Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Haile.
Hi Melissa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Where do I start? I didn’t have the most conventional life; I definitely strayed away from the path that I needed to be on many, many times. But I am a firm believer if we don’t do that, we don’t learn. I Feel like all my 39 years has been an effort to find myself. I feel like I finally have in some way. I am a mother of three ages 19, 15 and 4. My toddler keeps me young my oldest has given me my grays. I love them all dearly. I have constantly spent my life seeking better for myself trying different routes and avenues to just find what brings me my greatest joy. I have been a server, I have worked in the corporate field I have worked in wine sales even traveling to Europe for the position. But nothing has brought me more joy than the entrepreneurial world. I’m really good at being My own Boss. This allows me to have a semi flexible schedule. As I’m very much a homebody and just enjoy my children to much to do the usual 9-5 schedule. Plus having kids of different age brackets I have to be as flexible as possible to be their taxi . I haven’t watched TV or movies in probably ten years so if you ask me what really is going on I have a gist but I’ve allowed my intuition to guide me. And well, there’s always Facebook for news �� I’m quite the life of the party but also very quiet and reserved just depends on the day that you get me. I am always willing to drop at a dime to help my friends or to find something good to do in the neighborhood to help somebody else it’s really my passion. It’s really what makes me tick. I’ve been room mom, I’ve been PTA president I’ve worn so many hats. I’m just a simple person trying to do good in the world and make people happy.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I sat on the business for a long time and just divulged a plan to make this work and to thrive. I knew it was going to take a lot because small businesses aren’t really given a hand up in the real world. They have to work really hard to get where they’re going in a society that thrives on instant gratification and box stores. Social media can definitely be a hindrance and a help depending on if you are feeling lucky that day not really sure how they tick but it’s usually not in favor of small businesses. What flavor or level of organic growth you will get in each post is often a mystery. You could post something absolutely phenomenal but the algorithm could stop it right in its tracks. I’ve had numerous friends share my product and nothing comes from it not a like not a comment and surely they love this stuff if they’re sharing it, it’s odd how it’s stopped in its tracks often. So I I’ve gotten used to marketing on foot I have been up and down the East Coast (Volusia County) handing out flyers in and out of many many Real Estate offices and Doctor’s offices sharing treats and bouquets. Featuring many for my small business Monday promo I did free of charge. I also found myself giving so many samples and so many free bouquets just trying to get my name out there but also seeing it in a way of spreading love and a smile wondering if it would ever take off because starting your own business is costly and especially in an environment we are living in the past couple year’s people are very hesitant to spend any money not knowing what could happen from one minute to the next. I have three kids all of different ages as a single mother trying to build a business is hard in itself and the demand of making sure you are giving to all aspects of your life and an equal manner is often hard to manage but God always makes a way. I feel like I have had time to be with my kids be there for the events that they have at school it makes me feel like I’m doing my part to make sure that they have a good life and are given things that I may have not have had as a child.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Divinely Gifted & Co?
I have always been viewed as an extrovert but I’m really a closet introvert so when in introvert mode, I study people, I become aware of their surroundings, what they love what makes them tick and in return, I also feel like I have this inner guidance of what could make them happy so insert my eye for aesthetics and gift-giving. I truly feel my love language is the art of giving gifts and just making someone’s day. I have always called myself the poorest philanthropist. I just want to sow good into this world. For a long time, I gave when I probably shouldn’t have and couldn’t afford it but the joy it brought me was unspeakable. So many people for years told me I should get into some sort of industry that would allow me to share my talents and also be able to see people’s faces light up. It started with flowers. I would make a bouquet here and there and with the extras, I would give to someone I thought needed a pick me up. I love flowers and the healing they bring. I actually used to think people were really weird for buying themselves flowers until I started doing it for myself and there is a level of self-care that comes with having a bit of God’s creation in your home you get to look at and find joy in. I actually used to assist with weddings in Atlanta and worked under a wonderful friend she taught me pretty much all I know. So in May, I was given the vision to start something and just trust. I knew I didn’t want conventional like putting my name under a huge name brand floral company like 1-800 Flowers or FTD because every time I ordered from them, nothing ever looked like I wanted it to and it just cost so much. Each bouquet I make is very unique and different a lot of the stuff through big companies don’t offer what I usually do or at least they didn’t when I started. I really wanted to be affordable so even people that didn’t have a lot of money could still give somebody something if they needed to. I also had many friends that lived in the Volusia County area. I often would try to send a sweet treat or flowers and there were little to no options when it came to that.
So then my mind started really kicking in that I wanted to do something that would benefit the greater Central Florida area that gave many options to the art of giving. The name had been stirring in my head and really fits where I’m going and what I want because so many people when I give just for just because reasons would reach out and say how did you know I needed this I haven’t received flowers in 26 years. My dog just died and was just so destroyed thank you for thinking of me. Divinely Gifted just was making its name more and more evident that God was in the details. I created a button on my website that others can click to round up and donate to continue helping me do Random Acts of Kindness. I offer so many things from Bouquets to Charcuterie boxes made fresh to order. I also am now offering the whole wedding packing be it Planning, Day of Coordination and even flowers. The charcuterie just felt right to incorporate with the flowers because what better way to make someone’s day but with flowers and cheese or even a dessert board. It’s really opened up a means for me to do everything I’ve ever dreamed of doing. I am always open to creative ideas never hesitate to ask me to create something new. I’m not sure what 2022 will bring but I’m super excited to see what God has in store. Kinda Hoping it holds the same vision as that cute Lil storefront I have my eyes set on <3
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was a not so popular little girl. I had a very rough childhood. School was my Oasis it kept me away from the things going on within my home. I had to teach myself a lot of what not to do and what to do in life not that any family is perfect; we are all just winging it but some of their direction just wasn’t where I saw myself going. I had to unteach myself things that I had learned and observed and just really redirect my brain and to how I saw myself and how I would raise my own kids. I think my family often struggled with self-worth and knowing their place and what God had in store for them but they often played small. I am no way saying that I didn’t do this either because I did. Regardless there is still love and care it just wasn’t a conventional home. I had to really dig deep into a new way of living and remembering that I am a sovereign human being and the daughter of the most high. Many people would kind of frown about someone talking so spiritual but you see, I’ve seen God and what he can do to turn your life around and many people won’t allow him to do the work in their lives because they want to keep the control and not look at things that look hard to face. They want to feel that this is the life that they were given and to feel sorry for themselves. I choose not to live in that I choose to be happy I’ve been dealt some pretty crappy hands in my life even going through one now but I’m using it as fuel to thrive to be better and strive for better.
Contact Info:
- Email: divinelygiftedco@yahoo.com
- Website: www.divinelygiftedco.com
- Instagram: @divinelygiftedco
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/divinelygiftedc
Image Credits
Cara Deszo Cld Photography The Lemons Photography Ernie and Kristi Lemon
