In this episode, I sit down with Marisa Simonetti, a former political candidate and businesswoman. Marisa shares her unconventional journey into politics—filing for a Hennepin County Commissioner seat just days before the deadline, spending only $750, and still managing to beat out a candidate who spent $71,000 to advance to the final round, where she came within 1,000 votes of victory.

We talk about:

• Why she ran for office on a gut feeling—making a split-second decision that turned into a full-fledged campaign.

• The efficiency mindset in politics & business—why she treats campaigns like startups and maximizes impact with minimal resources.

• How tech is reshaping elections—from AI-powered research to data-driven voter outreach.

• Balancing leadership, motherhood, and relentless ambition—the raw, behind-the-scenes reality of running for office as a single mom.

Disclaimer: The views expressed by guests are their own. This podcast does not endorse or take responsibility for any guest’s statements or actions.