We recently connected with Melissa Olsheski and have shared our conversation below.

Melissa, appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

I was very lucky to have parents who brought me up with a strong faith in God and self.

They always encouraged me to both pray hard AND think independently. I always described our family as “liberal Catholics” who desired to discern the difference between God’s love and guidance, and human interpretation and understanding of faith/religion. I was taught to rely on the Holy Spirit for direction in all things, And I believe it is my faith that has always kept me from worry and concern when life gets challenging.

My parents also taught me “When there’s a will, there’s a way”. This very statement resounds in my head daily and it reminds me that I can do anything I set my mind to. Their lives and parenting style were a reflection of their own belief of this concept.

Mom and Dad had always encouraged well-roundedness and strong commitments (with great work comes great reward, but also great responsibility). So, thankfully, they provided many opportunities for my personal development. My senior year in high school, I was involved in multiple activities, a leader in most. I was in theater (principal dancer), track, student council (treasurer), competitive cheer (all-American), marching band (drum major), did extensive volunteer work, and was preparing for church Confirmation and college,

But sometimes commitments would overlap, and that would create challenges for schedules and priorities. (I now experience this truth from a parenting perspective as I watch and admire my own high school senior juggle all her academic, work, activity and social life). It was in these formative years when I learned the importance of time-management, sometimes the hard way.

As it would happen, one important night of the year came with a strong conflict. My Confirmation ceremony was scheduled the same evening as a very important, qualifying field band competition, in two different cities. There was NO WAY I would miss the religious celebration that I had prepared a lifetime for. But we also could not see how to skip the competition (after all, I was “leader of the band”!).

It seemed impossible to do both. But when there’s a will, there’s a way…

My parents did not have high financial means. And I am still unsure of how they managed what they did. But somehow, they (and God) made a miracle happen for me that night.

There was only a short time span between events, not even enough time to drive between them. But somehow, my parents had worked out with the band director to request our school be LAST on the competition schedule. We packed up my band uniform and drove to church. I had a beautiful, meaningful ceremony I will never forget. And when it ended, we promptly left and headed to the local municipal airport, where my parents had arranged a tiny, single-engine prop plane waiting on the tarmac. It flew us to the town where my band would be competing, a taxi ready upon landing, to speed us to the school.

I changed clothes in the car. Adrenalin rushing. It felt like I was in a movie. And when we arrived, I jumped out and ran full speed to the back of the field, where my band was waiting for me, literally marching in place to the drumbeat, moments before we took to the field.

I cry even now as I recall the memory, because the example seems so extreme. Most parents would have likely made their child choose between important events (or decide for them). But that one night taught me something I still carry with me today: NEVER give up, lose hope, or believe in limits. Because with God’s help, MOST of the time, you can figure out a way to plan and achieve whatever you desire.

I’m so thankful my parents taught me this lesson. Because it created a lifetime understanding in me, that through good relationships, creativity, organization, communication, resourcefulness, and determination… what you believe (with God’s grace), you can surely achieve.

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 back background and context?

I was always called to be a coach, driven to help others develop into their best possible selves. I was fascinated with performance psychology and interested in what made people “tick”. And I loved the challenge of helping others see things from a different perspective.
I was a youth/college athlete, and got my degrees in exercise science, wellness education, psychology, and natural health. I always appreciated integrative and complementary approaches to healing and performance. And have always believed that the mental and spiritual aspects of a human are even more vital to happiness and high functioning than the physical aspects of our being.

My early career was spent in outpatient rehab, hospital, corporate and commercial fitness until I became an entrepreneur in 2007 with a well-known skin care & cosmetic company. I loved being my own boss! And after 13 years focused on direct sales leadership and mindset coaching, I decided to take business to the next level.

I became a Certified Empowerment Coach through the SWAT Institute. This type of coaching is focused on the emotional/energetic aspects of healing. It teaches clients how to understand and process emotions to “rise above” their current circumstances. The higher we resonate, the more positivity we attract, the greater experiences we have, and the happier life becomes for us and those we influence.

