Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melanie Aaron. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Melanie, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
I have always had the ability to see the positive in any situation. Even as a young child, I developed a sense that all would be OK, no matter what was happening around me. For many years, I struggled with finding my true identity and the deep inner sense of self. I used alcohol and sex to transport me to places outside of myself and out of my crazy mind. When that stopped working and reality hit, I had no choice but to go within, digging deep into my soul, to find peace. For me, peace is what allows me to be optimistic, to be cheerful, positive, and hopeful. When At 39, I was experiencing significant female health issues. The doctors chalked it up to endometriosis – a result of the careless life I had lived up to that point. When a hysterectomy was the only solution, they found cancer in the uterine lining. No biggie, right? Because of my age, the surgeon left my ovaries, and 15 months later, a golf ball size tumor popped up in my right breast. Just nine days after a breast cancer diagnosis, my father died unexpectedly. Where do you find the bright side of this? Through the journey, I made the most wonderful friends, developed a broader sense of humor, and most importantly, found my strength. I was able to take chances with life that I never dreamed were possible. I sold my business and moved to California. My dreams were coming true, however there were many nightmares I had to face. Relationship issues, money challenges, career fails, but all were just lessons to bolster that strength within me. And that strength creates confidence, which in turn gives me that sense of hope that all is in Divine order. Don’t get me wrong, I still fall into fear and anxiety, but it doesn’t last as long. I have tools today that I’ve sharpened along the entire journey that assist me in going inward where peace and hope reside. When those feelings of defeat and despair come up, I just ride the wave. I know that challenges are for good reason – to toughen me up and not let that wave overtake me, but rather to accept the ebb and flow, because that is life.
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?
As a Marketing Director in the senior living industry, I help seniors love life again. When asked what drives me – or my “WHY” – I have to say that it is taking a senior out of isolation and showing them that life can still be wonderful no matter your age. Many seniors want to stay in their homes for as long as possible, but at what cost? Isolation is the number one risk for people as they age – it leads to depression which turns into poor health. Once they realize that senior living communities are like living on a cruise ship that never sails, they love it! Who doesn’t want someone to cook and clean and cater to their every whim? It warms my heart when a senior moves in and starts making friends, enjoying the activities and amenities, and even gains that “freshman 15”.
Though I love what I do in senior living, my other passion is voice over work. I have been doing this as a side hustle for the last few years. During the pandemic, I was bored and decided to take some voice over training, and it has proven to be a lucrative hobby. My work currently focuses on corporate services and commercials, but I would love to break into character work or video games.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
As I look back over my career, I see that there were distinct qualities that have helped me grow. The first is perseverance. No matter what, don’t give up. If it is your passion, go for it. Don’t let anyone else’s fear become your reality. The second quality is really a skill, and that is networking. Don’t be afraid to get to know people in your industry, and more importantly, don’t hesitate to ask for help. This help can be mentorship, reciprocal referrals, or even asking for an internship. People want to help you, so help yourself by getting out there and letting them know what you have to offer. Lastly, I would say that marketing yourself is invaluable. Many of us do not like selling anything, especially our own products or services, however it is so important. Be confident in who you are and what you offer. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
There have been so many people who have been instrumental in me becoming who I am today, not just professionally, but also who I am in the world. It’s funny to say, but one of those people was an aunt who was always criticizing me and telling me I would never amount to anything. Her words stuck in my head for years, grinding away at my self confidence, but one day I realized that I wanted to prove her wrong, so I started thanking her (in my head) for giving me the drive to be so much more than I thought I could be. It has given me a strong desire to be just the opposite for other people – striving to see the positive and building that up in others rather than seeing the shortcomings.
Another person that was an influence in my life was a former boss who truly was my mentor. Mike was a brilliant man with an incredible business sense. He taught me a lot about financials, about real estate, about growing a business. He gave me my first business venture by partnering with me and then turning the business over to me. When I struggled, he was there to lend his wisdom, yet he also let me fail a few times to truly learn. Many years after growing and selling my company, Mike developed Alzheimer’s and passed away. This is also one of the reasons that I strive so hard in my current career to serve people with dementia and their families.
The most important person in helping me overcome challenges in both my personal and professional lives is my mother. She was the most courageous person I have ever known. Stricken with Parkinson’s Disease in her early forties, she lived with this debilitating disease for over forty years until her death in 2012. She did not like people to see her as disabled or struggling, so she always had a positive attitude. She loved to look well dressed and couldn’t leave the house without her makeup (this apple didn’t fall far from the tree). She went through so many experimental procedures, medications, and clinical trials that most people would never have survived. She is truly my angel and my hero. I will always be her biggest fan and carry on her legacy of strength.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.melaniesvoice.com
- Instagram: melanievoiceactor
- Facebook: facebook.com/melanie.aaron.92
- Linkedin: linkedin/in/melanieaaron
- Twitter: @Melanies_Voice
