Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melissa Philippe. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Melissa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

1. Emphasising Education: My mom always strongly emphasized the importance of education, not just academically but broadly. She was an educator in Haiti, so when we migrated to America, she encouraged me to read widely, ask questions, and seek understanding beyond the classroom. This instilled a lifelong love of learning, which is fundamental in my current role, where continuous learning is critical to adapting and providing valuable insights.

2. Fostering Independence: From a young age, my mom encouraged me to make decisions and take responsibility for those choices. Especially as the oldest daughter, I was always responsible for knowing anyone younger than me would watch me as a guide, so I need to be mindful of my actions and how they affect others. This autonomy has been crucial in my career, allowing me to navigate complex situations and innovate without waiting for directives from others.

3. Valuing Hard Work: My mom came to America with nothing but the items. Isolated from family already in America to an abusive husband and his toxic family, she decided to do life with just her kids and divorce him. Something unfamiliar in his family created a series of events that made our lives incredibly difficult. Watching her experience this hate and pushback from people she considered family modeled to me that not only hard work and perseverance but forgiveness and grace so that you can accept what’s happened and move forward too. Observing her kindness and love through her dedication and hard work taught me the importance of rest but also effort, values that are intrinsic to my work ethic today.

These values and lessons from my parents have been instrumental in shaping who I am and how I approach my career. Their influence has been a foundation upon which I’ve built my professional life, underscoring the importance of education, independence, and hard work.

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?

I’m Melissa Philippe, the founder of Blissful Connections LLC and Blissful Births, organisations rooted in the pillars of wellness and dedicated to serving communities through midwifery, women’s health, and holistic wellness and spiritual education. My journey into this field was deeply personal and inspired by my own experiences and heritage as an Afro-Indigenous woman. I felt a strong calling to connect with and uplift my community by providing care and support that embrace cultural traditions and modern health practices.

About My Businesses:

Blissful Connections LLC: This is a multi-service business that offers support and services to spiritual and wellness practitioners, herbalists, life and family counsellors, and more. It’s built on the foundational eight pillars of wellness, ensuring a holistic approach to every service offered.
Blissful Births: As an Afro-Indigenous midwife and women’s health professional, I provide comprehensive maternal services, including prenatal and postpartum care, breastfeeding and lactation consulting, and end-of-life support. My work here is centred around empowering parents with the education and support they need to experience birth as a profound and joyful journey.
What Sets Me Apart: What distinguishes my work is the deep cultural and spiritual connection infused into every aspect of care and service. I blend ancestral wisdom with evidence-based practices to offer a unique, holistic approach to wellness and maternal care. My dedication to empowerment through education enables individuals to make informed decisions about their health and wellness, fostering independence and confidence.

Services and Creative Works: I offer a variety of workshops, mentorship programs, and individual consultations aimed at holistic health. These include herbal remedy workshops, mindfulness seminars, and comprehensive birthkeeping services. My products, like Haitian bain herbs and homemade body butters, are crafted with natural ingredients to nurture both body and spirit.

Problems I Solve: The core of my work is solving the disconnect many feel from traditional healthcare systems. I provide a bridge back to nature and tradition, offering solutions that honour both individual and cultural needs. Whether it’s helping a new mother navigate the complexities of breastfeeding or providing holistic care through natural remedies, the goal is to enhance wellbeing at every stage of life.

What I Am Most Proud Of: I am particularly proud of the community I have built and people’s trust in my knowledge and services. The success of my mentorship programs, where I pass on knowledge of herbal remedies and holistic practices to others, stands as a testament to the value of sharing generational wisdom.

What I Want Clients to Know: For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that with Blissful Connections and Blissful Births, you are stepping into a space where your cultural background and personal preferences are respected and where your wellness journey is supported with love, respect, and profound professionalism. I am here not just to provide a service, but to build lasting relationships and foster a community where everyone can thrive in their most natural and empowered state.

I invite you to join me in this journey of wellness and discovery, to learn more about how we can work together to enrich your life and wellbeing.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

If I were to reflect on choosing my profession and specialty again, I believe I would still choose the same path. The funny thing is, that is precisely what I did, and that’s how I ended on this path, to begin with. My mom’s family raised me to be the next matriarch of the family, so I knew midwifery, healing, herbalism, etc from birth. I also have always loved to read and educate people, but my mom always tried to tell me what my future will be, and in my way of trying to combat her control, I wanted to go against this idea of me. I majored in Business Administration and all until I quickly shifted and became an educator for 10 years, and in my growing frustration of not reaching the children in time and becoming a mother myself. I want the ability to connect deeply with individuals at pivotal moments in their lives, such as birth and wellness transformation, which aligns profoundly with my values and interests. The satisfaction of providing support that not only addresses physical needs but also nurtures the emotional and spiritual well-being of others is incredibly fulfilling. Each experience enriches my understanding and appreciation of life’s complexities, making each day meaningful. This path has not just been a career; it’s been a rewarding journey of growth, learning, and meaningful connections.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One significant lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that professional success and personal fulfilment must come from working relentlessly at all costs. This belief was deeply ingrained from observing the work culture around me, where long hours and constant availability were often equated with dedication and productivity.

The backstory to this unlearning involves a period in my career when I was overwhelmed by the demands of my work. Despite achieving professional success, I was often exhausted, leaving little energy for my personal life or well-being. This imbalance became particularly evident when I began to notice the impact it had not only on my health but also on my relationships and overall happiness.

The turning point came through conversations with my husband and peers, coupled with my own experiences in holistic wellness, which highlighted the importance of balance and the need to nurture all aspects of one’s life. I learned that actual productivity and success are not about the quantity of hours worked but about the quality of those hours. This shift in perspective led me to adopt a more balanced approach, prioritising time for rest, relationships, and personal growth alongside my professional responsibilities.

Unlearning this lesson has not only improved my quality of life but also made me a better practitioner, as I can now offer a more holistic perspective to those I serve, emphasizing the importance of balance in their lives as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://faithandmama.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithandmamaa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrettyRichMel
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-philippe-8a55a6a6/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Faithandmama
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@faithandmamaa

Image Credits

Manuel Philippe