She might crunch numbers by day, but don’t be fooled—Marilyn is as much an artist as she is a CFO. With a deep background in photography, a side hustle in higher education, and a style that bridges preppy and poetic, she is the heartbeat behind Bungalow’s operations.
“I love learning new things, problem solving, and creating,” she says. And her career is living proof. Marilyn’s path has zigzagged through creative studios, classrooms, and spreadsheets—with her signature navy blazer (and ironed jeans) in tow.
Part Numbers, Part Nature, All Heart
“My first fashion memory?” she laughs. “Walking a runway as a child in clothes sewn by my grandmother. I think I got a stuffed animal as a prize.” Marilyn’s reverence for craftsmanship started early—something that still shows up in the way she manages Bungalow’s complex business rhythms with precision and grace.
“My mom and grandmother used to sew matching outfits for my sister and me for special occasions,” she recalls. “White gloves and all!”
Style Notes: Classic with a Twist
Ask Marilyn to describe her personal style and she’ll rattle it off like a mantra: “Classic. Audrey Hepburn for dress-up. Preppy surfer for casual.” Her fashion sense is grounded in comfort, but polished in execution—an extension of her approach to work and life.
Her “daily uniform” reflects this balance: a polo, Citizens jeans, a blazer if it’s cold, loafers, gold hoops, and her dad’s Tag Heuer watch. Oh, and yes—she irons everything.
Vision Behind the Lens, Vision on the Floor
“Photography helps me visualize the whole—from start to finish,” she says of her unique leadership style. “It allows me to think creatively while seeing the linear with volume.” That duality is what makes Marilyn such a rare force. She can run payroll, plan a photoshoot, teach a class, and still pause to admire the light streaming through the front windows of the store.
If her leadership were a photograph? “It would capture leading by example—teaching through doing.”
At Bungalow, Every Day is a Movie Set
“To me, Bungalow feels like home,” Marilyn shares. “It’s full of family and friends, always working, but somehow still enjoying the moments. Each day feels like a movie set—new players and props, but a steady foundation.”
That sentiment captures the spirit she brings into the showroom—someone who sees the beauty in the process, not just the result. From styling to systems, Marilyn makes the hard parts look effortless.
Lessons from the Classroom (and Life)
Also a professor, Marilyn is quick to credit her students: “They’ve taught me to question everything and then go find the answer.” That curiosity trickles into every spreadsheet she builds, every team meeting she leads, and every piece of art she admires.
Marilyn, Unplugged
We closed our conversation with a few rapid-fire favorites:
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Power Color: Navy Blue
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Artist Inspiration: Matisse
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Coffee Order: Grande Americano
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Go-To Reset: “Pray!”
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Current Read: Revelation, with commentary by John Walvoord
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Dream Creative Retreat: Israel and Italy
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Signature Marilyn Move: “Hmm?”
Marilyn’s presence at Bungalow reminds us that operational excellence and creative expression don’t have to be opposites. In fact, in the right hands, they elevate each other.
Smile, Marilyn—it’s your turn in the spotlight.
