LIFE IS A JOURNEY
Our Bios
Early in her career, Jessica Marriott worked for three international retailers in NY & CT. Soon thereafter, she was determined to create an internship at Ralph Lauren, Executive offices in Manhattan. Though internships were unheard of at that time in the fashion industry, she researched and designed the position she wanted them to give her, and they did! Education was important to her; she earned her BA at the University of Arizona and since graduating has received 2 Alumni Awards for her drive and determination in her life pursuits. Following her degree, she earned a coveted position at Bristol Myers-Squibb, and with her vision and determination she, along with a mere 10 other people in the United States, earned a trip to Monaco for being in the top 8% in pharmaceutical sales.
This “wanted it-got it” winning attitude was how Marriott embarked upon her next two endeavors, writing her first book before age 30 & started her own company, Tantrum Handbags. Marriott spent hours researching the top six retail chains, and within weeks of contacting their CEOs, she remarkably received appointments with each store. One of those relationships led to an unprecedented offer selling her designs one-by-one in eight Bloomingdale’s stores. Tantrum Handbags and Marriott have been featured in numerous media including ABC, CBS and So Scottsdale. Marriott’s journey included inspiration from many mentors (including Terry Lundgren; CEO of Macy’s).
She has also dedicated time to giving back. For ten years, she spoke and mentored students for Dale Carnegie, and entrepreneurs in the United States, China and Canada and has spoken to organizations and venues including The University of Arizona and ASU, Women Investing In Women, Jobing.com, and the National Speakers Association. She cares deeply about human rights issues and has given her time to over twelve non-profits as well as donated bags for fundraising. She has spent time on three boards, 2 Design Colleges and Fashion Group International. Her entire career has focused on building long-term relationships, with action- oriented people, who achieve results. Jessica Marriott is blessed with boy/girl twins who she prayed for since the age of ten years old.
Dr. Bluma Sapir, a native Texan, received Bachelor’s of Arts degrees in Spanish and Psychology from the University of New Mexico (Albuquerque); she received Master’s of Arts and Doctor of Psychology degrees from the California School of Professional Psychology (Los Angeles). Dr. Bluma’s graduate training focused on multicultural communities, as she has always been curious about the crossover between culture and relationships, and how culture can dictate how our needs and our words get communicated.
Dr. Bluma worked for 4 years in Los Angeles with Victims of Crime, serving monolingual and bilingual populations (Dr. Bluma is fluent in Spanish); she assisted veterans with PTSD (and other disorders) for 4 years; and she provided therapy for the Orthodox Jewish population since 2006. In addition, Dr. Bluma has focused on how marriage and family creates its own culture too, having studied couples therapy since 2002, and specifically learning with John and Julie Gottman over the last 9 years on understanding couples’ communication and conflict (dyads). Dr. Bluma worked as an academic professor teaching group dynamics; she was a visiting lecturer teaching topics to high school students, mothers of adolescent girls, US and Israeli Military Chaplains, Clinical Society members, and mental health professionals.
Dr. Bluma’s favorite brags include: working as a Congressional Page in Washington DC (1989), and having carried, delivered, nursed and facilitated growth and emotional well being to five beautiful children.