Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melanie Perez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

MELANIE, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you’re open to it, can you talk to us about the best (or worst) investment you’ve made. What’s the backstory and the relevant context behind why you made the investment

Me, Myself, and I Industries LLC:
The best and worst investments I’ve made as a business owner taught me some of the most valuable lessons about prioritization, strategy, and working smarter—not harder. Early on, I spent money on classes I didn’t need or finish, and I purchased too much inventory on items that weren’t in demand. While these investments didn’t yield returns, they helped me recognize the importance of thorough planning and budgeting.

I eventually found a mentor who taught me a lot about business and business credit in the body contouring industry. Her insights were invaluable, but I made the mistake of using my newly approved business credit to purchase her products and services instead of focusing on what my business truly needed at the time—marketing. While I gained knowledge and tools, my focus should have been directed toward customer acquisition and smarter investments.

I did allocate funds toward marketing, including hiring a virtual assistant (VA) and working with a marketing company, but neither brought a return on investment (ROI). This taught me that working smarter—by conducting extensive research on who to trust with marketing dollars and how to implement effective strategies—is essential. For instance, while paid marketing efforts didn’t yield results, free platforms like Groupon and ClassPass brought in more clients. These platforms proved that sometimes, simpler, low-cost solutions can be more effective than complex, expensive efforts.

The key lesson I learned is that as a new business owner, it’s critical to spend strategically—prioritizing research, evaluating ROI, and focusing on solutions that allow you to work smarter, not harder. It’s not just about spending money or time; it’s about doing so wisely and efficiently to make the biggest impact.

Effective Marketing and advertising is the most critical aspect of getting your business to grow. People have to know who you are!

Leo and Mel’s Gardening Services:
The investments we’ve made in both time and money for Leo and Mel’s Gardening Services have been truly rewarding. Taking the time to network and build relationships within our community has been one of the most impactful decisions we’ve made. It’s helped us connect with new clients, foster trust, and establish a strong reputation.

We’ve also prioritized investing in high-quality equipment, which has enabled us to deliver exceptional service to our clients. This focus on reliability and professionalism has been key to our growth.

Additionally, our decision to move from California to Texas was a significant investment in itself, but it has proven to be incredibly beneficial for us and our business. The move provided us with new opportunities, a supportive community, and a fresh start that allowed our business to thrive.

These experiences have taught us that thoughtful investments in people, tools, and opportunities can make all the difference in building a successful business.

MELANIE, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For those who may not know me, my name is Melanie Perez, and I’m a dedicated entrepreneur who has built two thriving businesses: Me, Myself, and I Industries LLC, specializing in body contouring and spa services, and Leo and Mel’s Gardening Services, a family-run gardening and landscaping business. My journey into entrepreneurship has been shaped by resilience, adaptability, and a deep desire to serve and uplift my community.

I started Me, Myself, and I Industries LLC inspired by my need for flexibility and my passion for helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. My business offers a variety of body contouring treatments such as ultrasonic cavitation, suction therapy, sauna detox, and butt/hip enhancements, post op lymphatic drainage, and more. I also sell a line of wellness products, including slimming gels, waist trainers, and enhancement creams, many of which I create alongside my daughter, Faith. What sets us apart is our personalized approach—we educate and empower clients to embrace their beauty and wellness journey while offering products and services that deliver real results.

As a certified body contouring educator, I’m also proud to mentor others in the field, especially single mothers and people of color. Helping others launch their own businesses in this industry has been one of my greatest joys, and I’m working toward providing scholarships to make these opportunities more accessible.

Leo and Mel’s Gardening Services was born from my husband’s expertise and passion for landscaping and my knack for business management. Together, we provide high-quality services such as monthly yard maintenance, cleanups, junk removal, and flower bed installations. Moving from California to Texas was a pivotal moment for our family and business, allowing us to reach new clients and build lasting relationships in a welcoming community. What sets us apart is our transparency, professionalism, and commitment to customer satisfaction. We ensure every client feels heard and their outdoor spaces reflect their vision.

What I’m most proud of is the resilience and growth my family and I have shown through our journey. We’ve faced challenges, including starting over in a new state, balancing family life with entrepreneurship, and navigating the highs and lows of running small businesses. But through it all, we’ve remained focused on our mission: to build generational wealth for our children and serve our clients with excellence.

To anyone considering working with us or supporting our brands, know that we are driven by authenticity, hard work, and a genuine desire to help others. Whether it’s transforming outdoor spaces or helping clients feel their best through body contouring, we are passionate about what we do and grateful for every opportunity to make an impact.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the most defining moments of resilience in my journey came during a particularly challenging time for our family and businesses. My husband, Leo, needed to take a 90-day medical leave, which meant we had to pause and temporarily step away from our gardening business. We made the difficult decision to email all of our clients, explaining the situation and letting them know that services would be put on hold.

What truly stood out during this time was the incredible support from some of our clients—they continued to send payments as if we were still providing services, simply because they valued and believed in us. When Leo returned and we restarted the business, 40 out of 60 clients stayed loyal to us. That unwavering support gave us the momentum we needed to rebuild and continue serving our community.

During this time, my spa business also faced challenges. With less energy to devote to marketing and the added pressure of needing to find a new location due to an expiring lease, things slowed down. Despite these setbacks, I stayed focused on what I could control, prioritizing my family’s well-being while ensuring both businesses would be ready to thrive again when the time was right.

This experience taught me that resilience is about trusting the process, leaning on your community, and adapting when life takes unexpected turns. It wasn’t easy to step away from our gardening business or navigate the challenges with the spa, but these moments of difficulty strengthened our resolve and deepened our gratitude for the support we received along the way.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the most profound pivots I’ve made in my life was transforming my mindset and lifestyle.** I grew up in survival mode, navigating a rough childhood and overcoming numerous trials and tribulations. This shaped a mindset of always needing to fight for everything, relying only on myself, and maintaining a constant state of alertness to protect my family. Being a single mother further reinforced this approach as I worked tirelessly to provide for my children and ensure their well-being.

As I evolved, I realized that this survival mindset, while it had helped me through difficult times, wasn’t conducive to building the life I truly wanted. Becoming a wife and creating a loving, supportive family required me to pivot in ways I never imagined. Trusting my husband—not just as my life partner but also as my business partner—was one of the most significant and rewarding shifts I’ve ever made. When he faced a medical condition that required him to take medical leave, we worked hard to rebuild our partnership, focusing on our growth both individually and together.

I still face moments of social anxiety and imposter syndrome, but I’ve learned to actively pivot my mindset to overcome these feelings. Surrounding myself with people who inspire and challenge me, and embracing the mantra, **“Your network is your net worth,”** has been transformative. I remind myself daily that I bring value to every room I enter and that my voice and contributions matter. This ongoing mindset shift has been a key factor in my personal and professional growth.

This transformation has extended to my businesses as well. I went from feeling like I had to handle everything alone to building meaningful connections, trusting others, and creating opportunities for my family. Balancing strength with vulnerability has been the cornerstone of my journey, allowing me to thrive as a wife, mother, and entrepreneur. This pivot has enabled me to focus on what truly matters—living a life of purpose, love, and abundance while building generational wealth for my children.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.memyselfandispa.com/testimonies
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/memyselfandispa?igsh=MTdobmxtdjdxajF2bQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14PLxo5zPQ/?mibextid=LQQJ4d