We had the good fortune of connecting with Melanie Redd and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melanie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It was 2014, and I had just graduated with a Master’s in Christian Education and landed a wonderful job.

Then, unexpectedly job fell through. In the week following, my husband suggested I start that blog that I had been talking about starting.

And, I did!

The rest is history! 500 posts, 9 books, thousands of social media interactions, speaking, mentoring, teaching, and so much more – what an amazing 10 years it has been!

Hope Ministry was born in a valley, but each year climbs a little higher up the mountain of hope!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career started when I was 10. I used to invite the neighbor kids to create our paper magazines which we would sell to our parents. I loved creating content, writing, and working with others.

In college, I could ace any test that involved writing my answers out. No multiple choices for me. Give me the essays!

After college, I taught school for several years and then began writing with Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee. For Lifeway, I primarily wrote the curriculum and teaching lessons for churches.

In 2010, I published my first book with Crosspoint Books (a division of Lifeway). The book is called, “Stepping Closers to the Savior.” Churches, new Christians, and discipleship groups are especially fond of this book that is available on Amazon.

From there, I have gone on to write or co-write eight other books. Most are devotionals and journals; all are available on Amazon. Most notably, two books stand out. One is the newest devotional, “Just Rest: A 90-Day Devotional Journal.” The other is my best-selling Amazon book – “Live in Light: 5-Minute Devotionals for Teen Girls.”

Other highlights have been chances to speak in churches, and to women’s groups, opportunities to mentor younger women, and changes to teach and train others to speak and write.

Along the way, I’ve also added social media management and ghostwriting to my tool belt. These two activities keep the lights on!

What would I like the world to know? Why do all of this? Honestly, I do it because I feel called to serve the Lord and to offer hope and prayer to others. It is my honor to do so.

Lessons learned along the way are many. A few things I share with others:

1) Take it slow. This is a marathon and not a sprint.
2) Don’t respond to criticism publically, if you can help it. Try to reach out personally or let it go.
3) Brush off as much negative and rude as you possibly can. Don’t let it stick to you.
4) Know your why and who. Why do it and who are you doing it for?
5) Just keep going. Tomorrow is a new day!
6) It’s okay to make mistakes; it’s how we learn.
7) Take lots of breaks and enjoy community often.
8) Pray like crazy!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
What a fun question!

If a good friend were to visit for a few days, I’d love to take them to a few places in the Memphis area that I love.

First, we’d drive downtown and see the Mississippi River and the skyline. Then, we may take a walk on the Big River Bridge that crosses the river. Afterward, we’d grab some famous Memphis Barbeque at The Rendezvous (ribs, etc.). On the way home, we might stop by the Peabody Hotel or the Bass Pro Shops at The Pyramid.

One day two, I’d love to take my friend out to breakfast at Staks! Kitchen. Then, we would head to Shelby Farms for a walk outdoors around the lake. Lunch would be at Coastal Fish Company, overlooking the lake. For afternoon coffee, we would drive out to The White Coffee Company in Somerville, and then do a little shopping at the old town square. Dinner would have to be at my favorite place: Napa Cafe in East Memphis.

On day three, we would head to one of our amazing area churches and out to lunch at Stony River in Germantown or maybe one of the Huey’s Burger locations. If the Memphis Grizzlies are playing in the afternoon, we could catch a game. Or, perhaps we could catch a concert at the Cannon Center or Graceland.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m so thankful for the support of my husband and kids! Year after year, they have encouraged me to climb higher, reach higher, write more, share more, and keep growing. I’m so blessed by Randy, Riley, and Emily.

Also, there is a group of local ladies that I meet with regularly for brainstorming, prayer, and encouragement. We call ourselves “The Biz Besties” because we are all Christian entrepreneurs who have launched our businesses. I’m so grateful for the ongoing support of these girls!

Another group that blesses me is all of of praying friends locally and all over the world on social media. I’m honored to admit that hundreds of people pray for me and this ministry. What a gift!

Website: https://melanieredd.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniemredd/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-redd-ab1a9814/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelanieRedd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelanieMaddoxRedd/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTVnKcDFW6owoUsuaOwC0yQ

Other: https://www.threads.net/@melaniemredd

Image Credits
Thanks to Calli Smith Photography for many of these photos.

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