Melanie Alston shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Melanie , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Before talking about what my days look like now, I think it helps to share what keeps me grounded in the process. Fushionz started with a simple need, wanting relief from the exhaustion that comes with being on your feet all day. That personal experience turned into a mission to help others feel the same kind of comfort and support.
These days, my life is all about finding balance and staying focused on what matters most. My schedule is packed, so I’ve learned to be intentional with my time. Most days I’m on the go, meeting people, building connections, and finding creative ways to share what Fushionz is all about. That might mean reaching out to people who could one day become collaborators, preparing for upcoming events, or handling the many details that come with running a growing brand.
There are definitely days when I feel the fatigue that comes with the grind. Some days I run on very little sleep, sometimes just four hours, but that’s part of the process right now. I try to pace myself and protect my energy. Every day looks a little different. Some days start early and end late. I take pride in knowing that the work I’m putting in now is helping build something that will make a real difference for people who spend long hours on their feet.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Melanie Alston, the founder and inventor of Fushionz, a comfort driven footwear brand built around my patented gel technology. Fushionz is designed to support people who are constantly on their feet by blending the feel of hosiery with the function of footwear. It’s comfort you can live in, whether you’re working, traveling, or just getting through a long day.
The idea came from my own need for relief from foot pain and exhaustion, and that personal challenge became the reason behind the brand. I’m continuing to grow Fushionz step by step, meeting new people, and sharing a product that I believe can really help people move through life with more comfort and confidence.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I think what breaks the bonds between people is when we forget how much we actually need each other. Sometimes people get caught up in judgment, comparison, or negativity, and it ends up tearing others down instead of building them up. When someone feels dismissed or seen only for one part of who they are, it can take away their confidence and their sense of purpose.
What restores those bonds is empathy and encouragement. We all go through hard times, but choosing to be kind, to motivate someone, or simply remind them that they matter can change everything. I believe community is built through those small moments, the times when we lift each other instead of competing or criticizing. It is not always easy, but staying connected through understanding and support is what keeps people going, especially during the tougher seasons of life.
For me, that sense of support and encouragement is also a big part of what I’m building with Fushionz. It is about comfort in every sense of the word, not just physical comfort but emotional connection too. I want people to feel supported, encouraged, and reminded that they deserve to move through life with confidence and care.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has a way of showing you who and what truly matters. It taught me the value of having the right people around me, even if it is just one person, and building upon that after a genuine connection is established. The ones who remind you to keep going when everything feels like it is falling apart. Sometimes it is not the big moments that keep you moving, it is the small ones. A quick phone call, a kind word, or a story from someone who has been through it can give you that spark of energy to keep pushing forward.
It also taught me how powerful genuine connections really are. The people who check in, share ideas, or simply believe in you when you are running on empty, those are the ones who make the journey possible. The encouragement, the networking groups, the conversations that happen in real life, all of it has a way of pulling you back up when you start to lose faith.
Success can be loud, but those quiet moments of support and friendship have meant more to me than anything else. They remind me that strength is not always about doing everything alone. It is about being surrounded by the right people who help you see light when things feel impossible.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I would say yes, the public version of me is the real me. I am who I am. I do not let people in easily, but once you are in, it usually means that trust was earned on both sides. What you see in public is the same person you might meet on the phone, on an airplane, or as a friend in everyday life.
I try to keep things genuine. Whether I am encouraging someone, making a new connection, or helping a stranger who needs a hand, it all comes from the same place. None of it is performance. It is real life, day to day, genuine stuff.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think what people might sometimes misunderstand about my journey is that building something new is not about dissatisfaction, it is about growth and purpose. For me, creating has always been a way to bring a vision to life, to keep learning, and to show resilience through action. I believe the process of building and adding something meaningful to your story can inspire others to keep going, even when things feel uncertain.
There is so much uncertainty in the world right now. People are facing sudden changes and unexpected endings that can completely shift their lives. Putting your heart into something takes courage, but staying innovative and creative helps us move through those difficult times and discover new possibilities.
Fushionz grew out of that same mindset. It began as one idea to bring more comfort and confidence into people’s daily lives and has become a reflection of purpose, persistence, and the belief that what you create can make a difference.
Everything I have done so far has felt like lifting brick by brick and carrying heavy loads. It has not been easy, but even in the difficult times, it has given me perspective and a kind of confidence that comfort never could. Learning how to navigate through tough times is an important skill, because it adds a level of pressure you do not normally feel when things are comfortable. I will always appreciate the people in my life who have pushed through the hardest times, not just the easy ones. The hard days have taught me to keep building, to keep moving, and to trust that every step forward is still progress, even when it feels slow.
Some of the photos you’ll see are from the early stages of this journey, when I was still searching for the right factory to bring Fushionz to life. Others show where that persistence has led.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fushionz.com
- Instagram: Fushionz_hosiery
- Linkedin: Melanie Y. Alston
- Facebook: Fushionz
- Youtube: Fushionz
Image Credits
Melanie Y. Alston
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