the vision
a legacy defined by relationships, not accolades
the mission
to help you cultivate your team’s potential through leadership coaching and elevated operating systems
the CEOffice is a leadership and operations firm. Why leadership and operations versus focusing on one? Because together they help you reinforce your team’s potential. Transforming them from task-takers to team enhancers. As a result, your team is more engaged to create, collaborate, and serve clients.
Leadership coaching supports your relationships. Operations coaching ensures you have the resources to set them up for success.
the CEOffice was founded in January 2015 in Chicago. Since then I worked with founders of accounting boutiques, floral design firms, indie media companies, interior design firms, marketing agencies, photographers, and more.
The most successful partnerships are with leaders who have a heart for people. They commit to making time for relationships and strive for excellence in their work.
values practiced in my work
Lead with Excellence
attention to detail, discipline, show instead of tell
Embrace Challenges
be curious, courage for truth, friction refines, think big
Celebrate Small Things
practice gratitude, plant seeds, find beauty in the ordinary
Shine Bright
be the good, create hope, inner confidence, light the way
Choose Love over Fear
anticipate needs, guide with grace, seek to understand vs. defend
Meet Melissa
leadership & operations coach
I provide leadership and operations coaching for leaders of service-based small businesses with teams.
We meet weekly to identify ways to improve team performance and client interactions. My relationship-focused process requires your courage and consistency. The courage to have difficult conversations and the consistency necessary for growth.
Why did I go into coaching? In 2014 at a conference, I had my AHA moment. A small business owner shared her struggle in finding and keeping talent. Sitting there in the 4th row, I knew I could help. The combination of my leadership experience + passion for helping others excel + knowing people would pay for help was the catalyst to start the CEOffice.
The disruption to the workforce since 2020 adds fuel to the fire.
We need great leaders who care about their team and clients!
If you want to better serve your team and clients, you’re in the right place.
Let’s lead with excellence!
shine bright,
Melissa
Ready to move forward in your journey?
Where You’ve Heard or Seen Me
BLOGS
- Voyage Kansas City (2024)
- Visme (2019)
- Voyage Chicago (2018)
- Cedar & Rush (2015)
WORKSHOPS
- Design Leadership Network Forum (2022)
- MeetEdgar (2019)
- Event Business Virtual Summit (2019)
- Trouvaille Workshop (2017, 2016)
- Fill My Cup Retreat (2017)
- Collegiately Creative Conference – Iowa State University (2016)
- Nashville Wedding Planners Retreat (2016)
- Go Blog Social (2015)
looking to add a leadership coach to your podcast roster or next event?
small things I appreciate
Favorite Flowers
lily of the valley, lilacs, hyacinths, neroli
Morning Coffee
Couldn’t live without
weekly paper planner
Favorite destination
Deia, Mallorca
Favorite verse
“whatever is true, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things” Phil 4:8
How I like to spend my time
with loved ones, reading, or keeping up with the NFL
Favorite color
indigo blue
On repeat
Miles Davis, Rupert Gregson-Williams, Kygo, Lainey Wilson
Currently loving
classical architecture
Inspired by
great love and people who pursue excellence in their craft
Preview
Leadership Clips
If you’re unfamiliar with my coaching style and leadership philosophies, grab a cup of coffee and listen in on these clips of conversations with colleagues.