Interview with Melody Sheard, Founder of The Meleshe Group
Melody L Sheard is The Meleshe Group LLC based in Hampton, VA. The Meleshe Group LLC is a holding company for her luxury handbag line called Ennovel, an investment company named Royalty’s Heir, and her personal brand M. Levonne & Co. She is a certified life coach providing online group coaching for single women who have faced domestic abuse. Melody teaches how them how to take their power back from limiting beliefs of domestic and often times an emotional abuse.
For more details, visit their website here.
Here we sit down with Melody, to know a bit more about her journey as a life coach.
Q. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
Melody: I read a book back in 1994 or 1995 called Joy by Victoria Christopher Murray. It was about a woman, a black woman who owned her own business. I was so intrigued by the fact that this woman of color had a successful business and she was working for herself. It was at that moment, I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur.
Q. How did you get started?
Melody: Well, it took a while. For one, my grandmother didn’t believe in being an entrepreneur. I was the oldest grandchild, so I had to go to school, get a good job and retire. I don’t really remember when I got started. I dabbled in networking marketing a few times which isn’t true business ownership in my opinion but it was a start. I have a very diverse background from insurance claims to case management to my current job as a Sr Eligibility Worker, so I kept a day job. After failing in those companies and working, I launched The Meleshe Group in 2014 but didn’t know what to do with it. I got certified as a life coach in 2019 but still nothing. It wasn’t until I wrote my most recent book, that the light bulb went out and it all made sense on what I should do.
Q. What was your biggest startup challenge? What steps did you take to overcome it? What did you learn?
Melody: My biggest startup challenge was not getting help and having the proper mindset. What I mean by that is not hiring a business coach or investing in myself (courses, seminars, certifications, etc). We often get into our own heads and doubt if we can do it. We don’t realize that all it takes is for you to change your mind. The steps I took for one, was I hired a business coach, someone who I had followed for years and knew they would be a good fit to work with and point in the right direction. I also make sure to schedule time each day to read for 30 minutes to work on my personal development which in turn has and will help me to develop the proper mindset. What I learned is it’s okay to start over again. We all sometimes need to have a restart from time to time.
Q. What is the Most Memorable Thing You’ve Done Since you Started your Business?
Melody: The most memorable thing I have done is write a book. I have always wanted to be an author. A high school friend of mine, her name is Taurea Avant is an amazing book coach, I have been following her journey since high school. She has been putting together some amazing book collaboration projects and she posted about doing one about abuse. I was hesitant at first because I had never shared my story openly. 12 of us signed up to be a part of the project, over the course of 6 months, we worked on our book together and it was just released in February 2022.
Q. What is one book you recommend, and why?
Melody: I only get one, well besides the bible, I would say Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. In this book, Mr. Hill talks about principles that we call can apply to not only our jobs/careers but to everyday life and it’s not always focused on money because it was practice what is taught in the book, we will have all the riches our heart desires.
Q. What are your top 3 favourite online apps, tools, or resources and what do you love about them?
Melody: My top 3 favorite online apps are Canva, Telegram, and Square. Canva for obvious reasons, but for those you are a little design challenge like myself. Telegram, being able to commute with a team. Last but not least is Square, the ability to make a payment on the spot, send an invoice and so much more.
Q. In terms of legacy, what is the mark you’d like to leave on the world?
Melody: This is deep, I hadn’t thought out it until now. I would say, the legacy I want to leave is servitude. Melody served God and his people as he intended her to by being there to encourage, serve without complaining, and having compassion for all who were hurting. That’s my legacy.
Q. In one sentence, what’s the best advice you’d give to someone just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey?
Melody: My best advice is taken from the movie Finding Nemo, just keep swimming, keep going, and most of all pray.
To keep up to date with Melody and her journey, connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.
