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

Melissa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Is there a lesson you learned in school that’s stuck with you and has meaningfully impacted your journey?

The impact you leave on others through your experiences when encountering them are super important and have lasting effects.

OK, so picture this, I’m in high school, working hard, participating in after school programs from Student Government, Prom Committee, Student Worker, Drama Club, etc. to eventually becoming a full time employee immediately after graduation. I went from being a student to now becoming coworkers with my teachers, principals and other staff members. I grew so much during that time, facing many obstacles and truly having to grow up and mature. I made many mistakes during the 11 years that I worked at the school, from insubordination, disrespect, gossip, you name it (I’m actually shocked they allowed me to stay as long as I did). It wasn’t until I was let go that I realized I had to change. Upon hearing that I was not going to be welcomed back the following school year, I decided to just collect unemployment and take care of my then one-year-old daughter.

That summer we went to Disney for her first birthday and I also went on a leadership trip to Puerto Rico for a week. I had no worry in the world about my future, my income, I was at peace with everything happening at the moment. Before the summer ended, I was offered another teaching position making $20,000 more than I did at the previous school. And you guessed it, I took the job, received the great benefits but this time my outlook was different. I had an opportunity to change, to be the best version of myself. I decided to fully transform myself, the way I carried myself, the way I dressed; I was showing everyone how I wanted to be treated but also treated others with much love and respect. That was the game changer, that was the reason I started Do All Things with Love. It was my motto, it was my way of life. Since then, I have advanced in my career, I’ve built a solid network and continue to grow personally, professionally and in all areas of my life.

It was those experiences at my first school that moved me in such a way to be the better version of myself. I’ll never go back to that person I once was.

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’m a Philly native, teen mommy and now educator and mother of three amazing kiddos. I’m a teacher by day and a boss babe and dance mom in the evenings and the weekends. My life revolves around my kids, traveling, singing, dancing, crafting and making the best out of life. After having my youngest, Olivia, I decided to get into crafting. I bought my first cricut machine several years back and then sold it. About two years after, I purchased the machine again; first, to have something to do and eventually it turned into crafting as a side hustle. The pandemic soon hit and I knew it was the perfect time to start something new and master it. As soon as I completed my studies on my second masters, I had all the time to dive in and teach myself something new. Aside from making cricut crafts, I soon fell in love with making waist beads. I loved wearing them, I didn’t know anyone who makes them so I decided to take a leap of faith and make waist beads, sell them to family and friends and eventually make an instagram page for people to like, share and follow. Before I knew it, I was overwhelmed with orders. I started branching out and adding charms, different bead types, patterns, etc. I am still learning but I love what I do and my girls know it. I ‘ve gotten so many raving reviews and many have made referrals. I’m still looking to grow in my business. My most recent adventure in business has been attending pop ups and networking both in my city and as far as NYC. I have only been in business for just under a year and I am so excited about this upcoming season. With the warmer weather come more orders and more women wearing the waist beads I’ve made with love.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Success is what you make it! I have never thought twice about owning or running my own business. I went to school to become an educator and that’s what I’ve been for over a decade of my life. I just always thought I’d work at a school and teach until I retire. Business just wasn’t for me. Many people don’t know that my first major in college was in Business Administration. After a year, I decided it wasn’t for me and never thought about it again. It wasn’t until the pandemic hit, and although I still had my income, I knew I wanted multiple sources of income. I started to think about my talents, passions, side hustle ideas. I thought about making tees, crafts, and thought, “but everyone is doing that!” Then I started making waist beads and started having conversations with a close friend who works in corporate America. She started to help with my business planning, and the rest is history. I was the only thing holding me back, and I am so glad that I got out of my own way. Since then, I have embarked on a journey to pursue other business ventures until I achieve my goal of six different forms of income.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Getting uncomfortable!

I am not necessarily a shy person, but I don’t like to be on the “spot”. I had to put those fears aside and start being bold and proud of my journey, my goals and selling my waist beads and other crafts. I made a Facebook page, Instagram page, business cards, logo banners, etc. I am official so I must act accordingly. That confidence alone attracted so much attention and support. Doing that which made me so uncomfortable, was just what I needed to reach people. It worked and now I am constantly looking for ways to promote my work and get noticed for doing exactly what I love. All I know is that every time I learn a new platform or skill, my work speaks for itself and the support comes in and my clientele continue to grow.

I also always thanking those that have supported me. It’s that genuine gratitude that speaks volumes and keeps my clientele loyal to Waist Bead Jawn.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @doallthingswlove, @waistbeadjawn