In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Melissa Nelson, a powerhouse in the mortgage industry, community leader, and founder of the Community Kindness Movement. With over 11 years of experience, Melissa shares the heartfelt and sometimes unexpected journey that led her from interior design and running an online furniture business to becoming a top-producing mortgage broker and advocate for financial empowerment.

Melissa opens up about her start in the business — sparked by a neighbor who saved her thousands on her first home — and how her family’s real estate background planted the seeds for her career. She reflects on her early days, juggling a new baby, a nonprofit launch, and a steep learning curve in lending. Through trial, error, and a lot of heart, she discovered her passion for educating clients, especially millennials, who will make up 72% of homebuyers in the next five years. Her mission: to break down the barriers of fear around credit scores, down payments, and affordability, and help young buyers build generational wealth through homeownership.

One of Melissa’s most powerful stories is about helping a young woman with no credit buy her first home. With a few strategic steps, Melissa helped her client boost her credit score and secure her dream house — a memory that keeps Melissa motivated on hard days. She emphasizes how homeownership can transform entire family lineages, offering financial stability and equity that renting can never match.

Beyond mortgages, Melissa’s heart beats for her nonprofit, the Community Kindness Movement. Born out of her daughter’s experience with bullying, Melissa took a simple but profound action: anonymously sending yellow roses to the bullies, sparking reflection and change. What started as a small act has grown into a statewide initiative in Idaho, funding kindness programs in 62 schools and reaching over 35,000 children with anti-bullying and suicide prevention messages. Every September, kids wear bright yellow shirts reading “Kindness Begins with Me,” inspired by the original roses.

Melissa also speaks candidly about balancing career and motherhood, acknowledging that sometimes you can’t do it all — and that’s okay. She shares how seasons of life shift priorities, and how today, with more independence at home, she’s hitting her business goals harder than ever. She credits her success to leading with her heart, building meaningful relationships, and blending her creative side with the structure of the mortgage business.

We also dive into her views on personal growth, knowing when to close a chapter, and allowing life to lead you into new opportunities instead of chasing them from a place of lack. Melissa’s wisdom on abundance, fulfillment, and purpose will resonate with anyone navigating career shifts, entrepreneurship, or personal reinvention.

Whether you’re in real estate, a fellow entrepreneur, or simply looking for motivation to follow your calling, Melissa’s story is proof that with passion, heart, and a willingness to evolve, you can build both a thriving career and a life of impact.

Watch now to be inspired by Melissa’s journey, her mission to empower homebuyers, and her belief that kindness can truly change the world.