Melissa’s journey into marketing began with a career in elementary teaching, which lasted a decade. When her youngest child was born, she made the decision to stay home while continuing to push herself professionally. Seeking the right opportunity, she stumbled upon a part-time, work-from-home position as a virtual assistant in a Nashville Mom’s group. After engaging in discussions with Jennifer and Alyssa about her skills and aspirations, Melissa found her niche as a designer. This transition allows her to embrace her passion for creativity while leveraging her ability to forge connections with people, resulting in the creation of powerful narratives that resonate with both clients and their target markets.
When asked about her motivation and passion for this line of work, Melissa highlights the platform it provides for creative expression. She takes pleasure in breathing life into her clients’ ideas and conveying messages, ideas, and stories visually. Additionally, Melissa emphasizes that the fields of marketing and graphic design are dynamic and ever-evolving.
"New technologies, design trends, and techniques emerge regularly and I like exploring and mastering new tools and design principles."
Collaborating with her colleagues further fuels her motivation, as she finds inspiration in their work showcased through articles, TikTok videos, and Zoom meetings. Each day brings something new, enabling her to create fresh content and expand her knowledge on topics she might not have encountered were it not for her clients.
Melissa emphasizes that marketing and branding cannot be approached with a one-size-fits-all mindset. With a background in education, Melissa understands the value of each individual’s unique story. What works for one client may not work for another.
“Marketing and branding goes beyond creating aesthetically pleasing graphics; engaging content, strategic hashtag usage, and search engine optimization (SEO) play significant roles in ensuring a client's information reaches the right audience.”
When it comes to her pet peeves in marketing, branding, or graphic design, Melissa cautions against treading the fine line between authenticity and being overly pushy. Striking the right balance is key to building genuine connections with the target audience.
Curiosity extends beyond Melissa’s professional life, and she eagerly shares her current favorite color combination—a preference for soft, neutral colors with a single accent color for her designs. Think of light beige, light brown, and cream complemented by a darker nature-inspired hue.
Outside of work, Melissa finds solace in running. Ditching distractions, she immerses herself in nature and lets her feet carry her along the trails. Quality time with her family, particularly while traveling, is another source of joy for her. With two young kids and a supportive husband, they make the perfect companions for exploring new destinations. Additionally, Melissa can be found dancing and immersing herself in the energy of EDM festivals, firmly believing that music has the power to bring people together and inspire boundless creativity. If you’re curious about the latest trending audio, Melissa is the one to ask.