Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Suzanne Wagner. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Suzanne , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
Story: Take the Risk
At this stage in my life, when I should be thinking about my retirement. I am jumping into two new projects that keep me pretty busy along with my part time job as a school nurse.
The time had come for me to “take the risk”, go deeper while learning new things about myself and what is known as limited beliefs. Being vulnerable has hurt me in the past but it is now being used for good and being authentic is bringing people together in a beautiful way. I am someone who is recovering from pleasing people to the point where I lost who I was and the fear of rejection. Without thinking about what people would say, I jumped in with both feet. The “WHY” is bigger than my fear of what people will think and the rejection I may experience.
Taking a risk brings to mind my faith journey. What I have experienced over the years has given me the courage to step out and find out what I am capable of being and doing because I know I am not alone. God has blessed me beyond measure. He has taken me by His hand and I am reminded time and time again, “Do not be afraid, I am with you, I have called you by name.” Isaiah 43:1-2. These words are in the Bible and speak truth to me.
In 2016, I was physically, emotionally and spiritually exhausted. I could no longer live the way the world wanted me to. I had to make some choices. They were not easy ones but I needed to make them. That year I recommitted my life to God. I risked losing my family and my friends BUT GOD showed up. I walk by faith most days because of the love, grace and mercy God has shown me.
God has been refining me since then. Everyday is a risk I take to be more like the person I was created to be. I chose to trust God and learn who I am because of who He says I am. It is much easier to believe the negative things you tell yourself or have heard others say than to believe the positive things. But I heard God telling me a different story. He told me I am accepted, I am secure and I am significant. His truth makes me brave, courageous and bold.
I invested in myself, my education and my time. I am growing in ways I could have only imagined and prayed about. I am learning how to live without the first man I ever loved, my dad! I am learning how to mourn and grieve and know it is ok to have the moments that I need to pause, reflect and celebrate. I had to learn how to use my hands, my mind and acquire skills for what God has for me.
I am a nurse by profession and now need to learn new things like how to sew, write up a business and marketing plan, show up on social media, send emails, bookkeeping, etc. I am learning everything one would need to know about small business and a non-profit.
I enjoy connecting with people. I am finding my voice and I often pray that I am using it to make a difference.
This risk I take everyday is worth the time, money and sacrifice because like I said earlier my “Why” is greater than my fear of not trying at all. I have heard over and over again to keep my why in front of me at all times. It helps to ground me and reminds me of my purpose. My Why connects me to God, my family and the community. It lights me up when I get to work at it, I “get to” let my light shine. (Matthew 5:16)
I have Faith that God called me to take a risk and connect people together. It doesn’t matter who is against me because I know who is for me…….and that is a risk I am willing to take.
About You & Your Business / Brand. For folks who may not have read about you before, can you please tell our readers about yourself, how you got into your industry/business / discipline / craft etc, what type of products/services/creative works you provide, what problems you solve for your clients and/or what you think sets you apart from others. What are you most proud of and what are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work/ etc.
Hi, my name is Suzanne; I am a child of God. Born to and raised by Thomas and Pearl. I am the middle child between two brothers. I have been married to my High School Sweetheart, Christopher, since 1989. I am a Nurse by profession. The journey took a little longer than I had hoped, but I persevered and became an RN in 1989. I am the mom of two adult daughters. My business started when they were young, closed when they were teenagers, and resumed when they became adults. Chris and the girls are my biggest cheerleaders, next to my dad, who died in June of 2020; my mom advocates with excitement for the MelinyLLC Brand and me.
How I got into the Entrepreneurial industry started in 1992 when my dear friend Tina from college asked me to look at a Direct Selling Company plan. I was intrigued. I worked as a nurse for 4.5 years, our oldest daughter was ten months old, and the idea of staying home to raise her was very appealing. I worked with the company for a few years; I enjoyed the products, the people, and our weekends away. Working FT nights, starting a business, and having a baby was difficult. I had to give up something, and the DSC was the only option at the time. One thing I gained from this venture was to pick myself up, dust myself off and keep trying. (This seemed to be my motto, and Nursing school was no different) I also learned about my faith and Jesus from the Sunday services offered to anyone who wanted to attend. This is where I believe my Faith Journey began, it has been an incredible one. Not easy, but then again, I was never promised easy.
Chris and I had a miscarriage in February of 1994, and by April that year, we found out we were expecting again. Our second daughter was born at the end of that same year. She truly is a gift, one of God’s many miracles. (Both our girls are, but that is for a different time).
When our youngest daughter was four years old, I retired from nursing and took on the stay-at-home mom role. I loved being home with my girls; I threw myself into the role of Class mom. PTA member, Faith formation teacher, and Girl Scout Leader. My husband would often say lovingly he saw me more when I worked full-time.
