We were lucky to catch up with Melissa Estepp recently and have shared our conversation below.
Melissa, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Rebuilding Life After Adversity: A Journey of Resilience
I won’t delve into the details of the horrible experience I endured – suffice it to say, it was a nightmare. Perhaps, it’s a story for another time. Instead, I want to focus on what happens when you escape abusive spaces and begin the challenging task of rebuilding your life.
Starting over at 34 is no small feat, especially when you factor in a marriage, a mortgage, three kids, building a business, and having zero dollars to your name. One of the most humiliating experiences I’ve faced was having my car repossessed in the middle of the night. The tow truck showed up, and despite my desperate pleas, they insisted I remove all my personal items. As I pulled the car seat out of that van, I made a vow: my story would not end like this.
Every day since, I’ve fought against all odds, taking one step forward. Sometimes, it feels like an uphill battle, where every step forward is met with two steps back. However, the more steps I take consistently, the more momentum I create. Looking back over the last few years, I can see that I have climbed much higher than it feels in the moment.
Resilience isn’t a one-time fight; it’s a lifelong marathon. It involves strategizing, preparing, getting back up, and putting one foot in front of the other, regardless of the challenges or how I feel. True resilience is about unwavering perseverance. My resilience comes from an unyielding determination to keep trying. Each small victory over little challenges has built my courage to face larger ones and to keep moving forward.
Rebuilding a life after adversity is a journey. It requires relentless effort, self-compassion, and a strong community. With each step, no matter how small, I am crafting a new story – one of strength, growth, and resilience.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Hello, my name is Melissa Estepp. I’m a 40-year-old Colorado native, which I know is quite rare these days. I have a wonderful family of five, including three beautiful kids aged 9, 14, and 17. I love living life to the fullest and trying to laugh as much as possible.
I started my business 6 ½ years ago after spending over 20 years in the event planning and service industry. I’ve done it all, from being a hostess and server to a go-to specialist, bartender, caterer, catering captain, staffing agency worker, wedding planner, kids’ birthday event planner, and PTA volunteer in various roles, including board positions. I’ve worked on small business events, large corporate events, and now specialize in nonprofit event planning. We have an amazing team now, including my Director of Event Operations Michelle Anamier that keeps me and all of our staff on track and moving forward,
Why nonprofit event planning? I spent years working in the nonprofit sector, including running a nonprofit for 10 years. I understand the intricacies of fundraising, the challenges nonprofit leaders face while juggling multiple responsibilities, and the dedication required to help communities. With my background in both nonprofit work and event planning, I’ve developed a unique process focused on mission and fundraising. We guide nonprofits through this process to help them reach their goals.
In our Full Service Non-Profit Event Planning Services- we create long-lasting results through strategic measures that grow events, fundraising dollars, donor retention, and acquisition, delivering year-over-year growth. We help our non-profit clients grow year after year and are proud to announce in a short time we have helped them raise over $4,000,000 dollars in Colorado. We handle various types of fundraising events, including Festivals, Block Parties, Galas /Auctions of all types, 5K races, golf tournaments, and more. Additionally, we offer decor rentals for all event types, including tablecloths. PLUS a amazing photo booth to help your guests connect and build a lasting memory with your organization!
We also offer our registration services and staff designed to ensure a seamless and efficient experience for your guests. We handle everything from user-friendly online registration portals to streamlined check-in processes on the day of your event. Our team takes care of all the details, including ticketing, data management, credit card payments and on-site support, so you can focus on engaging with your attendees and maximizing your event’s impact. Trust us to provide a hassle-free registration experience that leaves a lasting impression.
I’m excited to announce the upcoming launch of “Party in A Tub,” which provides everything needed to create a client appreciation party, employee appreciation event, or any other type of gathering. Each tub comes with several themes, large event decor, games, and instructions on how to transform your space. Best of all, when the event is over, just pack everything back in the tub, and we’ll come pick it up.
Thank you for your support and interest in Premier Events by Melissa!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My Resilience Toolkit
Course Correcting: In the pursuit of my goals and dreams, there are times when my strategies don’t work. It’s crucial to recognize when it’s time to adjust the course and find new ways to achieve my objectives. Flexibility and adaptability are key in overcoming obstacles.
Forgiving Myself: I am often my harshest critic, punishing myself for missing the mark. But I’ve learned the importance of self-forgiveness. Everyone makes mistakes, and I am no exception. Mistakes are opportunities for learning and growth. What truly matters is standing back up and trying again. Each new day brings a fresh start.
Supportive Community: I cannot face life’s challenges alone, so I surround myself with a strong, supportive community. It’s essential to be around people who strive to achieve big things, make a difference, and continuously work on themselves. The saying “you are who you hang out with” resonates deeply with me. My community not only inspires me but also provides a support system when I feel discouraged or off track.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
Who Do We Work With?
At Premier Events by Melissa, we work with all non-profits small or large! We offer them event decor rentals, staffing for events, day of coordination and our registration services to make your guests first impression count as your events and makes check in and out a breeze for your guests.
For our full event non-profit fundraising services our ideal client understands the immense effort required to execute successful fundraising events. They’ve been through the process before and know that managing everything on their own while running an organization can lead to oversights. They recognize the need for a dedicated partner who can handle the complexities of event planning, allowing their team to stay focused on their mission.
Our ideal clients see us as true partners, committed to giving 100% attention to their events. They share our belief that effective communication and a clear understanding of roles are crucial for a successful partnership. They appreciate the importance of fostering community relationships and actively seek sponsorships, knowing that these connections create long-lasting impact for their organization.
We work best with clients who are ready to collaborate closely, showing up fully committed to the process, and who value the strategic approach we bring to make their fundraising events a resounding success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://premiereventsbymelissa.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premiereventsbymelissa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/premiereventsbymelissa/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/premier-events-by-melissa/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
