We were lucky to catch up with Laura Marciante recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I owe so much of who I am today to the unwavering support and encouragement of my parents. From the very beginning, my ideas were not just acknowledged but celebrated in our household. A vivid memory from my childhood is the time when, as an awkward kid with a peculiar fascination for stationery items, my parents went above and beyond to nurture that interest. At the tender age of 8, they set up a grand office desk for me in the basement, complete with a large calendar where I could mark the passage of time. It was stocked with an array of stationery—post-its, pens, paper, binders, staplers; if it was a stationary item, they made sure it was there. Playing at that desk instilled a sense of confidence in me, and looking back, it had a profound impact on my mindset.

But it wasn’t just about the material support. My parents were, and continue to be, my biggest cheerleaders. Our family conversations, often lasting for hours during dinners, provided me with a safe space to express myself. Whenever I had an idea, which was frequent, my parents and siblings seamlessly rallied behind me, offering their unwavering support as if it were second nature. This automatic, unquestionable support created an environment where it seemed almost impossible for my dreams, goals, and visions not to flourish.

As I grew older, witnessing my parents taking risks, betting on themselves, and supporting each other in the process became a profound life lesson. It instilled in me a sense of security and the understanding that I too could take chances. While those risks might not always pan out, the crucial part was having my parents there, standing by me with their support.

One significant moment that comes to mind is when I contemplated dropping out of college after my first year. I vividly remember what my parents told me in response: “No one is saying you need to do this for the rest of your life, but you chose to start it, so now you need to finish it.” Their firm but loving guidance led me to persevere, and completing college turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. There’s an undeniable confidence that comes from actually doing what you say you’re going to do, and that was just the beginning for me.

I am unequivocally who I am because of my parents. They may never explicitly admit it, but I am certain that their constant support and the lessons they imparted have played an instrumental role in shaping the person I’ve become.

Laura, 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?

it’s been a wild ride. I started small, crafting and selling hairpins at markets, throwing epic kids’ birthday bashes, and even dreaming of opening a home daycare (that never quite took off). My mind has always been a whirlwind of ideas.

After snagging my diploma in Early Childhood Education, I spent a solid 12 years climbing the career ladder, constantly on the lookout for new opportunities. Learning was the name of the game for me. Sure, I knew there were limits with just a diploma, but I wasn’t having any of that. That’s when the idea of MeLor Inc. took root, and I’ll be honest, it was a tough, grind-it-out kind of time.

Ever heard the saying, “Six months of hardcore focus and alignment can put you five years ahead in life”? I swear by that. For half a year, I practically set up shop in my parents’ basement, glued to a computer screen, teaching myself the ins and outs of opening a staffing agency, all thanks to Google. I proudly wear the badge of a Google graduate. I immersed myself in everything business-related, changing what I read, what I listened to, who I spent my time with—literally everything. Opening MeLor Inc. became an obsession.

MeLor Inc. is a family affair, with my partners in crime being none other than my sister Melissa and my mom Franca. They’ve been right there with me, every step of the way, and I’m pretty sure I drive them a bit crazy. We’re a childcare staffing agency, supporting over 400 childcare centers across Toronto with their staffing needs. It’s not just a job; it’s a source of pride, creating hundreds of job opportunities in our community and providing newcomers with a foot in the door.

And now, the latest chapter in my entrepreneurial tale is “Pop-up Productions Inc.,” another family venture with Melissa, Franca, and our insanely creative cousin Jessica. Together, we curate immersive pop-ups around the city, delivering excitement, fun, and memorable experiences for people of all ages.

In the beginning, I thought my passion was all about early childhood education, but as I’ve grown, I’ve come to realize it’s just a genuine love for business. When people ask that age-old question of “why,” I used to scramble for different answers each time. Now it’s crystal clear—it’s entrepreneurship itself that keeps me going. I’m still that same 8-year-old Laura, playing CEO at her basement desk, just now in the real world. I’m hooked on the whole process and the feelings that come with entrepreneurship. It’s a wild ride, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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

Starting MeLor Inc. was a lesson in the school of hard knocks, especially when it came to securing the initial capital. I can’t stress enough the importance of a rock-solid business plan and a detailed financial forecast. I initially thought I could kickstart my first business with my entire savings, a modest $20,000 at the time. Little did I know that this sum would practically vanish within the first two months, marking one of the scariest moments of my entrepreneurial journey.

What happened with MeLor was a classic case of blowing up too fast, outpacing our financial capability to keep up. I found myself pulling every dollar I could from every credit card I owned just to stay afloat. It reached a point where we had to halt business operations altogether. Desperation set in, and that’s when I approached an investor.

In the throes of desperation, I didn’t conduct the due diligence I should have. No formal contracts, no legal advice— I just went for it, a move that any young entrepreneur might make. While it saved the business and allowed us to survive, it also resulted in a plethora of hardships. It was simultaneously my best move and my worst mistake, all wrapped into one intense chapter of MeLor Inc.’s journey.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

Meeting my business partners? Well, let me tell you, it’s a family affair, literally. My co-founders are none other than my mom, my sister, and my cousin – the dream team behind MeLor Inc. and Pop-up Productions Inc. Now, people say don’t mix family and business, but for me, that’s the only mix I trust.

Why does it work? Because there’s no giving up on family. We’re in it together, figuring things out as we go. And honestly, no one’s got your back like family. There’s this unspoken understanding, a bond that goes beyond contracts and business plans. It’s built on trust, loyalty, and a lifetime of shared experiences.

In our entrepreneurial journey, being family is our secret sauce. It’s not just about business success; it’s about creating a legacy we can all be proud of. The synergy we’ve got is something special, something you only find when family’s in the mix.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.melor.ca / www.theholidahideaway.com
• Instagram: @melorstaffing / @theholidahideaway
• Facebook: MeLor / The Holiday Hideaway