Oct 2024 – Present · 1 yr 7 mos · Hybrid

• "Taking the "EW" out of Emotional Women"
• Welcome to The Emotional Women, where we turn emotions into your business’s secret weapon... no “EW” about it! We’re here to help companies recognize and harness the incredible power of emotional intelligence for real, measurable success. From decision-making to productivity, we guide you in understanding how emotions fuel results and bring out the best in your team.
• Our approach is packed with dynamic leadership development, breakthrough strategies for overcoming obstacles, and building communication skills that improve relationships across the board. Whether it’s helping your team connect better, collaborate effortlessly, or tackle challenges head-on, we make sure emotional intelligence becomes a cornerstone of your culture.
• If you're ready to ditch the “ew” and turn emotions into your superpower, partner with The Emotional Women! Together, we'll inspire, empower, and create a work culture that thrives.
• #TheEmotionalWomen

Sep 2023 – Present · 2 yrs 8 mos · Bellingham, Washington, United States · On-site

• Leading a high-performing sales team in a niche retail environment serving motorcycle enthusiasts. Consistently meeting and exceeding sales quotas and KPIs.
• Driving store performance into the national Top 10 through hands-on sales development, coaching, real-time KPI tracking, and employee development.
• Growing membership sales revenue by over 2500% and exceeding plan by 1000% growth year-over-year through in-store sales strategies, performance optimization, and team engagement.
• Serving as the District Ambassador for two separate membership & financing initiatives, coaching peers, teams, and collaborating across districts to share best practices and performance strategies.
• Overseeing merchandising, shipping and receiving, inventory management, loss orevention, and all daily processes to ensure smooth operations.
• Delivering exceptional customer experiences through customized service, consultative selling, continuous team training, strategic scheduling, and high-quality service delivery.
• Hosting monthly community engagement events, managing budgets, catering, promotions, and hosting; increasing attendance from 15 to an average of 100 bikes per event.

Nov 2022 – Present · 3 yrs 6 mos · United States · Remote

• ☕️ Coffee Chats with Melissa Houston
• Part morning meeting, part mindset reset, always human, hopeful, and honest.
• Who is this for?
• Leaders, professionals, creatives, and changemakers who want more from their mornings, more clarity, more direction, and more connection.
• Whether you're rebuilding, rebranding, or just trying to keep going with purpose and joy, this space is for you.
• What do we do here?
• We slow down to speed up.
• We check in on our goals, boundaries, mindset, values, and energy...
• The stuff no one teaches us to track.
• We talk about careers, chaos, and choices.
• We coach through hard things.
• We bring color and compassion to big questions.
• Think of it like homeroom for grown-ups, but with better coffee & real-life.
• Where does it happen?
• Right here on LinkedIn Live and in real time.
• No fancy setup, just honest conversation and deep reflection.
• When?
• Every Saturday morning, from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Pacific.
• Because starting your weekend with clarity beats playing catch-up on Monday.
• Why does this matter?
• Because adults need space to think, feel, plan, and process, just like kids do.
• Because your career and your humanity aren’t separate.
• Because community, coaching, and curiosity are tools for transformation.
• How do we show up?
• With coffee, curiosity, color-coded thoughts, and a willingness to get a little messy.
• We bring our messy selves, our wins, our doubts, our hopes, and we leave with a little more clarity and a lot more support.
• This is not a show.
• It’s a conversation.
• A classroom.
• A community.
• A chance to grow, together.
• ☕️ Saturdays | 6–8am PT | Live on LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube
• #CoffeeChatsWithMelissaHouston

Apr 2015 – Present · 11 yrs 1 mo · United States · Remote

• At Melissa Houston Coaching & Consulting, I empower individuals and executives to unlock their full potential and achieve meaningful success. By providing personalized coaching, I help clients navigate career transitions, enhance their leadership skills, and foster stronger relationships, ultimately leading to greater happiness and fulfillment in their lives.
• Co-author of two internationally best-selling collaborative books centered on emotional intelligence, personal empowerment, and human potential.
• Partnering with founders, executives, and small business owners to provide high-impact consulting, operational guidance, and coaching that drives long-term growth and team alignment.
• Delivering leadership training and mindset coaching to professionals navigating business growth, career transitions, or operational challenges.
• Designing clarity-based systems for planning, onboarding, documentation, and performance tracking tailored to each client’s scale and industry.
• Supporting early-stage business development, brand positioning, and internal process optimization, drawing from hands-on leadership experience.
• Leading compliance audits, process improvements, and team development initiatives in sectors including staffing, screening, retail, and service.
• Providing direct coaching and fractional-style support across onboarding, hiring, talent evaluation, and performance management.
• Facilitating strategy sessions and workshops focused on scaling operations, improving retention, and clarifying mission-aligned goals.
• Frequently engaged as a speaker and facilitator for leadership retreats, internal events, and community development programs.

