We were lucky to catch up with Melanie Suria recently and have shared our conversation below.

Melanie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.

I spent eight years supporting researchers at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and I truly loved the work. It was meaningful and fast-paced, and I had the opportunity to contribute to something bigger than myself. Leaving was a bittersweet decision, but I stepped away to raise my two young children, believing I was closing that chapter of my career.

Then, while I was pregnant with my third child, I received a call from a former colleague. A physician needed help with a technology project, and so I stepped in to assist. I agreed thinking it was just a one-time project. But that one project became the start of something much bigger.

That physician became my first client. From there, word spread. I received more referrals, more requests, and more opportunities to help people and businesses solve real technology challenges. Friends encouraged me to take it seriously, and I realized that what I had thought was temporary had actually uncovered something permanent. I never set out to start a company, but I followed my passion, and success followed.

Today, I lead a team that supports businesses with managed IT, cybersecurity, AI awareness, and training. We help organizations protect what they have built and prepare for what is coming. I remain deeply committed to serving with clarity, trust, and excellence — and I carry forward that same heart for service that I had at St. Jude, now applied to helping business owners succeed in a digital world.

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?

My name is Melanie Suria. I am the Founder and CEO of Memphis Computer Support, a woman-owned IT and cybersecurity firm. I started the company in 2010, and for the past fifteen years, I have led a team that delivers proactive IT services, cybersecurity protection, cloud solutions, employee training, and strategic guidance.

My career began at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where I supported more than 150 researchers and scientists. I was responsible for managing complex systems, solving advanced technical problems, leading integration projects, and improving workflows through effective process management. I was the only IT support person assigned to my floor, and that responsibility helped shape me professionally. The level of trust I earned and the confidence my manager had in my abilities gave me the foundation to lead.

At home, my husband played a vital role. He believed in me early on and encouraged me to step into leadership. Although he is not involved in the daily operations of the company, his wisdom and emotional support have been essential. He has been by my side through every milestone, challenge, and decision. I would not be where I am without him.

I never set out to become a business owner. I left St. Jude to stay home with my children, and during that time I received a referral from someone I had supported in the past. That single opportunity reignited my passion for helping others through technology. With encouragement from friends and clients, I stepped out with an entrepreneurial spirit that continues to grow stronger. What started as one referral turned into a company, a mission, and a calling.

From the beginning, I found myself surrounded by men in this field. IT has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, but I came to realize that I have a place here. I have a passion for solving problems, a gift for making technology easier to understand, and a deep desire to protect the people behind the systems. I may be one of the few women in the room, but I know I am one of the ones making a difference.

Today, the work is no longer just about fixing computers. It is about protecting everything that matters to a business, its systems, its people, and its reputation. I believe that the most important part of cybersecurity is helping employees become more aware of what is going on around them. More than ninety percent of risk comes from human behavior. It is not enough to install tools and hope for the best. You need a plan. You need training. And you need a partner who understands the risks and genuinely cares about reducing them.

Over time, I have been asked to speak to chambers, business groups, peer networks, and leadership teams. I never planned to become a speaker, but I discovered that I have always been a teacher at heart. When I can help someone understand the real risks they face, and how to improve their security posture, I feel like I am doing exactly what I was meant to do.

What drives me is a combination of purpose, protection, and passion. I will work longer hours or take the extra steps if it means stopping a cybercriminal or preventing a breach. These moments matter. They are where trust is earned and real impact happens.

This business is not just something I built. It is a reflection of who I am. I lead with purpose. I teach with clarity. I serve with integrity. And I will continue to show up every day for the businesses and people who trust us to protect them.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

What helped me build my reputation is the standard I set from the very beginning. I never wanted Memphis Computer Support to be just another IT provider. I wanted to build a team that leads with trust, communication, and a deep sense of responsibility for the clients we serve.

From the start, I knew that technical skill alone would not set us apart. I made responsiveness and client experience the priority. I wanted every business that called us to feel like they were the most important one on our list, and I wanted them to experience what it means to have a true partner who follows through and stands by their word.

As we have grown, I have watched those same values take root in my team. We do not stop at five o’clock if a client needs us. We do not leave a support request unanswered or a concern ignored. The dedication I feel for our clients is now reflected in the way my entire team shows up every day. That is what makes me most proud.

Our mission is to protect and empower businesses by providing IT and cybersecurity solutions with clarity, accountability, and care. That mission lives in everything we do — from how we respond to a support request, to how we guide a client through a potential threat. We are not perfect, but we are always honest. We take ownership, we follow through, and we communicate with respect.

In cybersecurity especially, trust is everything. I have seen how much it matters when a client knows they can rely on you. In my earlier roles, I earned that trust to the point where my recommendations were implemented without hesitation. Today, I carry that same standard into every relationship we build. Our clients are not just users or systems to us. They are people we protect and serve with purpose.

That trust, combined with our relentless commitment to communication and care, is what has helped us earn a reputation that I am proud to stand behind.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

The best advice I can offer for managing a team and maintaining high morale is to lead by example. The actions you take, the words you choose, and the standards you set speak louder than anything else. If you show up consistently, work with integrity, and treat people with respect, you set the tone for the entire organization.

High morale does not come from incentives alone. It comes from creating an environment where people feel valued, supported, and connected to a larger purpose. I work to ensure that every person on my team understands how their work impacts our clients. We are not simply resolving issues. We are protecting businesses, supporting people, and helping organizations stay resilient in an ever-changing digital landscape.

Communication is at the heart of strong leadership. It is important to check in regularly, listen actively, provide clear feedback, and offer guidance when it is needed. Transparency also plays a major role. When challenges arise, I address them directly and work with the team to find solutions. I want every team member to feel that they are part of the solution, not just a bystander to decisions.

I also recognize that without a team I can trust, I would not be where I am today. In the early stages of my business, I handled every technical task myself, which limited how many clients I could serve. Now, I have a skilled and dedicated team that allows me to reach more businesses and help more organizations become secure and resilient. They reflect my values in their actions, and I see their dedication every time someone stays late to resolve a support request or takes the extra time to communicate clearly with a client.

Our mission is to protect and empower businesses through technology, education, and accountability. That mission is lived out every day through the work of my team. They are the most important part of what we do because they make it possible for us to expand our impact and serve more people.

Morale is built on trust, shared purpose, and mutual respect. When a team feels valued, supported, and part of something meaningful, they respond with loyalty, energy, and commitment. I am grateful for the team that surrounds me, and I am proud of the culture we have built together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.memphiscomputersupport.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/memphis-computer-support-llc/

Image Credits

I think we sent you guys photos already. I want to use the ones that we sent if possible.