We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Opie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
Showing my child that suffering is optional (by way of my actions) is the most important thing that I could have done to break the unhealthy generational patterns that have been passed down. I grew up with this belief that being a martyr was the noble thing to do. Put yourself last. You aren’t special. Don’t say anything. Suffer in silence. Don’t be a burden. Just tolerate it. Prove yourself worthy by how much you are suffering, but without letting anyone know that you are suffering. So many lies. My grandmother had a very difficult life and passed on the narrative to my mother because that’s what my grandmother knew, and because that’s what my mother knew, it was engrained in me from a young age too. Doing the inner work to undo and unlearn these patterns that have been passed down, and in choosing to recognize, reflect, and make different choices (even when it’s hard or uncomfortable), is the most important thing I can do as a parent.

What should our readers know about your business?
I started my first business when I was 15 years old, and that business is still running today! Even though that business is in a totally different niche and is an entirely different business model that the current business I operate, I have always been fascinated with running businesses. I remember sitting in school when I was 10 years old, just day-dreaming and coming up with idea after idea for businesses I wanted to start, wishing I was older so that I could actually make something happen. In my early 20s, I tried working for other people and quickly realized that I make a terrible employee, not for any other reason than because I simply couldn’t stop thinking about the business as a whole and all the ways in which it could run better, smoother, and more efficiently. By working for someone else, I felt drained, like I was only utilizing a small part of myself, and I knew that there was a better way, but I had a lot of fears and limiting beliefs blocking me so it took some time before I actually started the business of my dreams. When I finally jumped in and started my life coaching business in 2014, I was met with so much backlash from my family and friends – the very people who were supposed to cheer me on – that it was actually heartbreaking. Now, looking back, I see that they didn’t know any better, so I don’t blame them, but the difficult truth that I had to come to terms with was the fact that my life was my responsibility, not theirs, and I needed to do the work that I was born to do regardless of their approval. So, no, it wasn’t easy, and there’s a lot more that I learned that I don’t have the space to write out here, but ultimately, everything I did, I trusted in my vision of changing the world for the better. Beyond the lives that changed from the private coaching work, my online business employs people who want to be employed. I love paying people to work within their strengths, and I love creating jobs, because that means that I’m changing the lives of their loved ones too. A true ethical business that makes the world a better place is magical! My business is for coaches, bloggers, online business owners, and influencers who want to spend more time doing what they can’t stop thinking about, and less time doing the things that aren’t profitable. I believe that these world-changers just need the right tools and the right guidance to make a big difference in their lives (and their bank accounts) while simultaneously impacting the lives of their customers, and ultimately, the world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I moved recently, so I have yet to explore the area properly! But I am an introvert so I know for a fact that coffee shops are my go-to no matter where in the world I am. Anything that involves coffee, tea, baked goods, and comfortable nooks for deep conversations and reading … *sigh*… I also love eating out (or getting takeout!) so I think the itinerary would involve some great local restaurants, and lots of cozy cafes, definitely a local bookstore, in addition to some nature walks and outdoorsy things for the kids 🙂 The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be where I am without the love and support of my friend Amber Chalus. Without her, my life would be in a very different place so I’m dedicating this to her!

Website: https://melissaopie.com

Image Credits
Heart Take The Wheel Covered In Scarlet Photography

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