Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Unsell-Smith.
Hi Melissa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’m an individual that consistently thinks differently and likes to challenge the status quo. I’m also an impartial critic. These traits define me as an entrepreneur today. I’ve always had an innate sense that life should be easy, abundant, and joyful. Over my journey, I’ve leveraged my unique traits to build two technology businesses focused on automation and efficiency. I’ve always been an efficiency expert, and I’ll find the shortest path to the end goal while still delivering stellar results. Now, I’m at a moment in my entrepreneurial journey where I want to help other entrepreneurs unlock their potential quickly and in alignment with their fulfillment. I’m excited to help others ignite their clarity and intuition so that they can grow and flourish in their business at a rapid pace.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve been an entrepreneur for 23 years, and I’ve definitely experienced the highs and lows that come with owning a business. I’ve also made my fair share of mistakes. As I reflect on my journey, there have been moments when I neglected to trust my intuition. I would let outside input influence my next steps. In those moments, I let naivety and insecurity rule the show. Although it is important to leverage advice from others, I’ve now learned that I know my business like no one else does. I have to leverage my own decision-making compass to filter all the outside opinions and make decisions based on clarity and intuition.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the CEO of Catalytic Icon, a community that aims to unlock entrepreneurial efficiency and resiliency through Catalytic Conversations (TM) and Immersive Interactions (TM). Catalytic Icon allows entrepreneurs to engage in relevant conversations that aren’t happening anywhere else. We interact in a purposeful space of vulnerability and trust, a place where everyone can avoid recreating the wheel and solving problems on their own. We excel at merging ecosystems and creating an environment where diversity of thought activates ideas and resources to accelerate learning, growth, and impact. We activate the community through our virtual peer coaching shows and our in-person retreats.
The major benefits our entrepreneurs experience is unlocking a deeper sense of clarity and intuition while up-leveling with a community of like-minded peers. In our conversations, you quickly see where there are deficits in authenticity. As a result, everyone is accountable for showing their true self while being open to feedback as well as contributing to the community and their peers. That becomes a powerful force, especially when so much of our time is spent in digital environments where truth can be hard to discern and in which individuals are only presenting the best versions of themselves. We encourage courageous vulnerability to accelerate growth and connection.
There are an abundance of resources for entrepreneurs these days, which is incredible. One of the ways Catalytic Icon distinctively differentiates itself is by providing transformational interactions rather than transactional ones. We focus on quality over quantity, meaning we have a vetting process to ensure that entrepreneurs are aligned with our core pillars before inviting them to participate in our programs.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’m a fan of identifying someone you admire and asking them to be your mentor. It’s as simple as asking! Most people don’t ask, and the person whom you admire will most likely be extremely flattered. Besides engaging a mentor, I’m a huge advocate of turning inward to your inner resources and connecting with your true self. Doing so opens the aperture of awareness and will allow you to make decisions effortlessly and in alignment with your vision and goals. It’s perfectly fine to want to mimic and create the same success as your mentor but be cautious that creating your own goals and benchmarks for success is much more important. I caution to never let a mentor dictate your actions or next steps in business. Let the mentor be your mirror, reflecting back to you where you need to grow and sharpen your inner resources to move forward steadfastly.
To sharpen my inner resources, I go on a personal CEO retreat twice a year for a few days. I invest in this “powerful pause.” by disconnecting from technology, people, and mindless distractions. I enter stillness, and after the first day or two, my aperture of awareness expands. This is where I excavate old beliefs and things that no longer serve me. This is where I reconnect with my personal center of gravity, which allows me to navigate through my business life and personal life with more ease and grace. If you’d like to design your own personal CEO retreat, check out this free eBook I created: https://catalyticicon.com/offer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://catalyticicon.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catalytic_icon
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/catalytic-icon/
- Other: CEO Retreat eBook: https://catalyticicon.com/offer
Image Credits
Rahm Carrington
Sigma Librae
Melissa Unsell-Smith
Geekdom
