Meet Melissa Kreis-Stephens

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

Melissa , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

From the beginning of Tomboy, we built the room. We didn’t know we were building the room, but that is what happened. We learned to be effective by doing 3 things really well: making products people want that give them healthier skin, over the top customer service and our relentless optimistic drive!

We attract customers who are like us; free-thinking, adventurous, athletic, bold, wild, optimistic, busy, happy, in love with life! They want real products for real life. The cool thing about our room is that it has been filling up with these incredible customers who rally around us. It feels like we are standing in the middle of our forest, and our customers are jumping and cheering around us! It is the best feeling in the world. It is emotional and beautiful. Thanks to them, our room is getting bigger.

We treat our people well, really well. And we are extremely responsive and communicative. That is a big deal in today’s pre-recorded society. We curated this incredible personal customer service because that is what we want from a company. You can reach us by phone, we respond asap to questions and orders. One of my favorite things to do is hit that shipped button almost immediately after the order is placed. I love that!

I like being the outlier, the maverick, the risk-taker! There is a fire inside of me that is palpable. Most days it feels like a vibration! Seriously! No matter the obstacles, I am still in a relentless pursuit of building this business. Just ask my children!

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

If you haven’t heard about Tomboy, it is a small, Appalachia-based organic skincare company on the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee. 2025 marks 21 years in business. Raising the bar in organic skincare, we sustainably source wild ingredients that mimic your skin’s natural factors, nourish the microbiome and restore your connection to the Earth!

I am Melissa, the founder of Tomboy. I still run the day to day operations including formulating, packaging and marketing Tomboy. We are also in the process of finishing the Forest Formulary and adjacent Woodland Spa in our hometown of Deer Lodge, Tennessee.

We are beyond excited to announce that Tomboy is on the shelf at San Juan Sports in Creede, Colorado. This marks Tomboy’s first store OUTSIDE of Appalachia!!!

If you know of a store in your area that might be a good fit, contact Melissa at info@tomboyskincare.com. You can always purchase online at tomboyskincare.com.

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?

My 3 best skills:
1. Wildlife Biologist-I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries Science from the University of Tennessee @ Knoxville. Plus, additional education in Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology and Environmental Science.
2. Knowledge of Plant Chemistry
3. Good communicator/writer
4. Being a Tomboy!

I also worked my way through college at United Parcel Service (UPS)! So, I know the shipping story! This is why your package looks like it came from Fort Knox!

My advice, I think we are all naturally drawn to what we should do. However, passion does not always translate to putting food on the table. Make a business plan, improve the skills you are worst at and do not give up.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer and Atomic Habits by James Clear.

Robin’s Braiding Sweetgrass is probably the most beautifully written book I have ever read. It speaks to me. Appreciating the gifts of the Earth is foremost in my mind when collecting herbs for Tomboy. She tells a story of the Native tribes and how they harvest salmon. After they have cleaned the first fish, they carefully set its body back in the water, head up stream so that it’s spirit can follow the rest of the salmon on the salmon run. Beautiful!

and James teaches you that your habits are you.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Somer Stephens, Max & Beau Photography

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