Marisa Smith is a creative and unyielding Economy Hero.  What else would you expect from a multi-talented professional who started her academic career in vocal performance and ended with a focus in computer support.  She launched her company, The Whole Brain Group (thewholebraingroup.com) in 2002 as an Internet consulting firm.

In 2008 Marisa tenaciously juggled a growing family while the market crash pushed her business to the verge of collapse.  ”I had a newborn baby,” she says, “my business partner left the company, the economy was terrible, and the industries we served were cutting budgets left and right.  About half-way through the year, I sat with my attorney and listened tearfully as he advised me to fire everyone and declare bankruptcy.  As I walked back to my office, I decided to stop acting like a victim and get my fighting spirit back.”

Marisa decided to reinvent the Whole Brain Group and, in less than three years she has build a top drawer Internet marketing company located in Ann Arbor’s historic Kerrytown district.  She has twelve employees and has received multiple accolades including the AT&T/WIPP Innovator of the Year.

When I asked her about 2012 Marisa said, “We’ve set an ambitious revenue goal, and have identified our strategy to get there.  We need to execute and stay focused on the long-term plan while keeping our short term needs satisfied.”

Fighting spirit with focus.  That’s how Economy Heroes make the difference and remain our nation’s competitive advantage.