Meet Isnery Marrero | Photographer & Crafter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Isnery Marrero and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Isnery, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Adjusting to a new lifestyle these past two years has been challenging for many, including myself. Even though it has been challenging, it has also given many individuals the opportunity to explore their creative side. That is exactly what happened with me. Gratefully enough, I found myself working on not just one but two businesses, two of which are completely different but I’m equally passionate about. My businesses are Nery Vision Productions which concentrates on capturing life moments and the other is Nerys Craft Shop LLC which helps a customers’ creative vision come to life. Starting these two new businesses, I never imagined it to grow as much as it has.

Nery Vision Productions first began with a camera my partner had gifted me. My passion for photography has always been there but never did I expect others to love the work and trust me enough to capture their moments. When creating this business, my first thought was “what is our motto/mission, why create this business?”. Growing up, I truly found joy in taking pictures of the world that surrounds me. My friends would always question my need of taking so many pictures, but little did they and I know that it was preparing me for my future. Plus, now they truly enjoy going back in time when I send them those “throwback” pictures. My goal as a photographer is to make my clients’ vision come to life. My clientele serves as my motivation. Seeing the happiness of my customers through my work is priceless.

Nerys Craft Shop first began by keeping it amongst our friends and family. Through word of mouth, I started to receive more orders which pushed me to explore our creative side. Nerys Craft Shop sells handmade crafts such as personalized clothing apparel, resin work, wood work and much more! I started this business about a year ago when I received my machine as a gift. At first, I didn’t think I would do much with it. I continued to explore my creative side and explore all the things I can do with my crafting machine and from there my love for creativity began to grow as well as my passion for it. I decided to make something out of it because just as I loved to see the outcome of everything I was doing, I wanted individuals to feel the same when receiving their orders. My purpose on creating this business was to bring people’s happiness and creativity to life. I want my customers to feel joy and satisfaction when receiving their order.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a high school counselor whose passion is to help students achieve their dreams and goals. As a counselor, I am involved in almost every conversation that involves my students. I touch base with students on a daily basis to check up on their grades, help them apply to colleges and give them a safe place when needed. The interactions that I have with my students and families only enhances my love for what I do. I truly feel blessed to be able to watch students find their passion and develop their knowledge to plan for their future.

Getting into the career I am today was not at all easy. Before deciding on becoming a school counselor, my goal was to become a police officer. I had received my Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and once I graduated it felt impossible getting into the career that I felt I really wanted. I spent a year fighting an internal struggle until I realized that regardless of the career I ended up in, I knew I wanted it to be something that I would be able to give back to the community. I noticed that I enjoyed speaking to people and being able to listen to them and know that I was making some type of impact by just being there. It is then that I decided to go back to school to pursue a Master’s in counseling. Four years later, I work in a great school with colleagues who all work together to help provide students a brighter future.

My tip for anyone reading this is TRUST THE PROCESS, never settle for less and chase your dreams and goals ! That is what I want people to feel and relate to when they come across my brand. I want people to know that it takes resilience and persistence to get done what you set your heart on. It also takes a community to help each other succeed and that is what my businesses are about. I love taking on new challenges and giving and asking for help and advise to other local small businesses.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Luckily enough I live in a part of New Jersey where there are multiple things to do and see, including New York City. When I have friends visiting I love to take them to the following:

Nightlife
Social 59
Six26
Henrietta Hudson
The Shannon
Stonewall

Food
Maggianos
Rumba Cubana for some great affordable Cuban food
Little Tijuana
Valenća
Mompor Tapas

Brunch
Republic 23 in New York City
Mama Sushi
Lips

Exploring
Time Square
Central Park in New York City
The American Dream Mall in New Jersey

and there are drivable locations such as Atlantic City, Seaside, and Belmar

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to take the time to thank my partner who has supported me throughout my both businesses. The person responsible for pushing me to turn a simple thought into two growing businesses and has pushed me to never take no for an answer. There is always a solution to any problem. Thank you for your undying support and for staying up with me late nights to complete orders. I appreciate you!

Website: Neryvision.art and Neryscraftshop.com

Instagram: Nery.Vision and NerysCraftShop

Image Credits
Images are taken by me. Credit to my models Gabriela, Christine, Ann Marie, Destiny, Anthony and Daniela.