We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Van Oss and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
For me, one of the things that has contributed to my success was something I did when I was a child, something many other people do as well. Learning to read was one of the most important decisions I’ve ever made and has never let me down, no matter what I was facing in life.

In elementary school, when the teacher told us we would be getting our first “Frog & Toad” book so that we could learn to read, I was so excited that I kissed the boy sitting next to me. (Ah, the joys of being a kid, so happy and in the moment.) Without the ability to read or the love of books and reading, the course of my life could have turned out very differently.

What should our readers know about your business?
Growing up in a small Midwestern town where soybeans outnumbered people and traffic lights were a novelty, I learned the value of hard work and perseverance early on. Graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from Kent State University, consistently making the dean’s list throughout my college career, was a testament to my dedication and commitment to excellence.

My professional journey has been diverse, ranging from serving as a professional haberdasher to working with Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits, to excelling as a high-performance elite recruiter. Along the way, I’ve embraced every opportunity to challenge myself and expand my horizons.

One of my proudest accomplishments is being a three-time bestselling author, with accolades such as winning the TAZ (The Authors Zone) national book award and the Storyteller of the Year Award under my belt. My work has been featured in esteemed publications like The Hollywood Times and Kent State Today, and I’ve had the privilege of sharing my insights on numerous podcasts.

In 2023, I was honored as “One of the Top 10 Businesswomen to Watch” by LA Progressive, a recognition that further fueled my passion for making a meaningful impact in my field. As a certified speaker, I’ve had the privilege of engaging with diverse audiences, from colleges and universities to various organizations.

Throughout my journey, I’ve learned invaluable lessons about the importance of mindset, resilience, and confidence in oneself and one’s abilities. Each obstacle I encountered became an opportunity for growth and learning. I discovered that maintaining the right mindset, even in the face of adversity, is crucial for overcoming challenges and achieving success. Resilience has been my greatest ally, allowing me to bounce back stronger from setbacks and setbacks.

Confidence in myself and my abilities has been a driving force behind my achievements. Believing in my potential and refusing to let self-doubt hold me back has propelled me forward, even when the path seemed daunting. I’ve learned that embracing challenges with confidence opens doors to new opportunities and fosters personal and professional growth.

My journey is a testament to the power of leveraging obstacles into opportunities. Every setback has been a stepping stone toward greater success, teaching me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of staying true to myself. I’ve learned to view challenges as catalysts for growth and innovation, transforming adversity into fuel for achievement.

As I continue to evolve and grow, my mission remains steadfast: to inspire, empower, and uplift others through my work and my words. I want the world to know that behind every accolade and achievement is a story of grit, passion, and unwavering belief in the power of dreams.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a HUGE cherry blossom festival person, so if you visit D.C., you MUST visit during this magical time of year. The trees along the Tidal Basin are beyond picture-perfect. The city pulls out all the stops for the Cherry Blossom Festival, including several parades, black-tie galas, and hosting a massive kite-flying festival on the Mall, complete with aerial demonstrations by Kite Masters. The festival activities, including the parades and music, are a blast for all ages. Spending time walking in D.C. to view and experience the delicate and magical cherry blossoms tops the itinerary. I also would take my guests to the fabulous Hillwood Museum. This museum is tucked away in a quiet neighborhood far from the hustle-and-bustle of downtown D.C. Rather, this estate will transport you back in time and give you a glimpse of an American trailblazer and Camelot in her own right, Marjorie Merriweather Post. Marjorie was the sole and only heir to the Post Cereal Corporation and went on to do many pioneering things for a woman in early 19th-century America. Her will made plans for one of her final homes, Hillwood, to become the museum we can visit today. Her legacy lives on as you experience the opulence of her life while walking through her home, as well as her greenhouse and her many gardens, putting green, and reception lawn area where many former Presidents and dignitaries conversed about the day’s events and policies. The Hillwood Museum experience is like NONE other in D.C. and is a quiet oasis of peace, serenity, and luxury. I have personally started to develop two upcoming books as a result of my time visiting Hillwood Museum. Each visit and new person I expose to Marjorie Merriweather Post is made better for it. Her legacy is something to marvel at as well as become inspired by. I also usually encourage all my friends who visit to go and see the World War II memorial on the Mall. It is one of the most beautiful (in my opinion) monuments that D.C. has to offer. There is always a sense of calm, respect, and dignity as soon as you step into the massive monument, which is a circle with a pillar to represent each state in the union. There is a reflecting pond within as well, which adds to the peaceful ambiance. The white marble is also what really stands out to me about this monument and just how beautiful it is. If you have not had a chance to see it, be sure to add it to your D.C. bucket list.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people whom I would love to recognize for their support and encouragement over the years, many of whom may not even know they offered encouragement to me. My family was integral in terms of encouragement and supporting me, particularly my mom, step-dad, uncles, and my beloved grandparents. My grandparents taught me many lessons that formed my sense of self, my character, integrity, and confidence. I understood from them early in life that if I set a goal and worked hard for it, I can achieve it. I owe learning the state capitals, my spelling words, and getting through Mrs. Craver’s summer leaf identification project to the hours spent with my grandmother. Their support while growing up set me up with the right mindset and hard work skills necessary to achieve my goals.

I also owe a debt of gratitude to the folksy charm of Zig Ziglar and Norman Vincent Peale, with whom I spent many hours reading and listening to them speak. During my college years and first jobs out of college, they kept me motivated and further developed the necessary skills for success. I later realized that Norman Vincent Peale was born in a small township less than 1 mile from my grandparents’ farm, with which I am very familiar, and never even noticed the historical plaque going into town.

I also owe a great deal to my co-founder and business partner, Frank Zaccari. The universe connected us, and from day one, there was something special. Creating Trust the Process Book Marketing Program with Frank has been a dream come true. We work incredibly well together, and our talents complement one another. We love working with our authors to craft a customized marketing campaign for them so they, too, can become elite #1 bestselling authors.

And I also must thank another one-in-a-million person, Mr. Greene, the founder of StarTracker Publishing Company. In working with Mr. Greene to create StarTracker Publishing, we have established a minority-owned and operated hybrid publisher just outside our nation’s capital. His vision and passion for bringing unique stories to the marketplace are what get me out of bed each day. I look forward to going into the office with Mr. Greene and the StarTracker Publishing team as it is like my ‘home away from home.’

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