Today we’d like to introduce you to Nerissa Dyess.
Hi Nerissa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Writing has always been my preferred method of communication. There’s always a story playing out in my head. I still remember the characters I made when I was a little girl, a mad scientist that actually resembles Rick from Rick and Morty who went on crazy adventures with his family, a dancer named Iesha who was struggling with body image, and a young mom going through the motions of being a mom, daughter, friend, and girlfriend. The characters are who I most care about when I write. When I started at film school directly after high school, I knew this was the industry for me, but then I got pregnant, dropped out of college, and got a “real job.” My one regret in life is not that I had a baby, I started my wanted family when it was time for me to start, but my guilt is listening to the naysayers that told me I couldn’t do college and work the jobs that I wanted because I now have a kid to think about.
I started my business, Nerissa Works, in the event that I could help someone stick to their dream and overcome the hurdles they can’t do on their own. I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration remotely while caring for my first two kids. I completed my Master’s Degree in Creative Writing for Entertainment while I was home with my four kids. I did odd jobs, worked as a Production Assistant, edited papers for fellow classmates, and helped small businesses get organized for money while I was a stay-at-home mom. After my divorce, I know I needed to get to where my heart was. Why was it ok for now, a mother of four to work three jobs, gone all hours of the day to “do what I needed to do to survive,” and not ok when I was a young mother with more vitality and 3x less responsibility to work hard to get to somewhere I actually wanted to be? Our society is so backward sometimes. Do you know two of my fellow roommates in college went on to be producers in Hollywood and at top ad agencies? If I didn’t listen to those naysayers back then, I could have been an optioned writer already, I know it in my heart because everyone I have ever worked with in the industry is always willing to work with me again and again. But it wasn’t my time, is what I continue to tell myself, that wasn’t my story.
With Nerissa Works, I work with small businesses and creative entrepreneurs to inspire their success through creativity and foundation. I bring all my administrative and project management skills to them so they can focus on their passion and craft. I keep them organized and on task so they don’t have to lose sight of their dreams. In my professional career, I have been excellent at all the jobs I’ve ever had, but they don’t fulfill my passion. I still write and lately, I’ve been writing every day. I am feverishly finishing my first book and going back to edit some of the scripts I’ve worked on to submit them to film festivals. I will write for Shonda Rhimes one day. I know it’s not too late for me. I know what I was put on this earth to do and I will complete that dream of mine. And in the meantime, I adore working with creatives to make sure their dreams do not go unheard.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Nerissa Works wasn’t hard to start right away, I had a slew of long-term and short-term clients. I believe the biggest struggle I had was Covid. I lost my long-term clients during Covid because they closed their businesses. I was doing work for people by word of mouth. The most I had was a Facebook page because I had the most clients I could handle. I wasn’t looking for anymore. My work is so custom I could be a virtual administrative assistant, writing or editing for someone, helping them with their business plans or proposals, or simply monitoring their emails/social accounts. It’s all very behind the scene. I am taking a different approach this year. I have started a collaborative group on Facebook for Creatives, I am launching a website with resources and blogs, and I had our first weekend intensive where I invited other small business owners and creatives to come to share ideas, get a plan on board, and work together to make sure they launch their ideas this year.
As you know, we’re big fans of Nerissa Works. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Nerissa Works is a project manager for small businesses and creative entrepreneurs. The services offered can include administrative duties, business planning, project-based assignments, writing/editing, social media planning, and other various duties pertaining to your industry. I’ve worked with chefs, hair stylists, decorators, home remodel companies, realtors, artists, writers, crafters, and nail techs.
Having been an entrepreneur and creative all my life gives me the street smarts to know the hustle game. Having had to work as a professional at the same time gives me the book smarts and on-the-job training that many entrepreneurs/creatives may lack. I am just here to make sure their passion becomes reality and they have the organization to maintain their business moving forward.
What were you like growing up?
I am an introvert. I didn’t have many friends, but the ones I kept were super close to me. I enjoyed sports. I played basketball and volleyball and ran track. My best friend growing up was my cousin Krystle. We had many good times, adventures, and tons and tons of giggles together. I loved to and still do, play video games. My favorite game of all time is The Sims. I get to create characters and live their lives, it’s just like what I enjoy the most about writing. I still play the Sims. I even have a plum bob tattoo on my back. I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing, but I don’t think my personality has changed much since I was younger, I just have more experience now so one would say I am wiser.
Contact Info:
- Website: nerissaworks.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/nerissaworks
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nerissaworks
- Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/nerissadyess
- Other: http://www.pinterest.com/nerissa0204
Image Credits
Nerissa Works
