We were lucky to catch up with Melissa Green recently and have shared our conversation below.
Melissa, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
As a Navy Veteran and Military Spouse, my resilience stems from a combination of personal experiences, the camaraderie of the military community, and the values instilled during my service. The challenges faced in the military, both as a service member and a spouse, have taught me the importance of adaptability, perseverance, and finding strength in adversity.
The military lifestyle often requires frequent relocations, deployments, and facing uncertainties. Through these experiences, I’ve learned to embrace change, stay flexible, and focus on the positive aspects of each situation. The support and understanding within the military community, especially among fellow spouses, have been crucial in navigating the unique challenges that come with this lifestyle.
My time in the Navy has instilled in me a sense of discipline, teamwork, and a commitment to a mission. These values continue to guide me in facing life’s challenges with determination and a solution-oriented mindset.
Moreover, being a Military Spouse has added another layer to my resilience. It involves adapting to new environments, forming connections quickly, and maintaining a sense of community despite frequent moves. The shared experiences and bonds formed within the military spouse community contribute significantly to my ability to bounce back from difficulties.
My resilience is a product of the lessons learned during my military service, the support from the military community, and the continuous adaptation required in the dynamic military lifestyle.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Melissa Green: Coffee Queen with a Cause (and a Day Job!) ☕️
By day, Melissa Green navigates the corporate beanfields as an HR Generalist, wrangling benefits packages and smoothing out workplace wrinkles. But by night, or rather by roast, she transforms into Melissa Green, Coffee-Fueled Community Queen!
Melissa’s not your average barista, she’s the Founder & CEO of Grounds4Cause, a “Roast to Table” empire crafting two soul-sipping coffee brands with a conscience: Southern, Sweet & Sassy®️ Coffee for military families and Rise Above Coffee®️ for the LGBTQ+ community. ️
These aren’t just cups of joe, they’re #coffeeforacause! Each sip fuels a donation to a non-profit supporting these amazing communities. And Melissa doesn’t stop there. Her social media is a megaphone, amplifying voices and spreading awareness like wildfire.
But Melissa’s not just a CEO, she’s a Milspousepreneur and a Mompreneur. Juggling three teenagers and one young adult with bundles of energy, a Navy retiree husband, and a menagerie of fur babies, she still finds time to rock the coffee world with her unique coffee and contagious passion.
So, next time you reach for a cup, remember, that it can be more than just a caffeine fix. It can be a sip of support, a community hug, and a small step towards a world that’s a little sweeter, a little bolder, one roast at a time.
Want to know more? Follow Melissa’s Coffee Crusade on:
Website: https://grounds4cause.com
Instagram: @S3CoffeeCo | @RiseAboveCoffee
Facebook: @S3CoffeeCo | @RiseAboveCoffee
Let’s get caffeinated for a cause! ☕️
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Reflecting on my journey, three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my pursuit of dreams were:
Adaptability: The ability to adapt to changing circumstances, whether in the military or while pursuing personal goals, has been essential. It allowed me to navigate uncertainties, embrace new opportunities, and adjust my plans as needed. Cultivate a mindset of flexibility. Embrace change as an opportunity for growth rather than a challenge. Seek experiences that take you out of your comfort zone, as they often provide the best lessons in adaptability.
Resilience: Resilience helped me bounce back from setbacks, whether they were military-related or personal. It’s a key trait for overcoming obstacles, staying focused on long-term goals, and persevering through difficult times. Build resilience by viewing challenges as temporary and surmountable. Focus on learning from setbacks rather than dwelling on them. Surround yourself with a supportive network to encourage you during challenging times.
Courage and Risk-Taking: Pursuing dreams often involves taking risks and stepping into the unknown. Having the courage to pursue unconventional paths and take calculated risks is fundamental to achieving personal and professional growth. Embrace discomfort and be willing to take calculated risks. Recognize that failure is a part of the journey and a valuable learning experience. Seek out mentors or role models who have taken risks and learn from their experiences.
Advice for those early in their journey:
Embrace Continuous Learning: Never stop learning. Invest time in acquiring new skills, staying informed about industry trends, and seeking knowledge that aligns with your goals. Attend workshops, take online courses, and read widely.
Build a Strong Support System: Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and friends who inspire and support you. Their guidance and encouragement can make a significant difference during challenging times.
Be Open to Change: Stay open-minded and adaptable. The ability to pivot when needed can lead to unexpected opportunities. Don’t be afraid to reassess and adjust your goals as you gain new insights and experiences.
Network and Seek Mentors: Connect with professionals in your field of interest. Seek out mentors who can provide guidance based on their experiences. Networking can open doors to opportunities and offer valuable advice.
Take Calculated Risks: Understand the difference between reckless behavior and calculated risks. Taking risks is often necessary for growth, but it’s crucial to weigh the potential benefits against the possible downsides.
Remember that the journey is as important as the destination. Stay persistent, stay true to your dreams, and be willing to evolve along the way.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
Certainly, the particular challenge I’m currently facing is the aftermath of a series of setbacks that began with being laid off while attending a Military Influencer Conference in 2022. This unexpected turn of events led to an eight-month struggle to secure alternative employment, plunging me into a personal financial crisis and forcing me to defer my dreams temporarily.
The primary challenge now is to rebuild and regain the momentum I had before these setbacks. I’m focusing on overcoming the financial strain caused by the extended period of unemployment, re-establishing stability, and reigniting the pursuit of my dream that was put on hold. The goal is to transition from the setbacks of the past into a phase of renewed growth and success in 2024.
I am optimistic about the potential for success in the coming year, envisioning the realization of wholesale contracts and an expansion in the customer base. However, the journey to recovery is ongoing, requiring resilience, strategic planning, and a proactive approach to rebuilding what was temporarily disrupted. While the path forward may pose its own set of challenges, I am committed to turning adversity into opportunity and embracing the potential for a brighter future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://grounds4cause.com
- Instagram: @S3coffeeCo | @RiseAboveCoffee
- Facebook: @S3coffeeCo | @RiseAboveCoffee
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagreenmba
