You guys, I am so eager to share this blog post derived from my conversation with my dear friend Melanie Mitro. Melanie is truly a legend in her space — she started in direct sales and was the top leader four times. This is incredibly rare for anyone to maintain such a high-ranking position among hundreds of thousands of other direct sales reps. Not only has she excelled in direct sales, but she also founded a company called Chic Influencer, where she mentors and teaches other direct salespeople how to thrive.
However, our conversation isn’t just for those in direct sales but for anyone navigating the challenges of achieving their dreams. It’s about resilience and how incredibly tough it can be to accomplish our goals. I asked Melanie some pretty pointed questions about her struggles, and she was open, humble, and kind enough to share her honest experiences. Let’s dive in.
A Legend in Direct Sales
When I think of Melanie, I think of growth and development. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of watching her evolve as an entrepreneur. She started her entrepreneurial journey in 2011 with no background in sales, marketing, or leadership. Instead, she held an undergrad degree in psychology and a Master’s in Special Education. Her initial dream was simply to be a stay-at-home mom.
In 2011, she decided to step down from her full-time job to embrace the role of a full-time stay-at-home mom. However, she soon found herself feeling empty and guilty because the dream she had yearned for wasn’t as fulfilling as she expected. That’s when she stumbled upon direct sales through Facebook — sharing her weight loss journey and being introduced to at-home fitness and workouts.
Melanie initially resisted the business opportunity, shutting it down six times before finally saying yes. Her determination to succeed was fueled by the stagnant income and the desire for a better life for her family. Within three years, she scaled her direct sales business to the number one team in the company.
Building Something New
Despite her success, there came a point when Melanie felt called to build something new. She started Chic Influencer with her business partner, Katy Ursta, without the pressure for immediate success. However, she quickly realized that building a brand from scratch required proving herself all over again.
Stepping into a new space was both exciting and challenging. Melanie had to apply the same consistency and discipline that had propelled her initial success. She shared how it’s essential to embrace being a beginner, allowing oneself to make mistakes and learn in the process.
The Hard Truths
In our conversation, Melanie was candid about the challenges and hard truths she faced. She recounted a tough season where they decided to shut down a profitable aspect of their business that didn’t bring them joy. This decision set off a chain reaction of being behind on revenue goals and realizing they needed more than just visibility — they needed the right team and systems in place.
Melanie emphasized that successful entrepreneurs might seem to have it all together from the outside, but internally, it’s a constant battle of learning, adapting, and pushing through roadblocks. She highlighted the importance of mindset and surrounding oneself with people who uplift and challenge you.
Mindset and Consistency
One of the things that sets Melanie apart is her unwavering commitment and consistency. She has this tunnel vision that if she wants something, she’ll find a way to get it. This mindset was instilled in her by her parents, teaching her that hard work can achieve anything.
However, Melanie also notes that maintaining this mindset and consistency is challenging, especially when life throws curveballs. She stresses the importance of being in the right mindset and being part of a supportive community to navigate these challenges.
Leadership and Service
When discussing leadership, Melanie defines it as the ability to develop others and leave them better than you found them. A great leader serves unapologetically, models resilience, and holds others to high standards while showing compassion.
Melanie’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience, continuous growth, and servant leadership. It’s a reminder that while success is sweet, the journey is often paved with struggles and challenges that shape us into the leaders we are meant to be.
Final Thoughts
I’ve watched Melanie grow over the years and continue to admire her grace and willingness to share her experiences. Her journey teaches us that being a leader involves not just celebrating the highs but also navigating the lows with perseverance and an unwavering commitment to growth.
If you want to connect with Melanie and follow her incredible journey, you can find her on Instagram at @MelanieMitro and check out her podcasts, Women Inspiring Women and Direct Sales Done Right. They are full of insights and wisdom for anyone looking to grow both personally and professionally.
Thank you for joining me on this exploration into Melanie’s world. I hope her story inspires you as much as it inspires me. Keep pushing, keep growing, and remember — persistence and resilience are key to achieving your dreams.
RESOURCES:
Follow Melanie Mitro on Instagram
