Meet Mela Michelle

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mela Michelle.

Hi Mela, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Hi, there my name is Mela Michelle and I am a black creative entrepreneHER! I started out my business (Faithful Servants, LLC) based on Photography after graduating college back in 2016. Photography and art, in general, are very big passions for me. I started with just a dream, purchased my camera, and just threw myself out into the business world. No real idea what direction I was headed in, or exactly what I expected to achieve.

Sometimes, it’s best you don’t have everything perfectly planned. Life will allow things to come together better than one could ever expect. Throughout the years it’s been many trials and ups and downs in the business world but the most important thing was to keep pushing. I knew for sure that I’ve always been one to move to the beat of my own drum so being in business for myself was the only option. I officially quit my day job and went full-fledged entrepreneHER in 2019 and haven’t regretted it since.

It’s been a wonderful journey thus far. Many lessons and even more blessings. My biggest goal is to help others, make an impact, and make a comfortable impact while doing so. It has certainly been a scary ride, at times I had no idea how I’d make it financially but I kept my faith in God strong and continued to move forward.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road hasn’t been smooth at all. I’m running my business alone. So I’m maintaining my business and myself completely alone and at times it seems like it’d be better if I just caved and got a day job. I know that isn’t for me and for me that’s entirely too close to giving up.

I don’t have much guidance in the business area, so I’m not always on top of the rules and guidelines. I learned the hard way that, that’s definitely something to take time researching and getting in order. I have and sometimes still do struggle with doubts, creativity block, depression, anxiety, naysayers, and those who may not mean harm but constantly project their fears and insecurities.

Losing those close to me because they don’t understand my passion, drive, mission, or purpose.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I wear many hats and have many talents and passions. The best label for them to fit under is an artist and creative. I do photography, event planning, writing, modeling, marketing and design, and so many other things. I’m mainly known for photography.

I’m proud of my ability to just go and do. A lot of us tend to allow fear and the constant “what-ifs” to numb us and eventually hold us back from our destiny.

I’ve determined that I can’t allow that. I must go and I must do. Doing and sometimes failing is the only way to learn.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I actually listened to sermons often by Sarah Jakes Roberts. I absolutely LOVE her, and when I’m feeling down or discouraged she says just the right things to uplift my spirit and help me to keep pushing. 15/10 HIGHLY recommended!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.FaithfulServantsLLC.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/FaithfulServantsLLC
• Other: www.RaleighJuneteenthFestival.com