Melanie Curtis

Hi! Tell us about yourself

Who am I? We talking the vastness of human consciousness, or are we talking cat mom who loves all things ridiculous? Haha both are true.

I deeply love people and am infinitely fascinated by the expansiveness of our human experience. This undeniably underpins all the things I’ve done in my life and career.  

I’m an art lover, collector and champion for artists and all creatives. I feel like entrepreneurship is this super badass, FUN (Type 2 fun) creative project that I get to do. I am a die-hard Weird Al fan, a passionate advocate for women and girls to take up unapologetic space in the world and a committed public voice and personal support in service to the psychedelic healing movement. Reach out if you have questions on any of these things.

I cherish my family (including my chosen family), love skiing (who wants to go?? Seriously, message me.), loathe small talk but also love dumb jokes and nonsense. Nonsense is something to be prioritized I say. Let’s hang out in our PJ’s in my living room that’s set up for #salonvibes and come up with the best ideas of our lives that we’ll also actually do.

Fun fact:  My first keynote speech was in 2009 when I was hired by a Canadian insurance brokerage after being the soccer mom stunt person freefalling with no parachute (it was a hidden rig, happy to explain this if you’re curious) wearing pearls and a content smile, eventually landing on the pink blanket which represented their brand catching you. In order to get this landing shot, I also had to do a non-skydiving high-fall stunt off a 40-foot scaffolding landing on a big air-bag like Tom Cruise in Mission freakin Impossible– the goal, landing flat on my back still smiling in my pearls. It’s fascinating the body awareness one can have as time slows down when you are falling 40 feet enough to lean sliiiiightly back such that your face is up, and OH YEAH… smile. Hahaha… funniest thing though is that the stunts were the least of my worries, the keynote is where I really had no idea what I was doing.

Tell us about your business

My business is entirely remote and has been since its inception nearly 20 years ago. I am a keynote speaker, life coach and will do the occasional skydiving project if it’s something that’s values-aligned or just sounds really cool and fun. As a speaker, I am the high-energy, heart-centered and funny opening or closing keynote or workshop facilitator. Financial services and insurance companies hire me often for their conferences or professional development team offsites. I am the non-industry, inspirational, mind-opening, professional athlete who can speak with vast experience, relatable humanity and practical takeaways on peak performance, fear, moving through discomfort, building support systems, working with our intuition, etc. Women-centric associations and organizations also hire me often, where a strong woman with a powerful voice and presence can invite other women through their fear and limited thinking about what’s possible for them. 

Concisely stated, I speak on accessing our untapped potential. The stories I share about the skydiving world record and my own comical/ridiculous (in the good way) life choices and challenges usually resonate strongly with driven professionals drawn to my energy and intensity. 

Where did you grow up?

Dexter, NY. It’s so far north I joke I’m Canadian.

How long have you lived in SOMa?

2 years. I lived in Summit for 7 before that.

How many years have you been in business?

20 years

What excites you the most about what you do?

Connecting with real humans in a real way. Both in the hard stuff and in the play. It’s also super fun getting to see my own growth through the things I challenge myself to do, and getting to see the difference sharing that often makes for others too.

What inspired you to start your own business?

The idea that I could be completely mobile, completely FREE was wildly inspiring and motivating to me. This was a long time ago before digital nomads and the concept of remote work was commonplace. I had this vision of being able to do a client call in the basement then go upstairs and have birthday cake with my Mom. I spent many years far away from my family pursuing my skydiving goals and career, and I am wildly grateful how now having a truly location-independent business has allowed me to be with my family so much more over the last 15+ years. Priceless.

Do you have any magic tricks that you use in your business that you swear by and could share with others?

I would be remiss if I didn’t share this magic trick we did skydiving the other day, just sayin. 

What have you learned about yourself since becoming an entrepreneur?

I am absolutely built for it. 

What 4 items are essential for you to do the work you do?

My drive and commitment to finish things. Days with big blocks of time for focus and deep work - I’m talking zero calls, nada.

My CRM and backend systems (game-changerrrrrr), including my frequent and ongoing engagement with it.

My support team (mastermind, coach, therapist, peers, friends, Matil).

What's the weirdest thing on your desk right now?

A piece of wood painted green so they could CG in the drink cart I was freefalling with in an Emerald Nuts commercial. 

If your business had a theme song, what would it be and why?

Legends haha… this is how legends are made. It’s not just my speaker walk-out song, it’s how I feel about every single one of my clients too, just sayin.

Share a memorable encounter with a fellow entrepreneur or industry figure.

I often tell the story of the time I met Weird Al after stunt-doubling an old lady for a project of his. I was the least cool I have ever been and it was awesome. Hit me up if you want to hear the longer story haha. We also got the opportunity to do a demonstration jump for Megan Rapinoe’s jersey retirement ceremony in Luman Field stadium in Seattle. Given how much I respect her and her work being a voice for all marginalized communities, getting to give her one of our jerseys and share a moment was very cool. 

3 fave instagram follows and why. 

Zach Progrob - obsession.

Abram Engal - Kurt and Gary are his cats and I am fully invested in their lives, duh. 

Siegfried & Joy - the joke never gets old. Ever.

Best biz book/podcast you’d recommend:

10x is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. But really I could recommend so many. Hit me up if you want other ideas.

Do you have a favorite local store or business that you wish more people knew about?

Maribeth Thoreaux is hilarious and delightful and hosting poetry open mic nights, come join us for one of those!