Melissa May Benjamin - Broken Dreams to Building Dreams

Growing up between city projects and country farms, Melissa May dreamed of becoming everything from a nun to a singer. With her mother's gifted record player, she would perform Delta Dawn in front of mirrors, complete with twirls, until her Uncle Bill's barely-contained laughter shifted her aspirations. Between soccer, basketball, and family archery weekends at the Bowen, her early experiences shaped a deep understanding of how environment influences opportunity.

Her grandmother's example of farming, gardening, and canning, contrasted with city relatives dealing with drug-related incarceration, showed her both life's challenges and possibilities. Despite facing personal trauma and navigating difficult choices, she transformed these experiences into a mission to support others. Her journey from childhood performances to developing a comprehensive business model supporting women reflects a profound evolution in her definition of success.

Initially viewing career achievement through a traditional lens of financial success, her perspective shifted dramatically when she became a mother. This transformation led her to recognize the value of supporting other women in their journeys, particularly in elevating motherhood in a society that often diminishes its importance.

Today, Melissa's childhood dreams of helping others have manifested in an innovative business model combining practical services with social impact. Her cleaning business, Stellar Shine, represents more than just commercial success – it embodies her vision of creating opportunities for women to build sustainable futures. The little girl who once dreamed of serving others as a nun now serves her community through entrepreneurship and advocacy, working to create a world where women have the support they need to choose and embrace motherhood.