Melissa found her calling when she discovered the therapeutic effects of growing, managing, and building plant combinations. She then compounded that passion by creating a business built around creating the same love of passion for her customers.
And she is thriving as an entrepreneur because of it.
But her desire to grow and expand her business is not focused just on the financial benefits of owning a successful business, it is in large part due to the emotional and mental health benefits of working with plants.
As a victim of trauma, improving mental health is of paramount importance to staying fit mentally, physically, and spiritually for Melissa.
“I found a really healthy outlet, walking through nurseries, creating plant combos for the neighbors and people just to put a smile on their face,” Melissa said. “Three years later here I am with my third store and I’m very excited for myself.”
But Melissa isn’t stopping anytime soon. She wants more.
“It’s kind of ironic because I suffer from imposter syndrome where I’m not completely proud with what I’ve done. I’m thirsty for more, I want more. I want to do more,” she said.
Part of her business is to put together plant combinations for her clients. It’s one of her favorite parts of the business because she understands how it brings them joy.
“Loving them [the plants] back really gives them a boost of that little extra self-confidence that they need, or that little self-love that they’ve kind of been lacking in other aspects of their life,” Melissa said.
Melissa was a victim of trauma during her childhood years. The topic of mental health is near and dear to her heart, and she incorporates that in everything she does. It’s all a part of how she maintains a healthy balance as an adult.
But she readily admits to having dark thoughts.
“Just hitting a wall for myself personally and just being like… having intrusive thoughts, things that I would never ever think of. And I thought ‘What’s wrong with me? What am I doing wrong?’” she said.
She continued, “I think people have hit those suicidal thoughts, they have to hit those intrusive thoughts. Or people that suffer from PTSD or post-partum depression after having a baby. It takes people hitting their walls to be like ‘I need help… to feel comfortable to ask for help.’”
Another formula to Melissa’s success is to know how to deal with certain people. She is very active on social media and has learned to ignore negative people – a great piece of general advice.
“I think just the lifestyle that I have and the positive mental health that I have is what keeps me youthful,” she said.
Now she wants to offer advice for other women to emulate.
“I would love for women to take away the fact that they are very strong and them loving themselves gives them the power to be able to do anything that they want,” Melissa said. “Ladies, if you want to start your own business, just put one foot in front of the other. There are going to be some days where you take a few steps back. But try not to be discouraged. One deep breath at a time; consistency is the key.”
To learn more about Plants by Yours Truly go to their website, www.Plantsbyyourstruly.com, and follow her on Instagram @plantsbyyourstruly to check out some stunning plant configurations.
Who is Trudy Jacobson?
Trudy is an entrepreneur and leader. Her path to success and entrepreneurialism started in the trucking industry decades ago. She encountered numerous obstacles in the male-dominated industry- like discrimination. She was even conned out of a lot of money in a fraudulent scheme. Despite all that, Trudy always fought hard and pushed forward. Once she realized she was capable of anything, she went on to start her own company and excelled. Now she empowers other women to do the same and to learn from her experience. Trudy now highlights their stories for the world to see in the Great American Women Series. Trudy wants women everywhere to know they can achieve their goals.
