Palette Talks | Where Strategy Meets Color: Inside Ops with Maresa

Welcome back to Palette Talks, our behind-the-scenes series where we spotlight the people who make Explainer Book™ come to life. In this edition, we’re sitting down with Maresa, the operations powerhouse who keeps our projects moving, our timelines on track, and our creative chaos in check.

With a background in hospitality and culinary arts, plus a love for all things Halloween and DIY, Maresa brings both precision and personality to her role. She’s part traffic controller, part problem-solver, and part party planner—all rolled into one.

In this conversation, Maresa shares what it’s really like to balance structure with creativity, the surprising passions that fuel her life outside of work, and why crossing things off her to-do list is more energizing than coffee.

📌 What’s a typical day like in your role?

A “typical” day? I’m not sure those exist in operations. One minute I’m deep in spreadsheets, the next I’m wrangling timelines, and somewhere in between I’m making sure everyone has what they need to keep projects moving. Think of me as the traffic controller making sure planes don’t collide—except my planes are coloring books and deadlines.

📌 How do you keep projects running smoothly across teams?

A mix of communication, clarity, and maybe a little bit of mom-energy. I make sure everyone knows the plan, has their snacks (well…metaphorical snacks), and is pointed in the right direction. When things go off track, I’m usually the one gently steering us back before it becomes a full-blown detour.

📌 What’s your favorite thing about working on creative projects?

Seeing ideas actually turn into something real never gets old. Watching a sketch becomes a book that people can flip through, color, and enjoy—it’s like magic. Plus, I love being the bridge between structure and creativity. Someone has to keep the glitter out of the spreadsheets, right?

📌 What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?

I’m kind of an open book—if you know me, you probably know just about everything. But here are a few extras: I spent most of my life in the hospitality industry and even have a degree in culinary arts (yes, I can make more than just boxed mac & cheese). I’m also completely obsessed with Halloween. I throw a massive party every year and start decorating about two months in advance. And when I’m not cooking or planning spooky soirées, I love crafting—especially making jewelry. Basically, I’m equal parts chef, party planner, and DIY enthusiast.

📌 Coffee or tea, what fuels your productivity?

I don’t drink coffee, and my tea must be iced and sweet—it’s a Southern thing. What really fuels me is the sweet satisfaction of crossing tasks off my list. Forget caffeine; nothing gives me more energy than finishing a project and thinking, “Yes, that’s done!”

📌 If you could master any hobby instantly, what would it be?

Furniture restoration. I think it’s amazing when people take something that looks like junk and turn it into a Pinterest-worthy masterpiece. Me? I just end up with glue on my hands and paint in my hair. But one day, I’d love to be that person who can see the hidden beauty in an old dresser and bring it back to life.