Marissa Rosen Dacey: Building Family Connections Through Exceptional Care
From nannying in three different countries to building a boutique agency that treats childcare like family matchmaking, Marissa has turned her passion into a thriving business that changes lives one placement at a time.
Marissa Rosen Dacey doesn’t just run a nanny agency—she creates families. As the owner of MBR Nanny Network, she has spent the last decade transforming how Philadelphia-area families find childcare, turning what could be a sterile business transaction into deeply personal connections that last for years. Her approach goes far beyond placement services; she mentors her nannies through professional development, maintains relationships with families long after contracts end, and has built a reputation so strong it earned her the Philadelphia Family 2025 LOVE Award for Best Childcare Agency.
Marissa Rosen Dacey is a 2025 Philadelphia Family Women of Influence Award Winner
Philadelphia Family’s Women of Influence Awards celebrate exceptional women making significant impacts in our community. Marissa was nominated by her mother-in-law, Kathleen, and selected based on her achievements and dedication to creating meaningful change. Each Women of Influence Award Winner has committed to support Family Focus Media’s core values. Together, we are committed to foster a sense of belonging and empowerment for all for all families. All backgrounds, races, genders, and sexual orientations are welcome and safe with us.
Beyond the awards, our Women of Influence Luncheons and Speed Networking Night attendees come together as our Women of Influence Network, a community fostering connections, collaboration, and mutual support.
From Global Nanny to Local Entrepreneur
Marissa’s journey to business ownership wasn’t planned—it was organic. After nannying in three countries and working with 25 families simultaneously, she found herself constantly fielding requests from parents who wanted her to “find another me.” The tipping point came during her six-year tenure with a Philadelphia family whose twins were 8 and 3 when she started.
“Everyone was asking me to help find a nanny just like me,” Marissa recalls. “When one of my referrals didn’t work out as expected, I realized I needed to formalize my approach and create a proper system.” That’s when she made the decision to transition from nannying to building something bigger. “This work has always been my passion, and I knew I could make a greater impact by helping more families find the right caregivers.”
Her transition from nanny to agency owner was methodical. She researched agencies throughout the country, learning how the industry worked before launching MBR Nanny Network. That first placement brought her an unexpected payment, despite Marissa offering her services free of charge in exchange for a referral—and over the years, her reputation has only grown. MBR Nanny Network has earned consistent recognition from the Philly Family Community, including the 2025 LOVE Award for Childcare Agency, 2024 Family Favorite Honoree, and 2023 LOVE Award Winner for Best In-Home Childcare.
The relationships she built as a nanny continue to this day. The family she worked with for six years still talks with her every few weeks, and another former child she nannied just turned 24—they even attended her wedding. “We create relationships,” she says simply.
The Art of Perfect Matching
What sets MBR apart is Marissa’s intuitive matching process. She can tell within minutes of conversation whether a potential nanny will work for a family. “Families are looking for someone who becomes part of their inner circle—essentially a co-parent who joins birthday parties, knows the grandparents, and becomes an extension of the family rather than just staff.”
Her screening process is thorough but personal. She evaluates communication skills, education level, and childcare experience, while also assessing the intangibles that make someone truly family-compatible. “I’m very specific about ensuring that each nanny can fulfill exactly what the family is looking for—matching their experience with the family’s needs, the hours, and the children’s ages.”
Recently, she tackled one of her most challenging placements: finding two live-in nannies for a high-profile athlete. “I typically decline these complex arrangements because they require such intensive coordination,” she admits. “But after working closely with the client’s wife for three months, having weekly conversations to understand exactly what they needed, I was able to find two exceptional live-ins who were perfect fits.” The outcome was so successful that within the first half-hour call, the family chose MBR over agencies from around the world.
Beyond Business: The Personal Touch
Marissa’s commitment extends far beyond the initial placement. She offers a comprehensive guarantee that exceeds the industry standard 90-day coverage. If a nanny isn’t meeting expectations or if the match isn’t working for any reason, she replaces them at no charge. “We understand that finding the right fit sometimes takes time, and we’re committed to making sure every family gets the care they deserve.”
This level of service has created a client base that includes repeat customers like restaurateur Stephen Starr, whose demanding schedule requires complete reliability. “We’ve placed multiple nannies with his family over the years, and each placement has lasted 2-3 years,” Marissa notes. “The trust he’s shown in our agency and his continued gratitude really speak to the quality of our matches.”
Her relationship with her nannies is equally personal. She mentors each one, helping them navigate professional development and often supporting them through major life changes. “The feedback from our nannies is incredibly meaningful—many tell us how working with our agency has helped them achieve personal goals like paying for school or advancing their careers.” Many have been with her agency for years, some for the entire decade she’s been in business.
Navigating Industry Changes
The childcare landscape has shifted dramatically since Marissa started her business. COVID-19 brought both challenges and opportunities. “We saw a significant increase in demand during the pandemic, and while navigating new protocols around masks and vaccines created additional complexities, we were able to meet families’ needs during a critical time.”
The post-pandemic adjustment required flexibility. “Once restrictions lifted, many parents returned to daycare options, so we had to adapt our approach.” But Marissa turned this challenge into an opportunity for growth, recently launching in Washington, D.C., and exploring expansion into Colorado, where she’s considering acquiring an established business from a colleague.
The Emotional Investment
What many people don’t understand about the nanny profession, Marissa says, is “the deep emotional investment that caregivers make in every family they work with. The attachments we form and the genuine care we provide—it’s incredibly meaningful work that goes far beyond a typical job.” This emotional commitment is what makes transitions difficult but also what creates such lasting bonds between nannies and the families they serve.
This emotional investment extends to her own work-life balance. Her typical day starts with a workout to clear her head, followed by client work and family time. “Maintaining strong personal relationships is essential to me—spending time with friends and getting out of the house helps me stay energized for my work,” she explains. Emergency calls are rare—maybe two per month—thanks to her outstanding Director of Operations, Tanya Baxtron, who handles day-to-day operational issues.
The Family Business Philosophy
Marissa’s approach to business was shaped by her family’s background in service industries. Her family owned The Wayne Dairy Queen and later a high-end carpet company, also in Wayne. “Exceptional customer service is fundamental to success—being reliable for your clients, keeping your word, and being available when they need you. Referrals are the lifeblood of a service business, and they only happen when you consistently exceed expectations with that personal touch.”
This philosophy has made referrals the backbone of her business. “In a service-based business, referrals are absolutely everything,” she emphasizes. “Taking the time to understand what each client truly needs and providing that personal attention—that’s what builds lasting relationships and sustainable success.”
A Decade of Success
As MBR Nanny Network celebrates its 11th anniversary, Marissa reflects on what she’s built. Her fearless approach to business has created something much more valuable than profit margins.
She’s created a community where families find more than childcare – they find an extension of themselves. Nannies gain more than employment – they find career growth and personal development. The emotional connections forged through her placements endure long after the contracts end.
Marissa Rosen Dacey has proven that the most successful businesses are built on genuine relationships and unwavering commitment to service. In an industry that could easily become transactional, she has created something deeply personal—a testament to the power of treating every placement as if it were for her own family.
