We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alisha Melvin Esq a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alisha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Everyone has crazy stuff happen to them, but often small business owners and creatives, artists and others who are doing something off the beaten path are hit with things (positive or negative) that are so out there, so unpredictable and unexpected. Can you share a crazy story from your journey?

One of the wildest moments of my career came when I represented the estate of a deceased Dallas ISD employee whose home had been stolen through a fraudulent deed scheme. By the time I got involved, the property had been illegally transferred, tenants were living in the home, and over a million dollars in assets were being siphoned away through deceit.

As both a real estate broker and attorney, I immediately recognized the red flags. What started as a civil representation turned into a full-blown criminal investigation, eventually leading to arrests and coverage on WFAA News, and Investigate Discovery. It was surreal watching a story I lived through become a headline, but it also reaffirmed my purpose: protecting families and communities from real estate fraud.

That case reminded me that real estate law isn’t just about property, it’s about people, legacy, and trust. It was both exhausting and empowering. It proved that even when chaos shows up at your door, clarity, courage, and legal precision can bring justice back home.

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

I didn’t begin my journey with privilege, I began with purpose. As a teenage mom with a GED, I learned early that no one was coming to save me, so I became the kind of woman who could save herself and later, help others do the same. That determination carried me from humble beginnings to earning my Juris Doctor and building a boutique brand that merges law, real estate, and legacy with elegance and excellence.

Before becoming an attorney, I began as a hairstylist and salon owner at nineteen, working in the entertainment industry alongside icons like Sean “Puffy” Combs and Andre Harrell. I traveled with performers, styled for Vibe and Essence magazine shoots, and contributed to the kind of luxury experiences most only see from afar. That early career taught me about branding, presentation, and the importance of delivering a world-class client experience, skills that now define how I serve my legal and real estate clientele.

Today, I operate Melvin & Associates, a minority woman-owned law firm serving clients primarily in Texas and licensed in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. The firm specializes in real estate, probate, trust, and business law. Alongside my legal practice, I founded Alisha Melvin Esq Real Estate Services, a brokerage providing both residential and commercial representation with the precision of a lawyer and the discernment of a broker.

What sets my practice apart is the bespoke experience we deliver. Every client receives tailored attention, strategic foresight, and white-glove service. Whether they’re closing on a multimillion-dollar commercial property, securing a family estate through a trust I structured to keep the transaction discreet, or protecting their intellectual property with a trademark. I don’t just solve problems; I elevate the process. My clients often describe our work together as equal parts empowering and transformative.

That perspective didn’t come easily, it was forged through resilience and reinvention. Every challenge I faced personally became the foundation for the professional excellence I deliver today. My mission is to simplify the complex and make law and real estate feel accessible yet elevated.

My journey from salon chair to courtroom, from GED to JD, is a reminder that legacy isn’t inherited; it’s designed. And I’ve made it my life’s work to help others design theirs with precision, protection, and purpose.

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

I’ve always said my story didn’t begin in a boardroom, it began with a GED and a baby on my hip. Becoming a teenage mom forced me to grow up fast. I learned early that no one was coming to rescue me, so I had to build a future with my own two hands. Every obstacle, from late nights studying while my son slept to working multiple jobs just to afford textbooks became fuel for my drive to succeed.

That resilience didn’t just change my life, it transformed my children’s. Despite the odds, I raised a son who went on to attend an Ivy League university and co-found a tech company just nine months after graduation, raising millions in venture capital. My daughter built her own path in education, now shaping young minds while her own children thrive in private school. Both were exceptional athletes, scholars, and reflections of the determination that became our family’s foundation.

I eventually earned my Juris Doctor, founded a law firm, and built multiple businesses that now help others protect what they’ve worked for. But I’ll never forget where I started. That experience gave me the empathy and endurance I bring to every client relationship.

Resilience isn’t just surviving difficulty; it’s learning to transmute it into direction. The same grit that carried me from GED to JD and that helped raise a generation of achievers is what drives me to fight for my clients, advocate for fairness, and make sure every person I represent walks away informed, empowered, and protected.

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

At nineteen, I owned a salon and worked as a hairstylist in the entertainment and fashion industry, traveling with icons like Sean “Puffy” Combs and Andre Harrell, styling for Vibe and Essence magazine, and contributing to luxury campaigns for brands like Louis Vuitton. It was an exciting, creative world filled with opportunity, but over time, I realized I wanted more than the glamour. I wanted to help people build something lasting, not just look the part.

That realization was the pivot. I went from styling crowns to building empires earning my law degree and becoming a licensed real estate broker. My experience in beauty and entertainment taught me the essence of presentation, branding, and excellence. Those lessons now shape how I serve my clients in law and real estate; with discretion, detail, and a white-glove experience that honors their goals and protects their legacy.

That career shift wasn’t just professional it was spiritual. It reminded me that purpose often hides inside our past experiences. Reinvention isn’t about abandoning who you were; it’s about carrying those skills forward with new intention. Everything I learned in that first chapter creativity, client care, and luxury service became the DNA of the boutique brand I run today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/alishamelvin

Image Credits

KBS Photos