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

Melissa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Taking a Risk

The greatest risk I ever took was believing in myself when others told me I couldn’t.
Growing up, I witnessed domestic violence and instability that shaped much of my early life. My mother worked tirelessly to provide for us, and her strength taught me resilience, determination, and the importance of never giving up. Those experiences made me a fighter, but they also influenced the relationships I chose later in life.

As an adult, I found myself in an emotionally abusive marriage where I was frequently told I wasn’t capable, intelligent, or qualified enough to pursue my dreams. One of those dreams was starting my own marketing firm. I could clearly envision building a company that would help organizations grow through creative solutions, strategic marketing, and innovative thinking. Yet I was repeatedly told that I shouldn’t pursue entrepreneurship and should instead remain in a stable government position.

I followed that path for a time, working for the State of Maryland and eventually helping create and lead a marketing team that successfully rebranded the state. The experience was transformational. The leaders and colleagues around me saw strengths in me that I had not yet fully seen in myself. Their mentorship, encouragement, and confidence helped me realize that I was capable of much more than I had been led to believe.

The biggest risk came when I decided to leave both my marriage and my secure government career to pursue my vision. I quietly packed my clothes and computer, moved into a small room in downtown Baltimore, and started over. Shortly afterward, with the support of mentors and colleagues who believed in me, I left my state position and launched Mjach Designs.

There were no guarantees of success. I was leaving behind financial security, a steady paycheck, and everything familiar. But I knew that if I didn’t take the risk, I would spend the rest of my life wondering what could have been.

Today, Mjach Designs is the result of that leap of faith. Starting my business was not just an entrepreneurial decision—it was a declaration that I would define my own future. The experience taught me that the greatest risks often lead to the greatest rewards, and that success begins when you choose to believe in yourself, even when others don’t.

Looking back, I don’t see that decision as leaving something behind. I see it as finally stepping into the life and business I was always meant to create.

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

About Me & Mjach Designs

Mjach Designs was founded on a simple belief: People come first.
When I started Mjach Designs, traditional advertising agencies were struggling, and many businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits could no longer afford the large retainers and overhead that came with those firms. I saw an opportunity to create something different—a marketing company focused not just on delivering creative services, but on truly partnering with organizations to help them grow and succeed.

From the beginning, my goal was never simply to build a marketing firm. My goal was to help people. Whether working with a small business owner trying to grow their company, a nonprofit working to advance an important mission, or a government agency serving its community, I wanted our work to make a meaningful impact. The projects, strategies, and creative solutions were important, but the relationships always came first.

That philosophy became the foundation of Mjach Designs and continues to guide us today.
As the company grew, we invested not only in our clients but also in future professionals. We welcomed interns from local colleges, providing hands-on experience and mentorship while helping them develop valuable skills for their careers. Those same interns became part of our growth story, assisting us as we earned our certifications as a Woman-Owned, Minority-Owned, and Small Business Enterprise. Those certifications opened doors, but they never guaranteed success. They simply provided opportunities to sit at the table. What helped us win contracts was our commitment to our clients, our work ethic, and our genuine desire to help organizations achieve their goals.

Over the years, we have had the privilege of rebranding large organizations, developing impactful marketing campaigns, creating meaningful visual communications, and helping nonprofits share their missions with the communities they serve. We have partnered with organizations of all sizes to tell their stories, strengthen their brands, and connect with the people who matter most.

One of the accomplishments I am most proud of came when a client entrusted us with developing and launching a nationwide customer service program. What began as a single project grew into a long-term partnership that continues today—nineteen years later. That relationship is a testament to the trust we build, the results we deliver, and our unwavering commitment to serving our clients.

What sets Mjach Designs apart is that we never view ourselves as vendors. We become part of our clients’ teams. We listen, we care, and we work alongside them to solve challenges and create opportunities. While we continue to provide creative graphic design, branding, marketing, customer experience, and strategic communication services, our true focus remains unchanged.

We are in the people business.

The accomplishment I am most proud of is not a specific award, project, or contract. It is the reputation we have built over the years as a company that genuinely cares about people and their success. That commitment has led to lasting client relationships, meaningful work, and opportunities beyond anything I imagined when I first started the company.