Oct 2022 – Aug 2023 · 10 mos · Oklahoma, United States · Remote

• Directed daily operations for a regulated background screening company, overseeing hiring, scheduling, inventory management, and customer experience while driving revenue through consultative sales and account expansion.
• Led outbound and relationship-based sales efforts, including client onboarding, SaaS/CRM platform training, contract renewals, upselling, and cross-selling services to increase account value.
• Managed a diverse client portfolio, maintaining long-term relationships through proactive communication, customized solutions, and high service standards.
• Designed and implemented internal workflows to improve efficiency, adoption, and retention.
• Oversaw national quality assurance processes across all U.S. counties and parishes, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and delivering timely, accurate results.
• Collaborated with court clerks, vendors, and executive leadership to address service issues, negotiate favorable terms, and maintain SLAs.
• Conducted employment and education verifications as part of full-service background screening, reinforcing accuracy and client trust.

Apr 2015 – Oct 2022 · 7 yrs 6 mos · Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States · Remote

• Led sales, compliance, onboarding, adoption, account management and expansion, contract renewals, user experience, and operational strategy with a strong focus on revenue growth and client retention.
• Drove outbound and consultative sales efforts, including upselling and cross-selling additional services to existing accounts, resulting in a 346% annual revenue increase.
• Managed a portfolio of 100+ client and vendor relationships across multiple industries, fostering long-term partnerships through proactive outreach and tailored solutions.
• Oversaw national quality assurance for county and parish court research across all 3,000+ U.S. jurisdictions, ensuring regulatory compliance and fast turnaround times of 24–48 hours.
• Collaborated with vendors and court clerks to resolve discrepancies, maintain SLAs, and negotiate favorable terms, conditions, and contract rates.
• Executed verifications for employment, education, and credentials to ensure accuracy, legal compliance, and client trust.
• Led customer success initiatives, including CRM and SaaS platform management, workflow optimization, and custom client configurations to improve adoption and satisfaction.

Jan 2013 – Jan 2015 · 2 yrs · United States · On-site

• Built foundational marketing, brand, compliance, and sales structure for startup launch, driving early market penetration and revenue growth.
• Led outbound sales initiatives, including prospecting calls, targeted outreach campaigns, and relationship-building strategies to generate new business. Account management and customer success focus.
• Delivered product demos, onboarding sessions, and training to convert prospects into loyal clients and expand existing accounts.
• Executed upselling and customer retention strategies, increasing account value and improving long-term client satisfaction.
• Supported regulatory readiness while contributing to early-stage business development and sales pipeline growth.
• Directed national QA coverage across 3,000+ counties and parishes, ensuring compliance with local legal standards while maintaining high client service levels.
• Managed vendor partnerships, negotiated agreements, and communicated directly with courts to meet strict turnaround targets.
• Conducted employment, education, and credential verifications with accuracy, supporting both compliance and client trust.

Jan 2010 – Jan 2013 · 3 yrs · United States · On-site

• Established and launched the second branch as the first hire, defining operational workflows, office setup, staffing strategy, and local sales approach.
• Built and maintained a strong client base through targeted outbound sales calls, networking, and relationship-driven business development.
• Developed a robust local talent pipeline by sourcing, screening, and placing candidates across industries, including manufacturing, administrative, light industrial, and professional roles.
• Delivered tailored sales presentations and hiring proposals to meet client needs, securing contracts and expanding accounts.
• Acted as liaison between clients and candidates, ensuring strong alignment on role fit, contract terms, and onboarding processes.
• Executed end-to-end candidate management, including interviews, reference checks, verifications (employment, education, credentials), and compliance documentation.
• Implemented and optimized ATS/CRM tracking systems to streamline placement, improve reporting accuracy, and support sales follow-up.
• Drove customer retention through regular outreach, proactive issue resolution, and upselling of additional staffing services.
• Served as the go-to consultant for crisis placements, same-day staffing, and urgent labor needs, ensuring uninterrupted operations for client partners.
• Collaborated with headquarters to share best practices, refine regional operations, and align on sales strategies.
• Represented the business in the community through active Chamber of Commerce participation and service as a Chamber Ambassador (Envoy), generating leads through local engagement.