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

Hi Christian, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
One major factor that has helped me succeed, is to consciously control my “self-talk”, you know, that little voice in your head? Mine used to tell me constantly “I never have ANY time… I’ll never get this done…” and that would leave me stressed and feeling overwhelmed. But during COVID, when my ability to rescue my business hinged on my ability to handle greater demands than usual, I made a point to CHANGE my little voice to say “Damn, girl, you’re so efficient! … And you look good, too!” LOL! I’m not kidding, my productivity went up, and my stress levels went down. It may sound corny, but be encouraging to yourself, and you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish!

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?
My hubby and I own Deer Creek Valley Ranch, a wedding venue in Bailey, CO. Inspired by our own love story, we decided to turn our Ranch into a venue 10 years ago. Now we have the honor of hosting a beautiful place for new couples to share their love story. Was it easy? No! Has it been a blast? Yes! Every year, we have reinvested, improved, and expanded on our venue, which means that every year, there have been new challenges with timelines, construction hiccups, and blown budgets. But also with each year, we’ve learned so much about the beauty in people around us, about our own strength and fortitude, and that love really does conquer all. The greatest lessons we’ve learned from this business are: 1) Always remember why you love what you do, then it won’t feel like work, 2) Embrace each client’s journey and uniqueness, 3) Listen to your gut: Don’t compromise if something doesn’t feel right, and be ready to “go for it” when it does feel right, 4) Prepare for the worst while expecting the best, then you won’t be disappointed either way, and 5) Laugh more!

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.
Ooooh, fun! We have three kiddos, so our fave spots are very kid-friendly. You’ve got to start out with brunch at the Brown Palace. Great history AND great food! Then of course a visit to the Children’s Museum and the Denver Aquarium right next door. Or take a drive up Guanella Pass to look at the aspens in the fall, or to the Fraser snow-tubing hill, depending on the season. It’s always a treat to enjoy hibachi at Fujiyama in Highlands Ranch, and in the summer, movies in the park are always a big hit. Colorado offers so much variety, it’s hard to choose just one itinerary!


Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My handsome hubby IS my story! We got engaged 14 days after we met, and got married six weeks after that. We are so in love with being in love, that 14 years later, we STILL celebrate our anniversary every month (169 months and counting…)! I always say he has given me a platform from which to “leap beyond myself”, meaning, he has created a safe place for me to stretch myself and take risks. There’s a beauty to knowing he’s unconditionally got my back. Also, we intentionally surround ourselves with friends and colleagues who love and challenge us equally. I believe the key to growth and happiness is to constantly push the boundaries of your comfort zone, and reward yourself accordingly. Also, to look for the miracles in each day, that habit makes them easier to spot. I am blessed that he reminds me to dwell in gratitude, keep a sense of humor, and focus on the silver linings. The best advice I ever got is from my mom. She said: “When life hands you lemons, put them in your bra!” 😊

Website: www.DeerCreekValleyRanch.com

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/deercreekvalleyranch

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeerCreekValleyRanch

Other: Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/deercreekvenue/

Image Credits
JMGant Photography, MSW Photography, Jenae Lopez Photography, Catherine Eischel Photography, ABC Music and Photography

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