Meet Melissa Monge

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melissa Monge. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Melissa with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I believe it was instilled in me from when I was child and in my early teens. My parents never handed anything out. You had to work for it. I watched them as I was growing up, My mother owned a small business and my father went to work everyday for a corporation. At age 13 I began to work but not only did I work just one job I worked multiple jobs. I loved working hard, making money, saving it and buying what I wanted.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am co owner of Sea Love where we invite guests to slow down, get creative, and connect through the scent blending with candles and diffusers. With locations in Savannah, GA and Hilton Head, SC, we offer a unique, hands-on experience where visitors blend their own custom-scented candles from over 100 fragrance options — all in a beautiful, coastal-inspired setting.

What makes Sea Love so special is the experience itself. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, planning a bachelorette party, enjoying a girls’ night out, or simply looking for a fun and relaxing activity, Sea Love is designed to spark joy, creativity, and connection. We believe scent is deeply personal and nostalgic, and we love helping our guests craft candles that carry their own stories and memories.

We also offer a curated boutique filled with coastal-inspired gifts, home décor, and self-care items that pair beautifully with our candle-making experience.

Exciting news: Follow us to see our monthly events and promos but some things you will find this summer are-
Monday’s are for Mom’s and their Mini- Children 12 and under will receive 50% off a small candle making with one adult experience.
Wick It Wednesdays: Bring your vessel back and remake a candle and receive $10 off
Bachelorette & Group Packages: Bridal parties of 5+ get 10% off, and the bride gets 50% off, complete with squad sashes and photo ops!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been:

Resilience – Building and growing a business comes with highs and lows. Being able to push through challenges, learn from setbacks, and stay focused on the bigger vision has been essential.

Creativity with Purpose – Especially in a hands-on, experience-driven business like Sea Love, creativity isn’t just about making things pretty — it’s about creating meaningful connections and lasting impressions for every guest.

Adaptability – From staffing and scheduling to marketing trends and seasonal demands, staying flexible and open to change has helped me grow personally and professionally.

Advice for those just starting out:

Start small, but stay consistent. Every action builds momentum.
Listen to feedback — from customers, mentors, and even yourself. It will shape your growth if you’re willing to hear it.
Invest in learning. Whether it’s branding, social media, or operations, the more you understand the moving pieces, the more confidently you can lead.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

One of the most impactful things my parents did for me was instill a strong work ethic and a sense of independence from an early age. They didn’t hand things to me — they encouraged me to figure things out, try new things, and keep going even when it got hard. That mindset has been a constant anchor in my journey as a business owner. Watching them work hard and stay committed to their values taught me that success isn’t instant — it’s earned with consistency, integrity, and resilience.

Contact Info:

• Website: sealove.com/savannah or sealovehiltonhead.com
• Instagram: sealovehiltonhead or sealovesavannah
• Facebook: sealovehiltonhead or sealovesavannah
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-monge-9a5a694/
• Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/biz_info/0cM07G8D9PMK_9VAoc7rfA or https://www.yelp.com/biz/sea-love-hilton-head-island

Image Credits

Brittany Collins Photography
Marissa Elise Photography