Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Rivera.
Hi Marissa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Marissa Rivera, I am 20 years old and from Sanford Florida and I am a student at Seminole state college I am majoring in event management. I started planning outta the vault when I was 17 and a senior at Seminole high school. The inspiration behind outta the vault was feeling a lack of representation for young and local creatives. I was always interested in fashion and music but didn’t feel like making clothes or making music was really my thing and always felt like something behind the scenes was more my thing. When I was in high school I had all these big ideas for what I wanted outta the vault to be from performances to fashion shows to local vendors but I just didn’t have the money to do it that early on. So I kept all the ideas in a notebook and it wasn’t until December 2021 that I actually had saved up enough money to rent a venue and I decided to go for it.
I had absolutely no experience in throwing big events like this in high school I used to help people throw parties but that was nothing compared to a big organized fashion show. The first outta the vault included some of my friends who made clothes and doing my first event with people I knew definitely made it a lot easier. My first show was in May 2022 at the downtown art collective and was a success. I took a step back after that show to focus on my mental health and school, but I started planning in December 2022 for this past show which was on 2/25/23 at 212 video studios in Altamonte. The show sold out in one day! This was crazy to me because, at the first event, I only sold one ticket on the first day. I am extremely grateful for all the people who support and believe in me and what I am trying to do for the Orlando art scene. I am trying to be more consistent with events this year and plan to have another big fashion show at the end of summer.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road as I stated before I am a full-time college student and I also work a part-time job so balancing all of these things as well as my social life has been very difficult but I am grateful that I have been able to balance.
One of the most recent issues was selling out so fast which is definitely a good problem to have I just don’t want people to think outta the vault is some exclusive club and only certain people can come to my shows are for everyone so I definitely will be getting a bigger venue for the next fashion show now that I know so many people support me and want to come to support other local artist, designers, and creatives.
That’s why when I realized I sold out so fast I tried to incorporate some other events into that weekend, for example, the Friday night before the show I was giving out free shirts downtown, and Saturday night after the show I had a free after-party everyone could come to just since I know not everyone was able to get tickets.
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?
outta the vault specializes in giving a platform to creators of all kinds whether you make clothes, jewelry, model, or perform we want to give opportunities to everyone. I would say outta the vault is most known for the fashion shows as well as being a leader in the Orlando underground.
People travel from all over Florida to attend our events because they know so many creatives will be there. I think it really says outta the vault apart from others is that people socialize a lot at our shows, they’re not just events but experiences!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along this journey is to put myself first.
I learned that in order to grow my brand the way I want to I’m gonna have to miss out on some things sometimes and also I have to be pushed out of my comfort zone as well. I would consider myself a pretty outgoing person but I still get scared sometimes going up to people when I tell them about my events.
Pricing:
- $10 and up for tickets to attend
- $55 to be a vendor
- Free to perform or be a featured designer
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/outtathevault
Image Credits
Michael Douglas, Douglas Butler, and Edwin Palomino