All of The Above, LLC (AOTA) was created in 2020. Our core values are Strength, Energy, Spirit, Kindness, and Growth. And our mission is: “To provide people with Empowerment Coaching and education, to help gain awareness and appreciation of every aspect of themselves; so, they may experience life as an integrated and empowered “whole” human being, capable of pursuing limitless possibilities”.

In addition to one-on-one Coaching, AOTA offers workshops, body/mind sessions, image/beauty consultations, and fitness/lifestyle/wellness training (online or in person) for individuals and groups. Speaking and retreat engagements are also available. We have a “Free to Be” Blog and a “Self-Love Club” merch shop.

Last year, my first self-help book was published: “My Vibrator AND My Rosary: Learning To Love All The Dichotomies Of YOU”. This was a 2-year endeavor, and I am so proud to be an author. I am very excited to be networking with other incredible local authors, tapping into an additional method of outreach which nurtures, feeds and grows people through the written word.

I am currently writing the study/leaders guide for “V&R”. Our first book study will be coming soon, and a book tour is in the near future. I’m so happy to provide this resource to book clubs and individuals who wish to learn more about self-love. My greatest passion is to be known as someone who helps others find self-awareness, self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-appreciation, so they may also love others and experience life with ultimate joy.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

I truly believe that you can have all the knowledge and training in the world, but you must also recognize a few things in order to be successful, especially as an independent businessperson/entrepreneur. I think the following THREE points have truly helped my success over the years.

First, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND HUMAN FACTORS.

The whole world is going “virtual”. But in my opinion, there will never be anything that takes the place of true, face-to-face, authentic relationships and transactions. The heart of any success is your ability to relate to another person. In any field, we must find someone’s need, and fill it. The best way to do that is to build trusting personal relationships.

It may sound like an antiquated concept, but there will never be a great substitution for real, in-person, bonding conversation. Part of your business practice should always include at least a minimum amount of grass-roots marketing, networking, and promotion of your product/services. Be a walking billboard for what you do. Wear your logo. Be proud of your profession. Share your passion. Join a chamber or local networking group. You MUST have interpersonal skills in order to succeed at business.

Admittedly in an AI-led, global environment, sometimes relationship development must be done online, over the phone, via text, social media, etc. But never forget about the live and in-person humans around you. Many times, we have markets in our very own communities. In a personal interaction, humans can feel energy. We can hear heart in peoples’ tones. We can spot a fake. We can read body language. A potential new customer will always know if you are in it for them, or in it for you.

We can spend all day on social media marketing. But if you have a relationship with your neighbor, and they have a need that you can provide for, take care of them! Authentic customer relationships won’t just allow for the on-time sale of a product or service, but they will provide trust and retention. We all know it’s easier/better to keep a customer than find a new one.

Second, YOU CAN BE GEAT AT YOUR CRAFT, BUT YOU MUST ALSO BE GREAT AT BUSINESS.

Whatever your passion and/or skill set, you must treat your business like a business. If you choose to go into business for yourself, you must know from the beginning that education is a must. Business and self-management are required to succeed.

Direct sales and franchise opportunities are great for this. Often times, they will have systems/processes in place to help educate you on the business model. But if you are starting your business from ground-up, you must design/create those systems/processes yourself.

Money management, time management, marketing, promotion, advertising, product development, legal aspects, interviewing, hiring, planning, goal setting, etc. are all necessary skills to implement in your business. You can’t just be good at what you do. You must be great at business as well.

This leads to my third point… YOU CANNOT DO IT ALONE.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a one-man show, or you lead a large team. There will always come a time when you must acknowledge/recognize that you’ll need help in some form or fashion.

In my early years of direct sales, I hired a housekeeper and a personal chef before I hired an office assistant. I wanted to spend my time working at the job and learning my systems, so I could spend quality time with my family. My household duties stood in the way of those two priorities. So, I hired out, blessed another family with those jobs, and still got to enjoy my own.

