When you look at all of the women in your life, which of them would you consider inspiring? Many women have inspired me throughout different parts of my life, and for very different reasons. But a friend of mine, Melissa Connolly (“Mel” to her good friends) continues to be a woman who shines on many different levels.
Mel officially launched her website design business, Emtwo Web Studios, in 2005, though she had been designing for several years (since 2002) on the side while working at a full-time job, building up her client list until she could leave the security of that office job behind and embark on a new adventure doing something that she loves. She and her husband Sean have done well for themselves, and they even get to work in their pajamas if they want. And the best part is that they are surrounded by their family, which consists of two adorable dogs (mini Aussies) and three lovable cats.
Mel also runs a side business, Bakettes, where she brings the flavors of New York (her original home) to her current home in North Carolina. For anyone who has ever tasted an authentic New York bagel (and loved it, of course), you would love Mel’s yummy creations! Not only does Mel bake amazing bagels, but she is also known for her amazing New York style crumb cake that I personally adore, plus artisan breads, different kinds of cookies, etc. This woman is also passionate about pumpkin, and she makes some mouth-watering goodies! While most of her goods are sold locally, her website also accepts mail orders.
Aside from making money to pay her own bills, Mel also helps to raise money for breast cancer research by running the Annual Blogger BoobieThon, which is a charity that “bares all for breast cancer research” the first week of October every year. The BoobieThon was started in 2002, but Mel took it over in 2007. She had previously worked at an office where she helped fund-raise for a pancreatic cancer organization. When she left that job, she started looking for another charity that she felt as strongly about, and since the BoobieThon was “up for adoption,” she decided to take over. They celebrated their 10th anniversary last year, but Mel promises that they will be back this year in a new form, so stay tuned.
And as if Mel doesn’t keep busy enough doing all of that, earlier this year she started working with a couple of local animal rescues to foster animals and help transport animals to their new homes, all in an effort to help save more lives. She fosters through BARK (Bone-a-fide Australian Rescue Krew). Mel also volunteers for Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary and How to Save a Life, both of which help save local county pets from their local high-kill shelter. Because of Mel, I realized that as busy as I am, I still have time to foster animals, something that I had been thinking about doing for quite some time.
I am pretty amazed that one person has enough time in a week to do all of this and still have time for her friends and family, but she does! Mel inspires me to get off my butt and do things, to dare to dream, to go for it. I am sure that her story will help to inspire others as well.
Be sure to check out all her amazing sites and you’ll see why she should win Yahoo Shine’s Women Who Shine contest!
Here is more info on the Yahoo Shine Program:
Women Who Shine is Yahoo! Shine’s inaugural women’s recognition program. Nominate your peers, mentors, family and any other women in your community who inspire you and others with their extraordinary achievements. This program stands apart because the honorees are not the high-profile women or celebs you see in most other “Woman of the Year” or “Most Powerful Women” programs. It’s women nominating the local heroes in their communities and it is Shine’s readers, not an editorial staff, who decide who wins. For more info check out: womenwhoshine.yahoo.com.
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“I was compensated for this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on this topic, click here.”
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