We were lucky to catch up with Melissa Magazine recently and have shared our conversation below.

Melissa , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

A few years ago, while watching television, I stumbled on a makeover show. During one of the interviews, the young lady who was getting a makeover stated that she didn’t like the way she looked. In fact, she was so displeased with her appearance, she said that when she brushed her teeth, she couldn’t even look in the mirror. I thought to myself, how awful! The idea that someone could dislike themselves so much they couldn’t even stand to LOOK at the reflection staring back at them hit a nerve.

I reflected on all the times I was bullied, teased, overlooked, and put down. Then, I thought about all of the strong women in my family who made a way out of no way by working long hours, and still managing to be loving, caring parents. I considered the sacrifices they made, and how they put their dreams on hold to give their children better lives.

Even today, I still think about those women who changed my life. I stand on their shoulders and follow the example they set. I honor them by sharing the good, bad, and ugly of my experience to inspire women to find joy in their lives and get back to loving who they are.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I’m Melissa. A Kingdom-driven self-love coach on a mission to help lead women to a place of deeper self-awareness, personal accountability, and self-care. I work with women who prioritize other people’s needs and desires ahead of their own. Little by little, these women push how they feel and what they genuinely want to the bottom of that list.

I’ve developed a toolkit of intentional self-development tools including podcasts, books, a daily devotional, and online courses that nurture the heart, mind, and soul. When practiced in safe spaces, these resources open women up to unmatched greatness, success, and power.

A few years ago, I was in a relationship that shook my faith in God. I felt used and betrayed. In all my life, I’d never experienced such excruciating pain. But I didn’t stay there.

I accepted accountability for my experience, and my power to change it. I surrounded myself with a community of people who believed I deserved better. I stopped the cycle of negative thought patterns and behaviors that were holding me back. I surrendered myself to God. I forgave myself; and I poured back into myself the love that I’d given so freely to everyone else.

In my e-book Broken Pieces, I unpack this relationship while sharing the lessons I learned of love, loss, and healing.

As a self-love coach, I teach women how to count themselves in when others count them out, how to reclaim their power in life, love, and career; and how to live purpose-filled lives, as designed by God.

I’ve also created the Life by Design Network to share my steps to healing and show women who are on the brink of greatness, and burn out, that they CAN live happy and fulfilling lives. I love women through their pain and go to where they are hurt the most. I offer a sisterhood community where they can safely shed their insecurities, doubts, and fears to emerge feeling free, fearless, and fulfilled.

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

I was bullied from an early age which transformed the perception I had of myself. I felt inadequate and unworthy. I wanted to “fit in,” yet my experience indicated that I didn’t fit in. I learned how to embrace who I was, with all my flaws and quirks. And I began to realize that my purpose was to help other women do the same.

To begin to walk in your purpose, you must first surrender to it. Then, you commit to fulfilling it. You also must believe that you matter. I decided to accept my creativity, along with my imperfections. I decided that my work is important and needed. That thought pattern has ignited the resilience and tenacity necessary to conquer any challenge that comes my way.

Any advice for managing a team?

Service and authenticity top the list. I learned that people don’t care what you have to say if they don’t believe you care about what they need or how they feel. Everyone is struggling in some area of their lives, yet most people do not talk about their problems. It’s important to foster a safe space and create an environment that inspires growth and evolution. People thrive and are successful when leadership is honest and transparent. Follow through on your promises and lead with empathy; that’s the way to create a healthy, wholesome, and happy team.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.melissamagazine.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissamagazine/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magazinemel
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamagazine/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/melissamagazine
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLiEbUqr_nHPuQ54QXHSY8g
• Other: Life By Design Network: https://www.lifebydesignnetwork.com/ 2 Sisters Podcast: https://www.2sisterspodcast.net/