This event exceeded my expectations! I highly recommend that if you are hesitating, you go ahead and sign up! The accommodations were so relaxing, the support was amazing and I feel like I built life-long friendships. My writing and personal goals changed after this experience to include a more confident me! Melissa is an amazing person and her energy and kindness made the two days such a rewarding time. 

Sales & Marketing Executive, Inc. of Sioux Falls brings in speakers each month to provide education and motivation to our members. Melissa Johnson presented at one of these membership meetings and she was outstanding! Melissa shared a great message that was motivational, inspiring, and sincere. She has a very special way of connecting with the audience and keeping them engaged throughout her presentation. Melissa was great to work with and ensured that her presentation fit the goals of SME and our members. I would highly recommend Melissa as your next keynote speaker! 

I am firmly convinced that teachers (especially in high poverty schools) need many more presentations such as Melissa’s throughout the year to maintain morale. Her presentation was one of the best I have been to in my 18 years of teaching and I really feel like she did a good job of being real and authentic and not "phoning it in" as it can be so easy to do. She is truly a gifted speaker and it is great to see people like her living their dreams!

As a regional corporate trainer for a franchise group of 34 restaurants, I have the responsibility of planning our annual holiday meeting and our leadership team wanted a keynote speaker to speak about leadership. After some research, we decided Melissa Johnson was right for us, and boy were we right! Melissa was prompt and clear in all communication, and even went the extra mile by meeting with me in person prior to the event to learn how she could help us achieve our goals. In addition, she made a point to visit our restaurants in advance so she could gain a firmer grasp of our company’s culture. The day of the event, she arrived early with her team to make sure all the logistical details were seamless, and her presentation was stunning! She engaged with the audience using fun stories, activities, videos, and examples to illustrate key concepts and we had a flood of positive feedback from Melissa’s message afterward. It was rewarding to see her connect with our leaders before, during, and after the event – I would definitely recommend Melissa Johnson to anyone looking to challenge their team, lift their culture, or inspire their people with fresh ideas

The Melissa J. Creative Fall Writing workshop was a transformative experience that combined writing, nature, self reflection, and trust building.  Much like going to camp when I was young, this retreat gave me a rare opportunity to learn new things, foster my creativity, and make new and deep friendships. In our adult lives, these experiences don’t happen much, if ever.  I highly recommend this retreat for those who are exploring new levels in their seasoned writing practice, as well as for those who never want to expand their writing beyond their own private journal work. The time that I spent with myself and other creative spirits at the retreat has benefited my inner life as I reflect back, consider the present, and look forward on my life’s journey. 

I highly recommend Melissa as a speaker because listening to her is the equivalent of reading the entire book Chicken Soup for the Soul. I find her to be inspiring and relatable with the uncanny ability to speak directly to my heart.

Melissa's story was very real - down to earth. She kept her audience engaged throughout the presentation. She motivated all of our staff to get moving in a positive direction. We'll all be able to hit the ground running when our students arrive tomorrow. It was a pleasure having Melissa here to help us to open the school year!

I went into this writing retreat a little (lot) nervous. I’m not a writer, I’m not a journal-er, what do I have to say to myself, let alone other people? Will I provide value to others, will this be of value to me? I am SO glad that I invested in myself and trusted Melissa to bring together a group of women from all walks of life that would pour into each other in the most beautiful way. I not only came away from the retreat loving myself more, but with new friends, and a love for the quiet only found in nature, under a new moon, and early in the morning as the sun awakens. I would 10/10 recommend this to anyone and everyone. Go into it with an open mind and an open heart – you won’t be disappointed.

Melissa brings something special to every audience she engages with. Her passion is evident as she shares her personal journey of triumph, hope and perseverance. Her energy is contagious, and participants are sure to walk away renewed in their work and personal life. Melissa is a professional speaker who is able to tackle serious topics with a light-hearted approach. She has provided numerous presentations at Avera Health and is a favorite among many. She does not disappoint as she provides hands on strategies for participants to be able to implement in their own lives. Her transparency about work, life, and faith are inspiring and people are naturally drawn to her genuine spirit. Her areas of expertise include service, being true to your purpose, and maintaining balance.

Melissa Johnson was simply OUTSTANDING as our keynote speaker for the 2017 American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women event.  Each year, over 400 important business leaders and healthcare professionals gather for a night of inspiration and education to raise funds, build passion and ultimately, save lives against heart disease and stroke.  Melissa’s message was both entertaining and inspirational!  She was a key component in our success that evening.

Melissa pours her heart into everything she does in life, from cupcakes filled with love and sweetness, to caring and coaching her staff, to working in the community. I have admired Melissa over the last ten years as I have watched her grow her business. She is brave and seeks to serve. Melissa is a dynamic speaker and truly cares about her audience. She shares life stories, struggles, faith and successes from the stage with a flair that invites audience members to meet her in person. I highly recommend Melissa as your next keynote speaker.

Melissa's retreat was wonderful. The location in the Ponca State Park was perfect for a retreat, quiet space and lovely trails to walk. The retreat itself was so good, time with writing prompts and discussion, time to reflect and write, and free time to recharge. I would definitely go to another one of Melissa's retreats in the future!