As the girls and I were getting ready to walk to school one day, my 4-year-old refused to wear her scarf. She also said she didn’t want to wear the dickie neck warmer that went over her head, either. She gave me good arguments: her scarf was too bulky, and she felt like a “stuffed marshmallow” when she tried to zip up her jacket. She said the neck gaiter “messed up” her glasses and hair. She got me thinking. How could I get her to protect her neck without doing the things that annoyed her.? It was important to keep her neck warm because we walked to school daily, and it was cold outside. This was a challenge for me to get my children out of the house and be on time for school, especially on cold days. I went to the internet and could not find anything that would satisfy her needs. This was when I had the idea to take her over the head neck warmer and redesign it to fit her needs. I hand-sewed what I found around the house and voila, the first of many MelinyWraps was created. Designing these neck warmers saved us time and unnecessary stress with getting out of the house.
When I first started, we called the neck warmers Komfy Kollars; It was exciting to have a name for it because this idea became real. I started to share the Komfy Kollars with the teacher, parents at the school, family, and friends. I received great feedback on how helpful this product was to them. It was bringing people together, and I loved that. I was encouraged to share the design with the public. One day while I was volunteering at the Book Fair, a PTA mom heard me and said she knew an attorney that could help me trademark the name. Every time I talked about the neck warmer, someone said they knew someone that could help for a fee. I was beginning to feel like a fish out of water. There was so much to learn about owning and running your own business—for example, professional fees, i.e., attorneys, manufacturer, and marketing, to name a few, and then all the things to get your business started. I started to feel enormous doubt and fear about building and maintaining a business independently.
There was much more time and money going out to build the business than we were getting in return. By 2012, our oldest was in college, and our youngest daughter was preparing to go, and we also needed to pay for that. It became overwhelming for me to gain exposure to share the Komfy Kollars with the public and maintain business expenses. I heard it takes 3 to 5 years to get a return on your investment. When the five years were up, we still did not see any returns and were forced to close the business. The dream of Komfy Kollars ended; at least, that is what I had thought.
When I closed the business, I let go of the name created for the neck warmer. I had to let go of the dream to do something that would help simplify busy moms and dads; by designing a way to get out of the house faster while promoting independent children.
We put as much money into it as we could at the time. There was shame and guilt. All the lies I had heard in my head were coming true; “who did I think was trying something new? It was irresponsible; look at the money wasted, and the sacrifices weren’t worth it.” These were lies I believed; no one other than myself said this to me.
My dad loved his Meliny™Wrap and believed I had what it would take to run this business and sell. Before he died, I was selling for another Direct Selling Company and I was doing pretty good.. He told me that I could sell anything I was passionate about; however, I didn’t share his belief while I was building what was known as MelinyCorp years before. My late father-in-law was a businessman, he was excited for me and encouraged me along the way. He would say things that helped me know I was making progress. But I had a hard time believing it.
During the Christmas Season of 2020, while I was in the downstairs closet of my home, an envelope fell on my head. Thankfully, it was soft. Inside the envelope were 5 KomfyKollars/MelinyWraps. I immediately thought, “ok, now what?” I had such a strong feeling and wrote in my journal. While journaling, I recalled my second attempt to get the Komfy Kollars seen. It was 2016 when I sent a proposal to Ingenious Designs, promoting the product for review and partnership. I received a nice rejection letter that read, “Your product is an excellent concept. However, after careful review and discussion amongst the Committee, we, unfortunately, would not be able to partner with you at this time.” They thought it was a great concept but not enough to partner up. Feelings of discouragement and rooted beliefs revealed that I was now on my own. This made me feel lonely. I had no one to partner up with, and I had to juggle everything else at home; I was overwhelmed and alone in my visions, which influenced my decision to give up on my dream once again, or so I thought.
This memory awakens me to reflect on who was in my life and the people that encouraged me along the way. I was NOT alone; My family was with me, and now to add, my Faith- which was brewing and growing.
I went back to search for what had happened to the name I gave up; and found out the name Komfy Kollars was now owned by a dog collar company. I wasn’t upset; because it led me to think of a new name with a new belief; I am not alone! God was with me this time. I thought of my children; who inspired me to do this; and combined their names once again; Melissa and Lindsey, creating a new company now called Meliny, LLC! I started to feel that warm, exciting, and creative feeling of helping others with my neck warmers, bringing people together as I have done in the past; only this time; I was not going to get discouraged from rejection- this is a dream given to me, and my responsibility to grow. Whatever it takes- and with God by my side, I will never be alone. That was my newly healed mindset and beliefs!
I took another chance and put it on Fb to my community; did anyone know a clothing manufacturer? I thought, let’s start there. Believe it or not, I was connected to someone I did not know, but my brother knew her, from HS and college. She and I went to the same High School as well and knew a lot of the same people; my bold asking; brought us together. That connecting feeling returned- and confirmed- who I am, a connector. The neck warmer now called the Meliny™️Wrap is a way of bringing people together.
