Meet Marisa Valdez | Co Founder & Chief Operating Officer

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

Hi Marisa, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Staring my own business was an exciting and rewarding endeavor I always dreamed of and knew I would one day. I met my husband when we were teenagers, and he has always worked in the automotive business. When he started expanding, we decided that I would leave my corporate job as an operations manager to help our business grow. I oversaw five independently owned car washes, oil changes, and auto repair stations in New York. Hailing from New York culture with a disciplined work ethic, our ambition continued to expand. During COVID, like many, we began to explore the idea of opening an ultra-chic studio where we provide vehicle protection and enhancement unseen to a mecca of beautiful cars. We wanted to create a Fusion of two luxury experiences, one for the vehicle and the other for the client. We knew there was a niche market for this type of service in South Florida—a place where you could bring your high-end vehicle for quality service and a product. The studio is where car enthusiasts enjoy exotic cars, car memorabilia, art, and wine nestled in exclusivity. More importantly, I wanted to make sure I aligned my passion and creativity through LuXsso Auto Studio and featured exclusive experiences within our social club, hosting people and their beautiful cars intertwined within the community we serve and do business with each day.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Luxsso Auto Studio, we put quality, innovation, and customer care at the forefront of everything we do. We are certified XPEL installers, the nation’s leading high-performance, self-healing, transparent film that protects vehicles from rock chips, scuffs, and light scratches. It provides a crystal-clear protective barrier that is virtually undetectable. Everything is performed in our luxury studio from start to finish. As an Xpel dealer, we have DAP (Design Access Program), the world’s largest & most comprehensive pattern repository. As an XPEL Certified Installer, the 80,000+ patterns offered by the DAP provide the confidence they need to apply film efficiently, accurately, and without concern. As this innovation takes time to perform and heal on this vehicle, we wanted to combine it with an inviting and comforting experience for our clients. Thus, the studio addition. We engage our clients in our various car club entertainment experiences or in our exclusive luxury lounge. Where does this all stem from, you must ask. Well, at 19, I began my career working in the Fashion industry in New York. I started as a visual merchandiser and product sourcing worldwide for quality and manufacturing design. This was an amazing experience, and I learned a lot. I was eager to know more. I was quickly promoted to marketing merchandiser and deployed from corporate to handle 12 of their Elite East Coast department stores and teach product knowledge and service to the sales team as a liaison between retail, corporate, and consumer demand. I began to notice trends and patterns in customer behavior. When I was escalating the career ladder for a few years, I became pregnant and faced various health challenges. I ended up giving my role at the company to a good friend. After giving birth, I couldn’t just stay at home and do nothing. I began an online dropshipping company in the early 2000s, where social media was not popular. I self-taught myself and used my fashion industry experience to my advantage. This worked for a moment, but I wanted faster results. I attained a job at a commercial real estate firm, working as a marketing assistant and executive to the president of the company. This role was demanding, but I was ready for it and eager to prove to myself as a mother of 2 and to the company prominently run by men that I could elevate their marketing branding with a keen eye for detail and customer relations. I have learned on my path to success you must be patient, resilient, and kind. Success does not happen overnight. You must show up and put in your efforts daily to see results. You need to seize the opportunity when it comes your way, even if it’s fearful, because this only happens a few times in your life, and you either go for it and see what happens or lose your turn. I have learned that everything takes sacrifice of something, but if you want it really bad, then it’s worth it because the feeling of accomplishment is worth it if it matters to you. I want you to know that Luxsso Auto Studio is the brainchild of two humble dreamers who simply put in the work each day and sacrificed time with family, friends, and many other desires, needs, and wants for one simple purpose: Passion. The passion to see things done right, the passion for cars, the passion to grow, the passion to live the American dream and be able to provide to our family the life we always dream.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh my gosh! I love doing this. I am known for saying the following..” I know this cute little hole-in-the-wall place”. So, I will pick you up at the Fort Lauderdale Airport, and we are driving to Heritage for lunch. It’s located in the trendy Flagler Village neighborhood; Heritage offers pasta made in-house, top-rated pizza, and elevated Italian fare. It is truly a hidden gem in a comfy loft vibe. Now, for dinner, we can visit AIDA. Inspired by the diverse coastal regions of Mexico, their menu offers fresh, high-quality, and locally sourced ingredients. Chefs carefully curate each dish to stay true to its Mexican Heritage. They have a nice collection of trending Mezcal tequillas. As you know, Mezcal is cooked with fire and wood, pressed, and naturally fermented. Mezcal is really an artwork.” It’s nice we can find it close to home. Can’t wait for Wednesday night. It’s ladies’ night at the Sunnyside Market over at the Wine Garden on Breakers Avenue. We enjoy happy hour and shopping at local women’s vendors. Alright, it’s Friday night. Get cute, and let’s go to Moxies, a modern and contemporary dining experience that features two indoor-outdoor bars with lounge, dining areas, and covered patios.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I thank GOD for the many blessings and guidance he has given me. Secondly, my husband, for all the support and inspiration he has provided me. His unwavering encouragement and belief in me have been instrumental in my personal and professional growth. His support has been my anchor during challenging times, and his inspiration has pushed me to reach for my dreams. I feel incredibly fortunate to have him by my side. My family and friends and I want you to know that your love and support mean the world to me. Your presence in my life is a source of strength and motivation. Our Luxsso team that are always standing by us and giving their all, and the elite South Florida car culture community Ferrari Club of Broward, Supercar Saturday, Exotics At Dania Pointe, Fena at Scuderia, Signature Autohaus, Lamborghini Broward.Thank you for being amazing people supporting our continuing journey together and achieving even greater heights with you.

Website: https://luxssoautostudio.com

Instagram: luxssoautostudio

Other: Tik Tok-@luxssoauto