Meet Your Ambassador: Melahni Ake, President & Founder, Everyday Leaders, LLC
- When did you become an Ambassador?
In the spring of 2023 - How has being an Ambassador been beneficial to you and/or your company?
Being an ambassador has allowed me to serve members in a bigger way. I love getting to learn about new members' businesses and most importantly connecting them to other members that they can collaborate with. It has been such a blessing to serve. It has also allowed me to be a voice for our members that have unique needs to help them find the right person inside of the chamber staff that can assist them. - Why did you want to become an Ambassador?
I wanted to become an ambassador so I could learn more about the full services that are offered. It’s the old mantra from my medical device career – see one, do one, teach one. I wanted to learn everything that was available so I could teach others the benefits. - Do you have a favorite memory as an Ambassador?
Well, I have two. One is when we had our ambassador picnic and I was asked to help organize an activity in the outdoor picnic area at Rascal’s Fun Zone. I chose to have a RAW EGG competition, and it was so much fun to watch the teams strategize, coach and cheer for each other. Only one team dropped their egg! It was so fun. The other memory I love to share is a new member reached out and asked me for a resource. I connected the two members and they have been working together and collaborating with clients for over a year now. - What advice do you have for professionals trying to connect with other professionals.
GET OUT OF THE HOUSE! It’s your responsibility to share your passion with over 700 other members! - What is your favorite networking tip?
Ask questions and LISTEN. You will be surprised what others can teach you. At large events, don’t try to meet everyone. It only takes one person that can change the rest of your life. Don’t look through that person, look at them and keep your conversation focused. Remember networking is all about others. Write down one remarkable thing you learned about that person and be intentional about connecting them to a resource that will add value to them. It might be sending them a book title to read, an article that you thought was interesting or an introduction to someone they need to meet. - What was your first job?
HAHA, I was a CLOWN, really! I worked on the Mc Donald’s train car as PJ the Happy Engineer, and we hosted birthday parties for kids of all ages. It was a great job because we got to dress up, have fun and make people smile. I was also Hamburglar in the Greenwood parade. That was a great job! I think that’s why I love facilitating team trainings to this day. It’s always about creating experiences that people will remember. - What is something you like to do outside of the business setting? Do you have any hobbies?
Well, we used to have a sailboat on Lake Michigan so that was a blast. I’ve played competitive Ice Hockey since I was 7. As work post COVID keeps me busy, I love community building, hosting women’s networking events, and collaborating with other community leaders, writing books, and speaking. It has become my passion. I am always up for a great conversation – call me, I’ll buy you a cup of coffee! - What is your favorite vacation and why?
MAUI, hands down. When I was working with the Mayo Clinic launching a medical device product, I was on the product team and our 7-day conference was at the RITZ Carlton in Maui, yes, I’m not kidding. And because I was already there…..I mean WHY NOT STAY? So, my husband Joe was able to come with me for a whole two weeks. One week of work for One week of vacation! WOW, unforgettable. If you’ve never been above the clouds, you have to experience Haleakala. - What makes you a raving fan of Aspire?
Knowing that a resource is just a call away, it’s not what you get, it’s what you give. Aspire allows our members to access legislators, provides access to professional education, networking events, sponsor visibility and has a group of passionate people who want to make a difference in Johnson County.
https://web.aspirejohnsoncounty.com/Communications-Media/Everyday-Leaders-5072