Melrose Elise is President/CEO of Melrose Mode Creative Agency, Inc. She has worked as a marketing coordinator for a multimedia marketing and TV production company, and with over 3 years of experience in advertising has worked with brands such as COACH, Essence cosmetics, Pacifica, DermaE, & more. As a photographer, she has had the opportunity to collaborate with other local bloggers and provide media coverage for Miami Fashion week, Miss Mundo Latina, as well as work with various fashion designers and local businesses. Melrose is also President and Co-Founder of Chic Conviction Ministries, a virtual ministry and devotional platform for millennials. Before devoting her time to CCM, Melrose was a speaker and ministry leader at the local university campus and church including youth ministry, dance, and creative arts. Lastly, her passion for people has fueled her drive in the medical field alongside Florida Hospital for several years. Her motto in life is “Success isn’t measured by numbers, but the amount of lives you impact”. Read our interview with the lovely Melrose below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
As a lifetime creative, Melrose has dabbled in a little bit everything from dancing, poetry, painting, 3D art, photography, fashion styling, etc. Passion for people is the center of her business and non-profit organization.
Tell us about your business.
Melrose Moda Creative Agency provides creative services to enhance a person or brand in the most modern way, embracing simplicity, and telling a story. Have a project in mind? For example, book a photoshoot with us and we also offer makeup + styling in-house! Or connect with our design department for a custom website AND logo! Need a speaker at your next event or corporate meeting? We can do that too. We also offer social media management, content creation, media kits, audio design, DJ services & more.
Where is your business based?
Melrose Moda Creative Agency is primarily based in Orlando, Florida with team members in New York City. Our photographers and videographers are also willing to travel within the U.S.
What were the first few steps taken to get the business up and running?
Melrose Moda started as the brand of Melrose’s blog and photography business. Not long after establishing the brand, Melrose decided to expand her services and hire a creative team to delegate projects.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
Honestly, word of mouth. Our company cares about people and that’s why we focus on details as much as possible so that we can tell our client’s unique story.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
As a business owner you work for yourself, this also means you never really clock in and out. Lack of rest can lead to one of the biggest challenges of remaining inspired. Sometimes, life happens but what matters is that you show up!
How did you overcome these challenges?
Whether you are an entrepreneur or not, the concept of clocking in and out should still apply in some way. We will never be great in ALL things EVERY day, but it’s important to view clocking in as refueling our passion and clocking out by taking time to rest. Clocking in and out will look different for every entrepreneur individually, whether it’s a vacation, time with your loved ones, or reminding yourself you don’t need to feel guilty by letting a client know you will get back to them if need be. We often have a sense of urgency because we think we will lose a client if we aren’t fast enough, but when your brand builds value they will recognize that and await a timely response. At the end of the day, if you don’t make time for yourself, your brand will suffer anyway.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
We don’t rely on motivation, but inspiration. Inspiration is internal, while motivation is external. Being uninspired is often a sign that we need time to rest and reflect. We also believe in the power of two. If your business is suffering or you are going through a difficult time, yield to the support system God has placed in your life for a reason.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
At Melrose Moda Creative Agency, we love creating with purpose. That is why we believe less is more. We make the client’s story the center of our focus. Our goal is to exceed the client’s expectations in terms of the project itself and our interaction with them as an individual.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
One of the Melrose Moda core values is a ‘Growth Mindset’ which is why we are consistently seeking ways to connect with social media friends! It’s important to support your community virtually and in return, they will support you. You are not more important than they are, and they are not more important than you are. Be humble, be kind, don’t view others as competition, but as opportunities for your personal or professional growth.
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
The MODA team often works remotely, especially having team members in New York City. We love using TRELLO to work on projects, upload documents, make comments, and share attachments. It’s a great virtual tool for project management. You can download the mobile app too!
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @melrose.elise and @melrose.moda
Twitter @melroseelise and @melrosemoda
Facebook @melroseelise and @melrosemoda
Website www.Melrose.moda
Email Contact@melrose.moda
Hashtags #melrosemoda
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
“The 21 irrefutable laws of leadership” by Max Lucado. We also love learning more about the principles of the Bible and applying them in life and business. Clients are people, and the word teaches fundamental truths that will never go out of style.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
For the next few months Melrose Moda Creative Agency will strive to create more stories and build our company portfolio. We are reaching out to potential clients and preserving the relationships we have already established. We are also exploring various partnerships within the local community.
Wanda Lopez says
Elaine, what a beautiful interview with the lovely Melrose. I met Melrose a year (or two) ago at a local event and have been a fan of her work ever since. She is an inspiring young woman and I am always in expectations of what she will come up with next. As a person, what can I say?, I love her and wish her the best. She rocks!