In Conversation with Melissa Machat, NLP Business and Mindset Consultant

Describe your business in a few words?

I teach high powered entrepreneurs how to elevate their mindset, accelerate sales, and make the perfect hire in their business so they can scale with ease by empowering you into action.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I've always wanted to coach, speak, and teach and never realized I could create my own business to do just that. I've spent years struggling with my own mindset and looking for answers to fix what I thought was broken, and at my first NLP training I learned that nothing was wrong with me and there was nothing to fix, I was just in the wrong role. I want to share this knowledge and tools with as many people as possible because life is too short to be miserable.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

Originally I started out in theatre, dance, and stage management and I have a degree in Theatre from the University of Southern California. I moved to Las Vegas to audition for shows and decided it was time to get a "real job" about 6 months later which led me to getting my real estate license in 2009. The last 12 years has been building my real estate business and learning about mindset, sales skills, leadership, hiring, and building wealth and I'm now taking everything I've learned to teach others how to get out of their own way and build their business with ease.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I've always wanted to be on a stage (on Broadway) and own multiple businesses and was a natural salesperson always selling something even as a child, so it's fun seeing everything coming full circle.

Take us back to when you first launched your business, what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

My marketing strategy was to teach and utilize my network of real estate agents which I would say overall seemed to work, and when COVID happened and everything shut down last March I was only about 4 months into this new venture which allowed me to pivot and start online classes instead. What didn't go as planned was not being clear on what I was offering so I would teach and then didn't really have a solid offer or system in place to capture these new audiences. That was the biggest lesson this past year was to make sure I'm clear about my entire lead funnel and the value I'm offering and have systems in place as I'm building an audience and awareness.

We always learn the most from our mistakes, share a time with us that you made a mistake or had a challenging time in business and what you learned from it?

The biggest mistake that seems to repeat itself regardless of the business I'm in is following someone else's definition of success and not staying true to myself. It's really easy to compare yourself to others and listen to everyone's advice about what you "should" be doing and I've done this many times where I end up feeling stuck, confused, and lost. What I learned from that is the answers are already within me and when I gave myself space to really reflect and figure out what I wanted I realized I was going down the wrong path and that's why it wasn't working. As soon as I remembered my vision and got clear on what I want, things started to happen really fast. If something feels like it's not working or you're stuck, that's a sign to slow down, reflect, and make sure you are being true to yourself.

What is the accomplishment you are the most proud of to date?

My Neuro-Linguistic Programming Master Practitioner Certification. It was an intense two week course and I use the tools I learned every day.

When hiring for your team, what is your go-to interview question? Please share any hiring tips you can share from your experience?

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I want to know if our vision is in alignment and can I help them achieve it when they join my organization. I have tons of hiring tips and I'm creating a group program to help entrepreneurs with hiring because it can be extremely overwhelming without having a solid method to follow. My biggest tip is getting clear on everything this person will be doing, and why they would want to join your world. The secret is to attract the right person to you because when they read your job ad they should be inspired and excited and want to do whatever it takes to join you because it matches their values and vision.

How has your business or industry been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic?

It's actually given me the opportunity to go online and learn about this digital world I didn't know existed.

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

I am creating group programs around hiring, leadership, sales skills, mindset, and building wealth and the foundations and mindset behind building a business. My program around hiring your ideal assistant is coming out in the next few weeks and I cannot wait to make the hiring process easy for entrepreneurs!

What is the biggest lesson you have learned in 2020?

You are not meant to do this alone and finding your tribe matters.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting your business?

Stay true to who you are and the life you are creating, and once you're clear find the right mentor or coach to help you make it happen. If you get stuck or it isn't working, something is usually out of alignment.

How have you managed to stay grounded this year?

Lots of breaks outside and added meditation to my routine. Allowing myself more space and time to slow down and reflect.

Do you believe in work/life balance? What are some of your best tips?

I do believe in work/life balance and it starts with getting clear around the life you want to create and why. Once you have that answer, what is your ideal schedule? What time do you want to start and stop working? Do you want weekends off? Half day Friday? You start by building the life you want and fit your business into it, balance doesn't happen when you work 24/7 and don't have any boundaries around your schedule.

What's something our audience would be surprised to learn about you?

I've always been extremely adaptable and done whatever it takes to make it happen. I started working random jobs as soon as someone was willing to pay me and by the time I got my real estate license at 24 yrs old I believe it was my 21st job. The most exciting one was dealing blackjack in a Las Vegas casino.

What are your top 3 tips to stay productive each day?

Make sure you are clear on what actually matters and will move your business forward, take breaks, multi-tasking doesn't work so focus on 1 thing for at least 30 minutes before switching.

What does being an Entreprenista mean to you?

Staying in alignment with who I am and building a business and a life that provides freedom and showing others how to do the same.