Speaking

I’ve been told for years that I share great stories.  This is more than me sharing “just another story”.  I share a story with purpose and inspiration that gives the audience actionable steps to make a change in their life. I love sharing my story to motivate and inspire others to take the necessary steps to pursue their dreams! I can speak to a variety of groups including Businesses, High School, Bible Study, Churches or Conferences.

The theme of my speeches follow this structure:    Inspiration + Motivation = Action

Topics include but are not limited to:

Overcoming the Challenges of Change
Life Lessons from Pursuing a Dream
How a Documentary Determined My Focus
The Entrepreneurial Mindset
Time management
Money management

Faith-based related topics:
To Give or Not To Give
Let go, let God

 

Overcoming the Challenges of Change  

Excuses have a great way of ruining our dreams. They take hold and won’t let go. They imprison us.
So free yourself from setbacks with the tactics you need to succeed:

• choose people to help you achieve your dreams
• have faith
• act with consistency
• give your time, money, and knowledge
• engage in the community

If your dreams are still just a wish, it’s time to shape them into reality.  Are you ready to take action? One of the greatest ways I can help other people is by sharing my intellectual knowledge and personal story with others.  In 2009, I made one decision and then ACTED on that decision to make a change.  This change totally changed the course my life has taken over the last five years.  By sharing specific, actionable steps with examples from my own journey through change, the audience will leave inspired and empowered to make changes in their life, too.

Testimonial: “Melissa spoke to a ‘Coffee with the Girls’ local Chamber of Commerce meeting recently.  She was well-prepared and presented effectively, and with humor.  The best part was how her passion for helping others just shines right through when she speaks.”
Karen Anderson, Global Online Entrepreneur

Life Lessons from Pursuing a Dream. 

I’ve spent more years of my life with a dream than without one.  I’ve learned some very valuable life lessons along the way.  Lessons that have helped me succeed, not only in the pursuit of my dream, but in other areas of my life.   The stories about how those lessons came about and the lessons involved can be tailored to the audience.

Testimonial: “I have had the opportunity to attend a group meeting at which Melissa The Coach was the presenter.  The information that was shared was very timely and of great use to those attendees seeking financial clarification and help with debt management.  Having encountered Melissa The Coach in other settings, I am always impressed with her professionalism and the passion she conveys with regards to helping her clients achieve their goals.”
Veronica Burnish, Senior Partner, www.burnishop.com

 

Southport/Oak Island Chamber of Commerce: Coffee with the Girls
Topic: How a Documentary Determined my Focus for 2017

Launch Out Conference, Tulsa Oklahoma
“The Impact of Sharing your Story” (AKA I’m an Author!)

 

Launch Out Conference: Nashville, TN
“You Have the Power”: How to Follow your Dreams and Passions

Photo Credit: David Bouchard

 

Testimonials:

“Your speech was so good! I had to go to the restroom during it but I had to wait until you were finished.”  Conference attendee, Launch Out Conference

“Melissa has a great story of achievement, of pursuit, of setting goals, and changing your situation. From Doc Martens to Elton John concerts, her story is impactful.” Jerrod Murr, Founder of Paradigm Shift.

“When I saw Melissa speak, I knew she was doing what she was meant to do. She captured my attention, and more importantly, kept it. One of the things I like most about watching Melissa is seeing what a natural she is. She is a talented speaker, and I thoroughly enjoyed her presentation.”
Carla Musarra-Leonard, Owner of La Bella Coppia.

“Melissa’s energy and passion are contagious. Her stories are fun and packed with practical truth to help you achieve your goals.” —Matt Ham, Speaker, Radio Host, Cofounder of YouPrint

Melissa goes beyond motivation. She provides the tools to change your behavior. She has what we need today. Everyone needs to be more intentional with their money, but not everyone can provide a clear path. Her humor, combined with a laser focus on topic, make her a force you will want to experience. – Kin Thompson, University Professor

“Melissa is always inspirational, entertaining and concise. We know that when Melissa presents to our groups they will leave with a positive message and tangible action to take.”
Karen Sphar, Executive Vice President Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce

“You were great Melissa. Clear, Precise, detailed but not to a point of distraction or bog you down. Good job and you’ll do great at whatever you set your mind to. I’ll be watching you and your success!!!
Jackie Cooper, Cooper Electric

” I have watched Melissa grow into an extraordinary speaker over the past couple of years.  Her passion, her dreams, her concern for helping others make their way to financial independence is inspiring.  But the most admirable thing she does, I think, is her dedication to helping young people understand money matters and how to plan for their future.  What more important thing could there be than a high school kid learning how to balance a checkbook or create a budget before he or she ever has to tackle an independent lifestyle or college loans? ”    Karen Swenson, Aflac.

Melissa delivers and then some!  Her facilitation skills are first-rate with a blend of humor, receptiveness, and guidance to capture the interest of the audience and focus on the topic at hand. Melissa interacted with the group prior to her presentation and was able to get a good feel for what we needed, not using a canned message. She brings real life experiences to her presentations and holds the attendees’ attention throughout. Melissa’s experience and expertise make her an excellent speaker.
Betsy Kimmel, owner, Laugh and Breathe Yoga.

 

 

 

Speakers Bio:

Melissa is a is a wife, mom, dog rescuer, and entrepreneur. She has the distinction of being the only person in her family to attend Catholic School from Kindergarten all the way through College. Melissa has spent more years of her life WITH a dream than without one and is passionate about helping others overcome the financial obstacles to pursuing their dreams.

In late 2009, Melissa and her husband decided to “get better with money” by getting out of debt. Melissa decided that her #1 reason to become debt free was to have money to go to Elton John concerts and fulfill her dream of meeting him in person. On her 40th birthday, the last payment to Sallie Mae was made and in total, $43,544 of consumer debt was GONE in less than 4 years! Money no longer stands in the way of pursuing her dream!

Turns out, Melissa is pretty good at this budgeting stuff and in 2012 she became the owner/founder of Melissa the Coach.  Melissa published her first book, “Building My Yellow Brick Road: Life Lessons from Pursuing a Dream” in 2017.  

 

 

Past clients include: 
Southport/Oak Island Chamber of Commerce Business Connections
Southport Junior Women’s League
Launch Out Conference, Atlanta, GA
Launch Out Conference, Tulsa, OK.
Launch Out Conference, Nashville, TN
Trinity United Methodist Church (sharing my FPU Testimony)
Ocean View United Methodist Church (sharing my FPU Testimony)
Ashley High School CTE class
Southport Rotary (speaking on behalf of Canines for Service)
K&M Masterminds (Time management for the busy Entrepreneur)
K&M Women Empowering Women
Trinity United Methodist Church (presentation on time and money management)
Women In Networking, Leland Chapter

Member of the Wilmington Toastmasters since 2017

 

For pricing and availability, email MelissatheCoach@gmail.com