We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Melissa Parsons. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Melissa below.
Hi Melissa, thanks for joining us today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?
Context: When I was in elementary school I came home from school on what seemed to be a regular, crisp fall afternoon. When I walked through the door I turned to see the most magical display in our family dining room. It felt like a dream. The chandelier, the table, the chairs, the room was full of Halloween flair! Little plastic jack o lanterns were scattered down the long dining table with ribbons, crepe paper, and candies filling the table. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It’s like I had just stumbled into a movie set for Halloween. As I took it all in I glanced around the corner to find my mom and her best friend. They must have visited the craft store and on a whim decided to throw an impromptu soiree for me and several of my grade school friends. I was so overwhelmed and surprised by the detailed decor that I never forgot how special I felt in that room!
My mom did throw great birthday parties, but she had never thrown a Halloween party- or any sort of surprise party! The importance of the element of surprise was cemented in my brain that day. It communicated love, value, and celebration so boldly. It communicated that my mom and her friend had spent time, thought, and effort to prepare a place for me and my friends to experience joy. It was marked as a very special day forever more. How often do you walk into a home to find a beautiful party and table set just for you?!
This was my first memory of the power of a party. Since that moment, I knew that I had to have that level of whimsy and celebration in my life and how impactful and special it would be for others living out normal, mundane days to experience what I experienced that day. I have made it my life’s mission to re-create moments and experiences like my mom and her best friend did for me that day. It is my goal to inspire others to host in a way that matters. Often at home, with family, friends, and neighbors. Hosting What Matters is guest focused hospitality. I am passionate about hosting in a way that matters to the individual. People are the most worthwhile endeavor, and hosting them in a way that matters to them creates life long impact.
Melissa, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
For most of my life, my family moved around quite a bit. That meant I was new in town and often lonely. I experienced what it felt like to be unseen in a room of people that already knew everyone and didn’t have extra room at the table for one more. I also had the opportunity to experience hospitality that was life changing. I became a student of other people and how they hosted others. I noticed environments that left me feeling discouraged. I also experienced environments that made me feel loved and valued. I took notes. Over the years I grew more and more passionate about gatherings big and small.
One of the best ways to be intentional and create that special experience is Paper Invitations. This experience led me to starting a paper invitation and stationery business called Embellishprints. I offered wedding invitations, party invitations, personalized stationery, and personalized, self-inking rubber stamps. I loved meeting with individuals and helping them select an invitation that would communicate their style and set the tone for their event. Along the way my husband, Justin, and I had three beautiful babies. I continued to run Embellishprints, hand making most of my paper products and manufacturing the customer rubber stamps in our laundry room. After my third child was born, I decided that it was time to push pause on Embellishprints and focus on our children.
Shortly after closing the doors of Embellishprints, I began blogging about hospitality. In my daily life, I was inviting neighbors over for chili before trick or treating, hosting kids birthday parties, and finding ways to celebrate the people in my life in big and small ways. After a few years of sharing my passion for hosting, the brand Hosting What Matters was formed.
Hosting What Matters has allowed me to share my passion and message of hosting in a way that matters to the guest/individual. Hosting (hospitality) is guest focused, whereas entertaining is host focused. Entertaining says “come look at my pretty house, delicious food, fancy dishes.” Guests often leave these gatherings feeling discouraged. Hospitality says “I’m here to connect with YOU!” Offering guests THEIR favorite beverages, having a comfortable place for them to rest from the burdens of their day, and finding other ways to create an environment that communicates value and love for the individual guest. Guests leave these gatherings encouraged. That is my goal at each party- that my guests leave more encouraged when they leave than when they arrived.
I share tips, tricks, and inspiration on hosting in a way that matters on Instagram, on my web site, and at speaking engagements. I share gift ideas, table setting ideas, outfit ideas, and hospitality resources with my audience. I partner with brands to offer party styling collaboration to encourage my audience to host people at home and to do it often. Hosting people in your apartment or house can feel intimidating, but it does not need to be! I love to encourage people to use what you have and not wait until you have more. What you have is ENOUGH! People want to be invited, included, and hosted. They do not have the high expectations of what you may assume! I can help you host with confidence and ease with the simple hosting tips I share online.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My Christian faith is the foundation of why I host people in the way that I do, placing such value on individuals. God loves each person so much. The Bible verse Hebrews 10:25 “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.” is a theme verse for Hosting What Matters. Life gets so busy with work and activities that we often fill our free time with Netflix. Rest is important, but the best of life comes from gathering together with others. We need each other. Community is vital to our well being. Gathering with others can feel sacrificial, but it is always worth it! My hope is that the resources I share through Hosting What Matters will inspire people to host others as often as possible.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
See the story about Embellishprints on the previous page. Pivoting from Paper to Hosting What Matters.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hostingwhatmatters.com
- Instagram: @hostingwhatmatters
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hostingwhatmatters/
