We caught up with the brilliant and insightful MELISSA ALAKAYI a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi MELISSA, thanks for joining us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

My hope for my legacy is to be viewed as someone who contributed to the community. A woman who never gave up and was always persistent. The word resilient is something that I want people to remember because I believe that everything that was meant to destroy or deter me from my path, I was sincerely able to overcome. My hope is to always remain authentic and genuine to my empire. I want to always be remembered as the woman who gave people hope for their future no matter what they went through or will go through in whatever journey they decide to take.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Growing up, I had a million ideas about what I desired to be from a model, doctor, stylist, and much more. As I grew older my focal point got deeper into who I really was and I knew no matter what I did, I just wanted to be great and monumental. Cooking has always been at the forefront of my life. I grew up around people who enjoyed cooking and I took heed to a lot of cooking shows, which led me to my own personal interest in the craft. However, the desire to have my own empire has always been my dream for myself. I knew that I wanted to create something that would not only empower me but create roles for individuals like myself to become great as well. Currently, I have transitioned from what started as my small college business to a full-time catering service. Meals By Mel offers a wide variety of services that range from events/parties, private dinners, corporate lunches, Youtube tutorials, event planning, and now preparing for a seasoning launch. Our goal is to solve any issues that you may run into while celebrating a remarkable event. I think what sets us apart from anyone in this industry is our authentic quality of food and our customer service. I’m proud of the growth that I’ve been able to develop for my brand, as well as the team that I’ve formed. Our work is special because I think we create something that makes people come back for more or want to know who “Mel” is. There is a real deep passion for my brand and I want people not only to taste that but to FEEL it too!

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

In September of 2021, I started developing unusual swelling in my left wrist. At first, I thought I hit it on something or perhaps it was from working out, but the pain never went away. After constant doctor appointments and doing blood work, I was informed that I had rheumatoid arthritis. For those who don’t know what rheumatoid arthritis is, let me explain. It’s a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, with rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks its own tissue, including joints. In severe cases, it attacks internal organs. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joint linings, causing painful swelling. Over long periods of time, the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis can cause bone erosion and joint deformity. Dealing with this among other minor health issues has been very challenging. Especially in an industry that requires me to use my hands for literally EVERYTHING. It’s going on a year now and although it has been overwhelming I feel like I have been pushing through all of the obstacles. Having to constantly go to the doctor, always feeling tired, losing confidence because of the deformity of my hand, and even losing weight have all been a load. However, by keeping my faith first I believe that I will overcome this, and to me, that’s the illustration of resilience.

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

Whew! Managing a team can be bittersweet, but it’s an overall rewarding experience. My advice for managing a team would be to always remember you are a student of the game too! As a boss, it’s easy to feel like it’s “your way or no way”, but in reality, you can learn from your employees just as much as they can learn from you. As a manager, you have to be prepared for everything and be able to diversify your role if needed. You have to be a reflection of what you want your team to be. If I am well-mannered, exude positivity, and speak eloquently, then I expect my team to do the same. To maintain high morale, I think it’s important to showcase constant appreciation and gratitude for your team members. Your team plays a role in your brand’s growth, whether it’s by simplifying your workload or by bringing something new to the table. For me, I see managing as a graduation class. I want to always be able to assist in my team’s personal development and growth as well. As long as you have an open line of communication and showcase true genuineness the possibilities are endless.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mealsbymelissa.com
• Instagram: _mealsbymel
• Facebook: mealsbymell
• Linkedin: Meals By Mel
• Twitter: _mealsbymel
• Youtube: Meals By Mel

Image Credits
@Shotbytony_