At Mjach Designs, our mission is simple: People First. Always. Everything we do begins there.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

Funding My Business

When I started Mjach Designs, I didn’t have investors, a financial safety net, or a large savings account. What I had was a computer, a dream, and a determination to build something meaningful.

In those early days, money was incredibly tight. I rented a room, worked tirelessly to find clients, and often lived on canned soup while trying to make enough money to keep the business moving forward. Looking back, those days taught me resourcefulness, resilience, and how much can be accomplished when you are willing to work hard for something you believe in.

One of the first breaks I received came from a vendor I had worked with during my time with the State of Maryland. They believed in me and generously offered free office space for six months while I got the business off the ground. That support gave me the opportunity to focus on finding clients and building a foundation for the company.

As I began securing a few projects, I realized I needed additional funding to continue growing. I visited a large local bank in Baltimore and applied for a startup business loan. After reviewing my application, they asked for something I didn’t have—a business plan.

At the time, I remember thinking, “Who has time to write a business plan when they’re busy starting a business?” The branch manager kindly pulled me aside and explained that a business plan wasn’t just a requirement for funding—it was an important roadmap for building a successful company. Although the advice was invaluable, I left the bank feeling overwhelmed and discouraged. I remember walking down the street in tears, wondering how I was going to keep moving forward.

After gathering myself, I decided to try one more bank.

When I walked into the next branch, the manager recognized me from projects I had worked on with the State of Maryland. He invited me to sit down, reviewed my financial information, and made a call to the lending department. A short time later, he walked back into the lobby with a smile and said, “Congratulations. We’ve approved your startup loan.”

I was overwhelmed with excitement. I jumped up right there in the lobby. The customers nearby had been quietly watching the process unfold, and when they heard the news, something incredible happened—they began applauding and offering congratulations. Complete strangers were celebrating with me.
More than nineteen years later, I still remember that moment. It wasn’t just about receiving funding. It was about feeling seen, supported, and believed in at a time when I needed it most.

That experience changed my perspective on entrepreneurship. It taught me that while determination and hard work are essential, the encouragement and guidance of others can make all the difference.

Today, I have the opportunity to give back in a way that is especially meaningful to me. I serve as a judge for a local community college business plan competition, reviewing student business plans and helping aspiring entrepreneurs develop the skills needed to launch successful ventures. Every time I review a business plan, I think back to that first bank manager who taught me its importance and the second manager who believed in my potential.

Starting Mjach Designs required very little capital and a great deal of faith. But the journey taught me that sometimes the greatest investments come not only from financial institutions, but from the people who choose to believe in your dream before it becomes a reality.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

What advice do you have for managing a team and maintaining high morale?

My advice is simple: put people first.

Throughout my life and career, I have learned that people do their best work when they feel valued, respected, supported, and connected to a purpose larger than themselves. High morale isn’t created through incentives or policies alone. It comes from building a culture where people know they matter.
At Mjach Designs, I have always believed that leadership is about serving others. My role is not simply to manage projects or assign tasks; it is to help people succeed. That means taking the time to understand their goals, recognizing their strengths, providing opportunities for growth, and encouraging them when they face challenges.

One of the things I am most proud of is the number of interns, employees, and colleagues I have had the opportunity to mentor over the years. I have often found that people are capable of far more than they realize. Sometimes they simply need someone who believes in them and gives them the opportunity to grow.

I also believe in celebrating success, both big and small. Too often, organizations focus only on what needs improvement. While accountability is important, people thrive when their contributions are recognized and appreciated. A simple thank-you, acknowledgment of a job well done, or celebration of a team accomplishment can have a lasting impact.

Maintaining high morale also requires transparency and trust. People want to understand how their work contributes to the organization’s mission and why it matters. When team members feel connected to a shared purpose, they become more engaged, collaborative, and committed to achieving great results.

Perhaps most importantly, leaders must lead by example. If you want a culture of respect, encouragement, integrity, and hard work, you must demonstrate those qualities every day. People are far more influenced by what leaders do than by what they say.

Over the years, I have found that when you genuinely care about people and invest in their success, morale takes care of itself. People stay engaged because they feel valued. They work harder because they feel connected to the mission. And together, they accomplish more than any one person could achieve alone.

That philosophy has guided me throughout my career and remains at the heart of Mjach Designs today: People First. Always.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mjachdesigns.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MjachDesigns