Professionally

As a native of Orange County, California - Melissa’s event experience began over 21 years ago at the Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara. Getting her start in luxury brands while in college she handled both front- and back-of-the-house details and logistics for elite weddings, galas, celebrity parties, press events, and corporate weekends. One of her favorite things to do was make the VIPs feel at ease with the timing, flow, and execution of details while servicing their every need. After returning to Orange County and finishing her undergrad at UC Irvine, she freelanced with several high-profile event planning companies in Los Angeles. Having worked with Colin Cowie Lifestyles, Caravents, and Sterling Social, Melissa has been on-site at hundreds of events: from weddings, Grammy parties, celebrity birthday parties, music industry fetes, corporate launch events, tech expos, legal retreats, and even the opening weekend festivities at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas - she really has seen and done it all!

Her career path led her into the legal marketing industry where she worked with attorneys and other marketing professionals to elevate their firms, practice areas, and individual brands. She works with clients to craft websites, social media strategies, digital content, and communications and assists with newsletter development, brochures, and other client-directed communications. Utilizing her Master’s degree in organizational psychology, she has been able to help law firms develop plans that are collaboratively oriented within and across groups in the organization. The events director in her was never too far out of sight. Melissa continued to work with law firms to create corporate events that supported their marketing efforts, including large retreats, national conferences, local industry events, and in-house training sessions.

Personally

In 2021, along with her husband and senior dog Maggie, they decided to live where they vacationed - and moved to Big Bear Lake, California. While not far from their family in Orange County, they reside and work just above the clouds now! The natural elements of the valley have influenced how and where their family shops, and what products they use and consume, and has influenced them to source high-quality natural products and like-minded vendor services that come from conscious brands that they share with friends, family, and clients.

“While I am a Four Seasons, room service girl at heart - there is nothing better than a road trip with my hubby and 3 dogs in our travel trailer exploring new cultures, towns, and people. I am constantly inspired by where we are traveling while simultaneously discovering new design inspirations everywhere we go.” - Melissa

Education

UC Irvine, BA Philosophy

Azusa Pacific, Masters - Industrial + Organizational Psychology