Meet Melissa A Davis

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Melissa A Davis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Melissa A below.

Hi Melissa A, thank you so much for agreeing to open up about a sensitive and personal topic like being fired or laid-off. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in layoffs recently and so your insight and experience with overcoming being let go is relevant to so many in the community.

Overcoming a layoff was not a single moment for me but a process of unlearning, rebuilding, and reclaiming my power.

I have been laid off 5 times…. Full stop.
So trust me; I know about overcoming.

Early in my career, I internalized layoffs as personal failure. I had done everything I was told would lead to stability. I earned advanced degrees, worked hard, stayed loyal, and delivered results, yet I still found myself impacted by corporate restructuring. After experiencing multiple layoffs, I realized the issue was not my capability but the reality of systems that were never designed to provide long term security.

The turning point came when I stopped viewing layoffs as setbacks and began treating them as information. I documented what worked in my job searches, how I positioned my experience, and how I activated my network with clarity instead of fear. What started as a personal survival strategy eventually became a framework.

Through that process, I learned how to move forward without panic, how to separate my identity from my job title, and how to advocate for myself with intention. I also learned the value of community and the importance of being honest about the emotional toll of career disruption.

Today, I see layoffs as redirection rather than derailment. They pushed me to build a career rooted in strategy, adaptability, and ownership. What once felt like instability became the foundation for clarity, confidence, and long term impact.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

At the core of everything I do is strategy with intention. Through my business Strategies Plus Consulting, I partner with organizations to help them clarify direction, scale initiatives, and execute complex work at the enterprise level. I specialize in bridging vision and execution, particularly in moments of transition, growth, or uncertainty.

What makes my work unique is that it is informed not only by formal training and leadership experience, but by lived experience. Navigating multiple layoffs forced me to understand how systems operate and how individuals can regain agency within them. That perspective allows me to support leaders and teams with empathy, clarity, and practical solutions that actually work.

In parallel, I founded Luxe Connect, a curated community and experience platform designed to bring together high achieving women across industries for meaningful connection, collaboration, and access. Luxe Connect was created to counter isolation and transactional networking by fostering spaces rooted in alignment, generosity, and shared growth.

Right now, I am focused on expanding this work through writing and thought leadership. I am preparing to launch an e book that explores career disruption, reinvention, and building a life and career on your own terms. It brings together the frameworks I developed during my own transitions with the insights I have gained from working with professionals across industries.

What excites me most is helping people move from survival mode to strategy. Whether through consulting, community, or storytelling, my goal is to help others see disruption not as an ending, but as an opportunity to build something more intentional and sustainable.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three qualities have been most impactful in my journey: self awareness, strategic thinking, and resilience.

First is self awareness. Early on, I tied my identity too closely to my job titles and external validation. Developing self awareness helped me understand my strengths, values, and limits independent of any role. My advice to those early in their journey is to invest time in reflection. Pay attention to what energizes you, what drains you, and where you consistently add value. That clarity becomes an anchor during times of change.

Second is strategic thinking. I learned that working hard is not the same as working strategically. Strategy is about seeing patterns, anticipating shifts, and making intentional moves rather than reactive ones. This skill became critical during career transitions and later in building my consulting practice. To develop it, I encourage people to zoom out regularly. Ask not just what you are doing, but why it matters and how it connects to a larger goal.

Finally, resilience has been essential. Experiencing multiple layoffs taught me how to recover without becoming hardened or defeated. Resilience is not about pushing through at all costs, but about adapting, asking for support, and continuing forward with purpose. For those starting out, understand that setbacks are part of growth. What matters most is how quickly you learn, recalibrate, and keep moving.

Together, these qualities allowed me to navigate uncertainty, build confidence, and create a career rooted in intention rather than circumstance.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself that life is going to life. Challenges, disappointments, and heavy seasons are inevitable, especially when you are navigating growth, leadership, and change. What matters most is not avoiding overwhelm, but having tools in place for when it shows up.

For me, support is essential. Therapy has been a meaningful part of how I process, reflect, and stay grounded, and community has been just as important. Having people I can be honest with, who understand my boundaries and respect my capacity, makes a real difference. I have also learned the importance of knowing my triggers and honoring them rather than pushing past them.

Being completely transparent this time of year can be especially tough for me. Seasonal depression is real, and combined with unmet expectations or personal disappointments, things can feel heavy and emotionally exhausting. In those moments, I prioritize rest without guilt. I slow down, protect my energy, and give myself permission to pause rather than power through in unhealthy ways.

I have also learned not to be afraid to ask for help. Strength does not come from doing everything alone. It comes from recognizing when you need support and allowing yourself to receive it. My best advice is to put provisions in place before being overwhelmed hits. Build routines, relationships, and practices that support your mental health so that when things feel heavy, you already know where to go and how to access what you need to maintain balance.

Being overwhelmed does not mean you are failing. It means you are human. With the right tools and support, it is possible to move through hard seasons with grace, resilience, and intention.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.luxeconnect.co
• Instagram: @madfabstyle
• Linkedin: https://LinkedIn.com/in/madavis01