I see possibility and potential in people before they even might see it in themselves. In 2009 in the midst of a recession, I decided it would be a good idea to open a new business with a bank account that had less than $100 in it. Today people call me the founder and CEO of Oh My Cupcakes! where along with a skilled team of great leaders, our forty-five Cupcake Ninjas create flavor experiences like no other. In October 2020, knee deep into a global pandemic, I founded Sweet Cream Candle Co. And arching over all of it, I'm a passionate speaker and writer under the umbrella of Melissa J. Creative. Though each serve their own niche, each enterprises is built with intention to create beautiful things that bring people joy. With a background in broadcast media and communications, I'm is a sought-after keynote speaker with both Melissa J Creative and the Jon Gordon Companies, where I'm a Power of Positive Leadership Certified speaker and trainer. I find purpose in helping people discover and engage their own greatest gifts and I'm on a mission to spread the message of empowerment and growth with a positive mindset.It's my joy to deliver dynamic and electrifying keynotes and trainings where I do my best to engage my audiences with personal stories, a twist of wit, and a warm, approachable spirit that moves people to their own lightbulb moments of understanding. I'm honored to appear pretty frequently on panels presenting on the topics of building phenomenal company culture, women's business ownership, and positive leadership. My genuine desire is to inspire and uplift, leaving people better than I found them. I'm an adoptive parent of a child with significant diagnosed mental health challenges, and love the opportunity to connect with other families parenting foster or adopted children who come from hard places. Engaging that background and my heart for those families, I currently serve on the Volunteers of America Foundation board, the Children's Home Society of SD Programming board, and the Avera Philanthropy Council. Things I love:-Great shoes, red lipstick, and a cocktail (preferably something pink.)-Helping encourage women entrepreneurs.-A Saturday afternoon in the sun on a pontoon.-Hiking tall mountains.-A new notebook and colored pens.-Reading books and listening to podcasts about authentic leadership.-Playing in the back yard with my grandson. I was born and raised in the heart of the Midwest and I'm the blessed mother to four children, three furry dogs, and one disagreeable cat.
Listed skills include Public Speaking, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Leadership Development, and 34 others.
