Melisande Corlett

I attribute my success to the educators who believed in me and saw my gift before I fully recognized it myself. In 8th grade, Mrs. Maiale told my mom, 'I love her stories. Your daughter has a gift.' Then in high school, Mrs. Carmichael said the same thing and pleaded with me to pursue English over fashion design, telling me I had something special and she'd hate for me to miss out on that opportunity. Even though I was stubborn and initially pursued fashion, I eventually found my way back to writing because that's where I was meant to be. These two women had a very strong influence on how I got to where I am today. I also believe in surrounding myself with like-minded people who are going where I want to go or who have already been there, because those people know what it takes and can help pull you up. Finding a mentor is extremely powerful, and asking for help before you feel you need it makes a significant difference. When motivation isn't sufficient, you have to rely on discipline, and a mentor helps you create and stick to a game plan.

The best career advice I ever received came from Mrs. Carmichael, my Advanced Placement Literature teacher in high school. She sat with me in the stairwell one day before school ended and told me, 'I know you want to do fashion, but if you do fashion, I'd recommend you do it as a minor and not a major, because you have something special here, and I would hate for you to miss out on an opportunity with the gift that you have.' She encouraged me to major in English or some area that would help me strengthen my voice. Even though I was very stubborn as a teenager and didn't listen at first, her words stayed with me. I eventually realized she was right, and I transitioned from fashion to English after about a year. I believe that was the path I was supposed to travel, but I needed time to figure it out for myself. Another powerful piece of advice I received at a conference was: 'Once you go up the elevator, send the elevator back down. Don't just keep it on top floor.' This embodies what I want my life to represent - a life of generosity where it's not just about me, but about helping others and expediting their journey to success.

First and foremost, connect with like-minded people. I was very protective of my work in its infancy stages, and I learned that opening your mouth too soon or sharing in the wrong circles can be damaging. Sometimes people's questions, even when not meant negatively, can impact how far you see yourself. Surround yourself with like-minded people who are going where you're going or who have already been there, because they know what it takes and can help pull you up and hold you in the light. Find a mentor for sure. We often feel like we have to do things alone, but it's extremely powerful to ask for help before you feel you need it. A mentor can help you create a game plan and stick to it, especially when motivation doesn't come through and you need to rely on discipline. Without discipline, you'll procrastinate, and procrastination is where dreams go to die. There's no time like the present because tomorrow is not promised. Also remember that your voice is unique and tailored for a specific audience that needs to hear what you have to say. Don't focus on market oversaturation or let others stifle your dreams. Protect your fire, surround yourself with people who want to water your dreams and help them grow. And get yourself a journal - write it down, make it plain.

The most important values to me are generosity, helping others succeed, and not making everything about myself. I believe we have two hands for a reason - one is for ourselves, one is to help others. I went to a conference several years ago where a major theme was 'once you go up the elevator, send the elevator back down. Don't just keep it on top floor. Someone is waiting to get on.' That's what I want my life to embody. It's not about 'I struggled through it, so you have to struggle through it.' Instead, it's about asking 'what can I do to help expedite this process for you? What can I do to help you get to where you want to go?' I also value authenticity and looking beyond surface appearances. When we look at people, we see the house, the car, the clothes, but we don't give attention to where they've been or what they had to endure to get there. Those flashy things mean nothing if you don't have peace, self-confidence, self-growth, and self-discovery. I believe in creating space and holding space for people's journeys, not just celebrating where they are now. I also value supporting other women and being part of a network of women who want to see each other win and collaborate on something bigger than themselves.