As my team grew, I hired an administrative assistant so I could spend my time teaching skin care classes to my customers and business knowledge to my consultants. I shifted the administrative responsibilities to her, so I could stay effective at my most influential business role… “being with the people”.

In my current business, I have a virtual assistant for all of the things that are not my preferred priority (from customer management to marketing to event planning), so that I have more time to do the income-producing activities of actual empowerment coaching, writing, speaking.

Delegation is the only way to “multiply” yourself. And it might be the only way to keep you focused on your greatest talent/skill set (your actual craft) vs. the running of your business.

In general, you must always have a forward-thinking “growth mindset” in order to succeed at any business. Our culture is rapidly moving, and our customers get bored or distracted easily. When we can make solid interpersonal connections… and when our businesses are well-oiled machines which effectively provide for those we serve, we will find success both in our hearts and in our bank accounts.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

My greatest pivot in life and work was when I began to raise a family. I think this is the case for MANY women.

I always loved my work. I knew from the age of 7 what I wanted to do. I went to school for it and worked in the field for over a decade before my major life shift. I was a highly successful corporate executive in my 20’s and 30’s. I had moved up my professional ladder, owned my own home and car as a single woman. I was used to a certain income and independence. Then I happily married and merged finances and resources.

Once we started a family, my whole mindset shifted. My priority became my children over everything else, of course. But I also loved to work. This is when I started my first business and left corporate America. I experienced some guilt and frustration trying to balance being a mom and a worker. Some of my friends were secretly jealous of my freedom to quit my job. And others thought I was being selfish to try to keep working. I felt blessed to be able to work for myself, but it also came with a feeling of loss for all that I had previously achieved. It was a wonderful but challenging time.

The pivot from employee to entrepreneur mindset was a welcomed one. But it took time and sacrifice to start getting it right. There was obviously a huge shift in household routines and income at first. Lifestyle adjustments were happening all around, from child-rearing, to sleep patterns, to spending habits. I loved the freedom of time, but these types of changes can take a toll on one’s psyche.

Becoming my own boss was the toughest and best thing I did for myself professionally. My priorities shifted. But who I knew myself to be, did not. I knew myself well enough to know that I loved helping people, I knew I needed to keep my mind stimulated through the child-rearing years. I knew that I never wanted to stop learning and growing.

I thank God for the courage it took to adapt. I am grateful that my husband supported that growth of mine. And I have no regrets about raising a family, working hard for myself, and making the sacrifices it took to get where I am today. The blessings have been worth the sacrifices. And I don’t regret a thing.

Much of my passion for coaching women came from experiencing these types of adaptations myself. Many women lose their sense of self when they become mothers, and then again when their children grow up and move on.

There isn’t much that prepares a woman for the mental, emotional and energetic changes that happen throughout a 20 to 30-year timespan of womanhood. And many women find themselves lost, stuck, or without passion, purpose or direction after such a time. Many have lost credentials, time in the workplace, and confidence of how she could thrive or even survive if she were ever on her own.

I believe my life and professional experience has paved the way for me to help other women as they transition through life’s seasons. And it is with every new day that I remind myself that change is what brings rich meaning to what we have to offer others. It is so important remind one another of the same.

Every shift, adaptation, and change, bring us closer to who we are meant to be. So, keep pivoting, and keep going! There are great things ahead!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bealloftheabove.com
• Instagram: bealloftheabove
• Facebook: bealloftheabove
• Linkedin: Melissa Gabriella (Formichelli) Olsheski
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/My-Vibrator-Rosary-Learning-Dichotomies/dp/164396321X?crid=8H4ZC2N00I3N&keywords=my+vibrator+my+rosary&qid=1683700023&sprefix=my+vibrator+my+rosary,aps,78&sr=8-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=bealloftheabo-20&linkId=5e815d9f5f0f63fd128edfa0e30f27b7&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl