We were lucky to catch up with Melissa Vanoss recently and have shared our conversation below.

Melissa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

A time I took a significant risk was when I found myself saying “yes” to my book coach, who asked if I would launch my book in just one month. As the reality of my commitment sank in, I realized it was a big risk. Typically, when launching a book, it’s advisable to have a ‘warm market,’ a fan base, or at least a decent social media presence. However, when I said “yes,” I had none of those. Sure, I had contacts in my phone, but my personal network was cold, and my social media footprint was nearly nonexistent. I hadn’t used my own social media accounts for over seven years because I had been managing several small business accounts on the back end. So, I hadn’t seen the need to post on my own.

Yet, there I was—30 days away from my book launch deadline, with nothing done. The Virgo in me was stressed. I decided to dig deep, take the plunge, and risk everything. At the last minute, I even remembered to grab a life preserver. Knowing I couldn’t rely on my cold social media presence to connect with people, I opted for an old-school approach I dubbed the “Boiler Room” method. Much like the movie of the same name, I locked myself in my apartment, made a list of 100 contacts from my phone, and started dialing one by one.

You would think that after so long without communicating, people wouldn’t pick up. But time and again, each person answered with a cheerful hello, as if no time had passed. Given that it was during the COVID pandemic, it was the perfect opportunity to check on people. So many had been affected, and naturally, the conversations turned to what we had been up to. When I mentioned that I was writing and launching my first book, everyone said they were in and would support it on launch day. My big risk was paying off. Not only were people saying yes to buying my book, but I also reconnected with old friends, colleagues, and associates. It felt great.

And would you believe it—on launch day, my first book hit #1 bestseller in nine different categories. I was thrilled and elevated! That risk paid off big time. Since then, I’ve gone on to launch and publish two more #1 bestselling books, won a national book award, and started a program called the Trust the Process Book Marketing Program with my partner, Frank Zaccari. Taking that risk has continued to pay off in incredible ways.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My lifelong passions for books, learning, and public speaking have shaped every step of my journey. My love for books started in first grade when I was so excited about learning to read that I kissed the boy sitting next to me! By fourth grade, I won my school’s “Young Authors” award, a pivotal moment that took me to the Young Authors Conference in Columbus, Ohio—a huge milestone for a small-town country girl from a one-stoplight town where the soybean population outnumbers the people.

My passion for public speaking was nurtured during summers on my grandparents’ farm, working on 4-H projects. While other kids were swimming, I was creating 20-minute demonstrations for our annual county fair, covering everything from bike maintenance to first aid, even designing a full patchwork quilt with sample pieces to show each stage of its assembly. These experiences taught me early on the power of engaging an audience and sharing knowledge, a love that’s grown into my work today.

In addition to my work as a mindset expert and bestselling author, I’m co-founder of the Trust the Process Book Marketing Program with my partner, Frank Zaccari. Driven by our love for storytelling, we created a program that has achieved remarkable success, launching 15 consecutive #1 bestsellers and five award-winning books. Trust the Process equips authors to understand the vital difference between publishing a book and effectively marketing it—knowledge that’s essential for authors looking to leverage their books into powerful business models. Guiding authors through this journey and seeing them succeed as business-savvy writers is deeply fulfilling.

As a speaker, I work with colleges, universities, and organizations to empower future leaders and support professional development. I cover a range of topics around mental well-being, such as: “Discovering Confidence as Your Superpower,” “Trusting the Process for Success Both In and out of the Classroom,” and “Igniting Your Inner F.L.A.M.E. to Unlock True Potential.” My goal is to offer fresh perspectives that inspire students and staff alike to embrace growth and resilience in their unique journeys. Thank you for being part of my story—I can’t wait to connect and create opportunities for you to share yours.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

For this story, we have to time travel back to the 1980’s—a time of big, hair-sprayed styles, the latest top 40 hits on ca-singles, jelly bracelets, and punk rockers, with Michael Jackson reigning supreme. Picture me then, a young entrepreneur with my very first business: a paper route. Yes, I was an integral part of the local economy, tossing papers after school each day before homework.
One ordinary day, after school, I went through my usual routine—rolling up the papers, putting them in my bag, popping my ca-single of “Hey, Mickey” into my portable cassette player, and hopping on my Huffy bike with its banana seat. One of the last stops toward the end of my route was my best friend’s house, whose mom was a volunteer firefighter. I saw her running out, fully geared up, and yelled, “Good luck with your call!” as she rushed off. Not thinking much of it, I continued down the street.
When I got the stop sign at my street to go home, I turned my head to the left and could see the ambulance, police and fire trucks, ALL at MY HOUSE! My home was on fire, and my best friend’s mom had been called to the scene. I watched with my family as everything we owned was consumed by flames, leaving us with only the clothes on our backs. It was a moment that changed everything.
That moment—and the long process of rebuilding that followed—taught me resilience, adaptability, and how to keep moving forward despite major setbacks. It wasn’t the only fire we’d face; years later, fire struck our home again, forcing us to start over from scratch once more.
Out of those experiences, I eventually created what I call the “F.L.A.M.E. Formula.” Each part—Freedom, Leverage, an Adventurous mindset, Metamorphosis, and Evolution—reflects the lessons I learned in the face of those fires and the resilience I had to build. F.L.A.M.E. is about more than bouncing back; it’s about growing, adapting, and finding the strength to rise like a phoenix. Today, I share this formula with audiences who want to unlock their own potential, showing them how to Ignite their Inner F.L.A.M.E. in order to take advantage and overcome life’s challenges we are faced with in order to create new beginnings out of even the most difficult circumstances.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients for me has been through authentic sharing in live launches, where I can fully express the high-vibrational energy and excitement I bring to each project. By openly sharing my journey of launching books and connecting through videos on social media, I’ve been fortunate to attract clients who align with this frequency, growing a thriving business as a result. Working in a niche I truly love—Books and Marketing—allows me to be present in the moment and operate at my highest energy, producing results that our clients can feel. The Trust the Process Book Marketing Program, which I co-founded with Frank Zaccari, has not only developed clients’ books into #1 international bestsellers but also created the momentum and blueprint for them to build their author brand and business model for long-term success. Best of all, our clients’ success stories speak volumes, creating a ripple effect of word-of-mouth and results that naturally attract new clients who are ready to trust the process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.authorstrusttheprocess.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormelissavanoss/
• Facebook: https://bit.ly/3qziKJJ
• Linkedin: https://bit.ly/33WHbbF

Image Credits

Photo Credit – Cedric Edison, Melissa Van Oss, and Logo design by Richard Reimer.