Miami Moms Blog has been working hard with our friends at Just Ask Boo to present the Working Moms Spotlight Series. Every month we will introduce you to a Miami area mom who is making a difference in the business community, while also finding time to share her talents and treasure with charitable causes she finds meaningful.
We understand that managing the “balancing act” of juggling business and family is not easy. Life is busy and can often be very messy. We can and should glean wisdom from the trials and triumphs of other women. It is our hope that the Working Moms Spotlight Series will encourage and equip you wherever you are on your journey.
Without further ado, we are thrilled to introduce you to our first Spotlight Candidate: MELISSA MEDINA.
Melissa is President of eMerge Americas and the Technology Foundation of the Americas. She works full time (she loves what she does and she’s darn good at it). Melissa is married, has five children, a zillion friends, almost as many charitable commitments, and a very close extended family. Somehow she does it with grace and poise and even looks pretty and smiles while getting it all done! Scroll down to hear what she has to say about her work, her family, and how she makes it all happen…
Melissa Medina, President of eMerge Americas
Melissa, we are thrilled to feature you as our first Working Moms Spotlight Candidate. Thank you for joining us. Tell us what inspired you to start your work with eMerge Americas?
I am inspired to do what I do because I want to help spark a whole new industry in South Florida. I also want to positively impact the future of our community.
The work you are leading with eMerge Americas is truly remarkable. You’re helping to make Miami a leading tech hub of innovation and creating a space for global leaders and enterprises to converge. Can you tell us more about a creative project within your work that you are most proud of?
This year I launched a global innovation challenge where developers from all over the world competed to develop a solution for problems faced in the music industry using a very powerful technology called blockchain. It was a way to combine the arts (music) with technology (blockchain). I was not sure how it would turn out, but it ended up being a great success with developers from all over the world competing in Miami for 1st place. It was one of the most creative projects I have helped put together. I can’t wait for the next one!
That is really exciting! Where do you draw inspiration and ideas?
I draw inspiration from meeting new people, asking a lot of questions and traveling. Of course I always draw inspiration and ideas from my children – they have the best ideas!
Children really do share the best ideas. It is one of the perks of being a Mom in business. How has being a Mom influenced your role in business?
Being a mom has given me a whole new perspective not only on how I live my day to day life at work, but more importantly, on how I plan and create a vision for my organization. I am always thinking to myself, “How could the decisions I make now at work have an impact on my children’s future?”
What are the challenges and rewards you have encountered as a working Mom?
The eternal challenge is finding the right balance. Personally I think it’s impossible to be fully work/life balanced. However, it is all about trying to prioritize and sometimes we (moms) beat ourselves up about missing a game or having to travel (the guilt is constant). Yet, when I hear my children tell me they are proud of me or how much they love going to my office or attending the eMerge Americas conference, it makes it all worth it. I think, in the long run, they will understand that I was always trying my best to create as balanced as a life as possible for all of us.
Would you share with us an obstacle you’ve overcome and how you overcame it?
To me it feels like I have all the labels that would potentially hold me back from moving forward in my professional life. I am a woman, a mom of 5 children, divorced, remarried and I work for a family business (lots of expectations to meet). I am Latina. The list goes on. However, I look at that list and tell myself, “This is me.” All of those aspects are part of who I am and I am not afraid of discussing it. I use that list to empower myself and to push myself to break barriers.
What advice would you give a Mom who may be considering stepping back into the workforce or to the Mom who dreams of starting her own business?
I say, “Do it!” There is no time like the present. Talk to as many moms or “mompreneurs” as possible. Keep learning, keep connecting with people, keep pushing forward.
On that note, what resources do you recommend for women in business?
Podcasts! They are great! You can listen to them in your car, from your phone or computer. My favorite is Reid Hoffman’s “Masters of Scale” podcast. I learn a lot from the incredible entrepreneurs he interviews. Love it.
Ok Melissa, we’ll finish up with a lightning round of fun, lighthearted questions. Ready? Here goes…
Do you have a mentor?
Too many to list, but the top two are definitely my parents.
What words of wisdom do you live by?
“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” ~Steve Jobs
Name 3 things that make you smile:
My family, my dog and wine!
What’s your favorite place in Miami for “me-time?”
My house because I am a home body. I spend a lot of time outside of the house for work, so I thoroughly enjoy finding “me time” at my house. Whether that means actually enjoying a cup of coffee in my kitchen or having a glass wine in my patio. Maybe even catching up on my favorite Netflix series or reading a book on my couch. A spa day would be a close second!
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?
With my children and my husband on a beach!
Thanks for your time Melissa!
You can find Melissa at eMerge Americas 2019,
coming April 29-30 to the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Click HERE for details and registration info.
Sign up for the Just Ask Boo Newsletter and Miami Moms Blog to read the next Working Moms Spotlight.
