If you feel unfulfilled in your life, only you can change it. You really can and you can do it alone. You can do it at any time. It doesn’t take a life-changing event to get you to go where you want to go.
Melissa worked as a leader for 20 years in corporations. She has been writing since childhood and now has shifted her, once private passion, into a purpose. She can write professional pieces or personal pieces that capture raw emotions. Being a very visual creative and thinking outside of the box, she also is a web designer and has added graphic design to her repertoire. She turns a voice into a vision and sees every opportunity as a chance to inspire others. Through hard work and determination, she authored her first book and released it in 60 days. She was the writer, formatter, editor, publisher, and the cover designer. She enjoys learning new things, connecting with others, and dedicating her time to those who need professional or personal support. Also, an advocate of mental health, she aspires to show people to not be ashamed of who you are.
Where did the idea for your company come from?
melissaannmeade: I took my full name and combined it together because it is me. It is who I am. The ann is in there to set me apart because a few people do have the same name as me.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
I wake up between 3:00 am-5:00 am most days. If I am working late the previous night, I will indulge and sleep in until 7:00 am. I never wake up later than 7:00 am. My body is programmed. I feel like I lose time, even waking up at 7:00 am. I am the most amped up in the morning.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I have a lot of ideas. I will do voice memos or type notes in my phone. I will always have paper and a pen because sometimes it is quicker to jot it down. Sometimes, I just start typing and leave it as a draft. I then take all of my ideas and organize them into content and categories and build from there. I do hand-written lists because I will always have that old-fashioned piece to me. I then transcribe it onto my laptop. I will start content and may not finish it, but it was recorded. I always revisit my drafts and if I am inspired, I will finish it. There can be no distractions though. I have to shut myself off from the world during that time period. My phone and computer will go on silent. If it is someone, I am working with, I flag them as a VIP because I know I have to answer.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Honestly, self-branding has become such a critical aspect in the world today. I think it is an amazing journey to go on. It makes you self-aware. It also helps you understand your direction, positive purpose, and most importantly, your identity.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
I never give up. I am relentless. I’ve learned that failure and rejection only make you stronger if you’re willing to try harder and have the right mindset. If I feel I need to step away, I do because I know my limitations. Sometimes things get overwhelming, but you can pause and get your mindset right. If I do not know something, I learn it and make sure I learn as much as I can every chance I get. With things changing so fast, I make myself aware and then if I see it gaining momentum, I dig in so I have a headstart. Also I never procrastinate.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Focus on putting yourself first instead of everyone else.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
If you feel unfulfilled in your life, only you can change it. You really can and you can do it alone. You can do it at any time. It doesn’t take a life-changing event to get you to go where you want to go.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Turn every setback you face and view it positively. Foster the feeling of doubt or failure and prove to yourself that you can do anything. I have taken every setback, stepped away, and asked myself, “what will you do now?” I then answer, “Something epic!” I then produce something, even if it is personal, that I am proud of and can share the story and inspire others.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.
I always express gratitude, no matter how busy I am. It can range from a handwritten note, a personalized email, or tagging them on social media. This then connects people through kindness. As they say, “you get more bees with honey.” The word spreads and kindness does as well. I also try to volunteer every chance I see someone in need. I help if they need something created, edited, or polished up. This is rewarding because something difficult to them may come easy to me. If they are struggling, I do what I can to help. People shouldn’t fear asking for help. There are a lot of good people out there.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Being a woman, I hate to say it, but it is still tough out there for us, despite it being 2018. I had a partnership opportunity that would have been a possible “dream team”. However, I would be the lowest paid and there were also other terms in which I needed to agree on. I didn’t agree and was rejected. I just went back to me and was actually grateful. I cannot and will not work with people who make me uncomfortable. Just because I am a woman, I am by no means, weak or needy.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I think that there are a great amount of professionals who are employed, yet unsatisfied and unfulfilled. As far as career coaching goes these days, this is a market to be tapped into. They are employed so can afford the service and often overwhelmed with hours worked. They may want to get out, but with such demands expected in this day and age, they don’t have the time. A business can do their resume, cover letters, branding, profile, website, and search for them.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
Honestly, on my Canva subscription. This service has taken me to a different level from proposal letters to beautiful designs. It helps set me apart and I stand out.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
For me, WordBook, it helps me quickly when I am writing. Instead of going to websites with ads, cookie banners, and email pop-up boxes, this is a paid app I use on my phone. It is quick and seamless.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. It focuses on decision-making and creativity. Some ideas, you act on quickly, relying on gut instinct, but they may not be the best. He then brings a different thought system in to have a slower process. This has helped me because often times, I jump on something for me. Then I need to change course because I don’t think about my readers.
What is your favorite quote?
It is a long one, but “Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of the rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing that you can’t do, is ignore them because they change things. They invent. They imagine. They heal. They explore. They create. They inspire. They push the human race forward. Maybe they have to be crazy. Because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” Jack Kerouac
Key learnings:
• You are born with talents and passions for a reason. Do not ignore them. Foster them, express yourself, and it could become an entrepreneurial endeavor.
• Stand up for yourself and your beliefs. If you put your mind into it along with drive and determination, you can do what you dream of. You can also do it, alone.
• People may judge you privately or publicly. When, it is all said and done, the only thing that matters is that you accept yourself. I have always been my biggest critic and terrified of others’ opinions of me. Now, I think, “well I am my only judge and jury so if I can handle it, I am okay.”
Connect:
www.melissaannmeade.com
www.twitter.com/melissaannmeade
www.linkedin.com/in/melissaannmeade
www.facebook.com/melissaannmeade02
Steve (Stefan) Junge hails from Germany and helps with the day-to-day publishing of interviews on IdeaMensch. While he and Mario don’t share a favorite soccer club, their enthusiasm to help entrepreneurs is a shared passion.