What’s it really like to work with a high-energy, visionary entrepreneur? In this episode, Melody pulls back the curtain on her working relationship with Kristine, her executive assistant and collaborator. They dive deep into the challenges of managing a sparkly-brained business owner, and striking a balance between control and delegation.

Kristine shares her journey from joining the company as a virtual assistant to becoming Mel's trusted right-hand partner, revealing how she helps keep Melody on track (even when new ideas are constantly coming). They talk about the cultural differences between the U.S. and the Philippines, the biggest misconceptions about executive assistants, and why trust is the foundation of a truly successful working relationship.

You'll also hear about the challenges of shifting from managing tasks to managing a person, how Kristine learned to push back and set boundaries, and what it takes to transition from support staff to collaborator. Plus, Melody gets real about being a recovering micromanaging, and the systems they use to stay (mostly) sane in a fast-growing business.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes a visionary-executive assistant relationship thrive, how to find (or be) a great EA, or why every business owner needs their own “Melody Manager,” this episode is packed with insight, humor, and honest reflection.

In this episode of Business Misfits, we explore the intersection of ethics, purpose, and profitability in the modern business landscape. How do you stay true to your values when faced with difficult decisions? Can a business prioritize integrity and still achieve sustainable growth? We tackle these pressing questions and share real-world insights to help you align your mission with your bottom line.

From navigating ethical dilemmas to building a culture rooted in trust, we dive deep into the challenges and rewards of leading with authenticity. You’ll hear strategies for fostering meaningful connections with your team, customers, and stakeholders while staying competitive in a fast-paced world.

This conversation is all about empowering you to think differently, challenge the status quo, and embrace the misfit mindset to create a lasting impact—both in your business and beyond.

Mindset Reset: My Journey from Learning to Unlearning

In this episode, Melody discusses the counterintuitive key to growth - unlearning. Melody shares personal experiences, realizations from attending a conference, and tools to help recognize and unlearn old beliefs.

00:30 Information Hoarding

01:04 The Problem with More Knowledge

01:20 The Importance of Unlearning

03:28 Steps to Start Unlearning

04:05 The 'Five Whys' Method

06:18 Practical Exercise

07:29 Ketamine Therapy

09:48 Facing her Fear of Snakes

11:56 Final Thoughts

Melody Edwards is a lifelong entrepreneur with a sparkly brain and a passion for building purpose-driven businesses. Over the past 25 years, she has successfully started, acquired, operated, and sold a variety of unconventional businesses, ultimately leading her to co-found HomeServiceVA.com with her first assistant, Din. Together, they built the company they wished had existed when they first started working together—a virtual assistant matchmaking agency that helps entrepreneurs streamline their operations with effective systems and talented virtual collaborators.

Being diagnosed with ADHD as a young adult changed her life. With newfound insight and understanding, Melody set out to master her brain's unique wiring, creating systems that allowed her to thrive in the "sparkliest" parts of her brain while delegating tasks that drained her. One of the most transformative decisions she made was hiring an Executive Assistant, which expedited her impact by allowing her to focus on the big projects and ideas that energize her.

Through her podcast, The Business Misfits, Melody shares insights from her decades-long business journey and interviews fellow unconventional entrepreneurs to empower others to embrace their inner "Bizfit" and build businesses on their own terms. Her mission is to help purpose-driven business owners craft their path with creativity, intuition, and heart.

Outside of business, Melody is a creative human who loves ALL THE THINGS… friends, AI, singing, bike rides, camping, crafting, ice cream, and building things. She lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband Matt, their children Sophia and Max, and their dog Shaun.

You can find all her things on www.melodythings.com

All the music you heard on the show today was written and recorded by Melody Edwards.

Hey Bizfit! Let’s Stay Connected

Facebook: @businessmisfits

TikTok: @thebusinessmisfit

Instagram: @homeserviceva

Connect on LinkedIn: @melodysedwards

Find all my things: www.melodythings.com