the foundation of female empowerment, community building and the pursuit of active lifestyles. How did this mission come to be?

I read a quote the other day that said, “show up online being who you needed when you started.” I preach authenticity and that is how we began. Yes, we founders needed leggings that didn’t cost so much, but we were also craving community, empowerment and confidence. When my co-founder and I would show up online being exactly who we were, giving honest feedback on our purchases for our brand, sharing workouts each day, and styling clothing on diverse models in a way that we would wear them confidently, we created a community of like-minded women. It really is a branding. If we want to look at this on another level, when it comes to our innovative performance bra that we patented, we listened to our community, we heard their wants and needs and we brought it to life. We are excited to revolutionize sports bras with a prototype made by women, for women, and that is so empowering!

Talk about the opportunities and challenges that come with a career in entrepreneurship, how have you used your Nebraska education to optimize opportunity and overcome challenges?

I had such a great experience at UNL. Courses at Nebraska instill in you many valuable qualities including an independent work ethic, lots of opportunities for growth and the ability to pivot and re-strategize when things don’t go as planned. Many opportunities that I’ve had within my business are related to connections with others that I met at the university. I was motivated highly by my professors there, especially Sue Kemp and John Maag who I felt pushed me to be the best version of myself during my time there. They were entrepreneurs to me. Thinking about presenting in front of a classroom and being graded by your professors or administrators and taking that feedback to make you better is so much of what I am doing now. I’m pitching in front of potential investors regularly, and colleagues, and receiving feedback to make my business better.

You recently got the chance to come back to campus and speak to students in the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program. What was it like to speak at your alma mater?

SO COOL! And very full circle for me. I loved to see East Campus again and how it has grown since 2012!

What was your favorite memory at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

I met some of my lifelong friends there at UNL and have so many core memories there. The connection within our community where I am building my life and business after college has been impacted by my connections I made while at the university.

Was there someone at Nebraska that had a big impact on you?

I loved learning from both John Maag and Sue Kemp as professors. I really enjoyed their teaching style through stories and their “real life” approach and educational outlook on how to improve students day to day life.

If you were to give current students advice on using their degree in unexpected ways and chasing an entrepreneurial passion, what would it be?

If an idea aligns with a passion and purpose, you won’t fail. There are so many skills you are using in the moment that will serve endless purposes throughout your lifetime.

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