I started working as a Part time School nurse and had the finances I needed to invest in self-education through courses and mentorships. I spent time-consuming information, visioneering, ideal clients, elevator pitches, marketing, finances, and social media awareness. I got involved in like-minded communities doing the same things as me, and we encourage one another. I spoke with my husband and children about following my dream; they are my biggest inspiration to this day, bringing us together according to their talents and gifts. My husband says he is with me every step of the way. My daughter, who inspired me to create the Meliny wrap, is now the graphic designer and creator of the Brand, which was and still is super exciting. My older daughter is always cheering me on with an encouraging, heartfelt message. When searching for a manufacturer, I hit a roadblock, and that overwhelming feeling of doubts and fears of being alone returned. Then an idea came to my mind, “You can learn to sew them yourself.”. I thought, “what?”…. Off to google, I went and searched for local classes. I found one very close to work and my home. I spent the summer of 2021 in sewing classes and taking a social media content creator class. I went to God for every step, prayed, sat, and tried to be still even when I wanted to move or moved when I wanted to be still. I am the vessel moving when He says to move. This is the difference between the last time and now. I have an awesome partner this time, and it is God.
MelinyLLC launched on December 1, 2021. Navigating ALL things new was a huge risk for me…..and I am not talking about money. I had to learn to let go of limiting beliefs, heal old wounds that stopped me from moving forward, and sacrifice time spent with my family and friends. Heading back to classes that challenged me was exhausting, BUT GOD was right there every time, taking me by my hand and letting me know He was with me. “Do not be discouraged or dismayed, for I am your God; I will give you strength and uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
MelinyLLC is a company where you will find comfort made simple; it connects warmth and love through each one that is made. My brothers and I co-founded a non-profit in memory of our dad called Together Connected, where we are helping to bridge the gap of communication with patients, their loved ones, and the community. Our tagline is “No one is alone ”. God is always with us; we are not meant to do life alone. MelinyLLC exists again because I believe a percentage of each sale can help the foundation and, one day, other non-profits. We are a community of believers who let our light shine in a dark place. That is the risk we take every day.
I never lost hope; this interview helped me discover that limited belief that I had given up. But I NEVER gave up; I NEVER lost hope. My journals tell my limited belief a different story. I never gave up wanting to bring the neck warmers back. It was pretty great to go back over the years and see the words I had written.
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint”. Isaiah 40:31
MelinyLLC is soaring. We had an amazing year in 2022; the best is yet to be in 2023 and forever, God says.
This is more than just an invention or creative accessory. If you are like me, this is Still, a journey to be everything you want to be, even if you are afraid, even if you have to take a step back, even if you have to learn more, or relearn, roll up your sleeves and use your hands; like I did with learning how to sew. When I saw the discomfort from my daughter and the disconnect in communicating with the sick; God gave me the gift of caring and compassion, empathy with love, and would not want me to delay with doubts or fear, but through Him, we can move mountains. I am moving them daily when I work at Meliny LLC and Together Connected! I believe God called me to Matthew 5:16, And it’s the best feeling ever to know I am letting my light shine for His glory.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
The Bible (NIV translation),
The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines,
Miracles Happen by MaryKay Ashe,
Believe It by Jamie Kern Lima,
Leadership NOT by the Book by David Green with Bill High.
The Dash Making a Difference with Your Life by Linda Ellis and Marc Anderson,
Dare to Be by Natalie Grant and Charlotte Gambill,
SCORE.org on Long Island-I have mentor(s) and experts in their field through Free webinars and resources are offered
I have had a few coaches each one bringing something to the table while all delivering the same message….KNOW Your WHY and keep it in front of you!
I work with a Christian Business Ministry Coach
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn, and what’s the backstory?
Example: believing all the lies that stopped me from moving forward. The lesson I had to unlearn was that I COULD learn new things and that I was NOT ALONE on this new journey. During the time I had taken off, I learned to believe in this valuable scripture verse, Ask and Receive. Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will give to you, seek, and you will find, knock and the door will be open to you.” I started to believe that I would receive whatever I asked for in prayer—Matthew 21:22. To be clear, sometimes we get a ‘yes’, sometimes we get a ‘no’ and sometimes we get a ‘not now’. We may need to go deeper, we may need to pivot. but it does not mean we give up.I am grateful, I no longer felt alone.
Do you manufacture your product(s)? Tell us the story of how you got started – did you already know how to manufacture the product? Did you have to find a vendor who could manufacture for you and if so, how did you find the right one? What lessons have you learned along the way about manufacturing a product?
Yes, I manufacture the product. After exhausting possible leads for manufacturing, I was led to then learn how to sew, and I became the manufacturer for Meliny LLC. I also developed a small team that helps with the task. This experience was new but exciting for me because it broadened my knowledge about the product materials, i.e the cost, and type of fabric. This process allowed it to become personal to me. Every Meliny wrap neck warmer is handmade, with love, and care which set us apart.
Contact Info:
- Website: MelinyLLC.com
- Instagram: Meliny_LLC
- Facebook: MelinyLLC
- Other: Www.TogetherConnected.net IG: TogetherConnectedtc
Image Credits
Gail Danetti Katie Popecki