After following in her father's footsteps into the family business, Marissa Saporta '99 reexamined her future and the world of e-commerce. After graduating from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in agricultural, resource and business economics and a minor in food industry management, Saporta found her niche as an entrepreneur. In 2014, Saporta co-founded Gorilla Commerce, using competitive research and market analysis to develop affordable, high-quality home, pet and office products based on consumer needs. Saporta's multi-million dollar business now has an array of brands and three offices worldwide, and is ranked as a top 20 private label seller on Amazon US.
How did your entrepreneurial journey begin?
Although I didn’t realize it at the time, my entrepreneurial journey began through my childhood upbringing. My parents divorced when I was very young, and my mother instilled in me the belief that I should never depend on a man. She wanted me to have it all: success, family, a happy marriage, and to be financially okay if life took an unexpected turn. My father, whom I adore, was a Cornell graduate in 1973 and told me there was nothing I couldn’t do or achieve. I was captivated by his charisma and intellect, and spent my summers working at his food factory. I wanted to be just like him when I grew up. I then took a commission-based job and thrived in an environment where I was financially rewarded for my efforts. All of this was the perfect foundation for what was to come.
When you enrolled at Cornell, did you know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?
While attending Cornell University, my plan was to join my family business, Blue Ridge Farms, majoring in Agricultural, Resource and Business Economics with a minor in Food Industry Management. My plan was simple: work outside the family business for two years, learn everything I could, and one day take over for my father. I had the amazing experience of working for my father and learning from him for a few years before selling the family business. At that point, I had to rethink what my career was going to be like, and after working for my family, I realized I never wanted to have a boss again. I got my first taste of independence as a residential real estate agent, where I had complete freedom, no base salary, and earned commissions based on sales. In my first year working in the industry, I converted 23 privately sold properties into publicly listed properties and was named Rookie of the Year that year. I quickly learned that I thrive with less structure and greater earning potential.
Entrepreneurship is about taking calculated risks. What is the most important risk you have ever taken and how did it change your path?
I was lucky enough to never feel the need to take big risks when my co-founder and I started our business, Gorilla Commerce, in 2014. We made small investments and careful decisions, but our sound business model allowed us to grow revenue quickly through rapid product expansion. Today, we are one of the top third-party sellers on Amazon.
The less obvious, calculated risks are the repercussions of starting a business as a mom: I missed a few Halloweens and dance recitals while on the road, but the support of my family got me through the years of hard work. And on the bright side, my kids learned how to set their own alarms.
How did your experience at Cornell influence the way you approach business?
My experience at Cornell was amazing and to this day, it was the best four years of my life (don't tell my kids or husband that I said that). Cornell gave me incredible confidence. Not only was I smart enough to compete with my peers, but I also learned the joy of laughing and having fun. I joke that those who were at Cornell between 1995-1999 might remember me as the blonde girl dancing on the counter at Dino's. I approach my work with the mindset that if I'm not having fun at work, I'm going to stop what I'm doing immediately and figure out how to bring the fun back. I try to bring levity to even the most tense situations.
What has been your proudest moment as an entrepreneur?
My proudest moment as an entrepreneur has been seeing the incredible adoption of our products in so many homes across the United States. Over the past decade, our products have reached tens of millions of consumers. Our flagship brand, Gorilla Grip, has established itself as a brand that offers high-quality, functional, and affordable products. This brings me great joy.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting out, what would it be?
When starting a business, it's important to understand your strengths and weaknesses. For skills that are not your forte, it's important to utilize third parties at first and then hire people to fill those roles as you scale. My other advice when starting a business is to not hang on too long if the business isn't working out. You can always start another business, but if after years it's becoming too much of a strain emotionally and financially, it's okay to quit and try again.
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