We had the good fortune of connecting with Melanie Alves-Ventrella and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melanie, how do you think about risk?

I grew up in the countryside of France, near cows and sheep. I learned really fast how to take care of myself and by 17, I moved into an apartment in Bordeaux, finished my culinary high school degree and found a job. A few years later I wanted to be bilingual for work. I almost moved to Australia but insurance was expensive and ended up in the USA  for a student visa instead.

During that time I met my now husband, almost 6 years ago, but had to go back to France and continue my career in hospitality for 2 years. I finally was able to join him for good 2 years ago in Colorado in the middle of the pandemic.
In March 2020 I was approved for my visa, so I quit my job and my apartment, but unfortunately because of the pandemic crisis, Trump put a ban against “flying from European countries’. After weeks of staying at friends’ houses I had to look for options to come back to the USA before my Visa expired.

I met an online group of other French expats in a similar dilemma, and we were able to find a loophole to enter the country that would mean quarantining Mexico for 2 weeks before entering the USA. To add more complication, French airlines were not allowing us to leave the country by fear of repatriation.

As for many, it was a difficult time because I left without saying goodbye to my family. The quarantine was strict in France at the time and we didn’t know anything about the disease yet.

Since entering Colorado, I switched careers after realizing my dream of learning and working in real estate. So I studied hard to earn my Real Estate license and pursue my new path.

Risk has always been a big part of my life, it basically dictates it all. Adding comments from relatives’ fears about my risks make decisions more difficult, however I learned that believing and keeping hope in yourself makes you confident when you face risks.


Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

I work as a real estate agent for JPAR Modern Real Estate in north metro Denver, Colorado. I previously worked 8 years in hospitality in France as a waitress, worked in a bakery, receptionist, manager. Also s an energy advisor for a construction company and an aupair when i was first in the USA.

I was dreaming about owning my own restaurant or hotel. But I was also passionate in real estate, helping and learning in investments property and finding new energy savings and solutions.
With the challenges of the past 2 years in the industry and my move to Denver, I decided that it was time for a change. With the emotional and financial support of my husband, I passed my license. It was tough, especially since English is a second language for me, and after 10 years without studying.

I’m learning everyday, doing my best at staying honest and fair for people. Colorado is a competitive place to work, and it’s not exactly easy to build a business when we are not from here. It is also one of my qualities, having a different perspective, vision and a strong French accent. I’m also feeling proud and happier by being a woman entrepreneur in this era.

I think my abilities on social media are stronger than other agents, and I can reach more Colorado residents by being myself.

We have to respect a lot of rules as agents, but showing our differences is making us real.

My brand is myself + working in a great brokerage who communicates a lot with technology, and having help from my mentor who has years of experience makes it easy to not give up.

The seller’s market is the challenge for every buyer right now, but they have to keep faith and patience in themselves and their agents. Especially with spring coming. Everyone loves to move during this time.

Colorado is such a beautiful state to live and work, sunny sky, changes of temperatures and pretty snow. Home is where your heart is!

Nothing is easy in life, and even less switching career, and country, in a pandemic . . . but my advice would be to not give up, use appropriate rest time, and believe in yourself. Stop listening to negative opinions. Most important thing that helped me is to have fun and laugh – it’s healthy !


Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First things first, I would hope that she or them comes in May or June, to go have drinks in Improper City, a brewery in Denver. Then catch a baseball game and watch a beautiful sunset with some nachos and queso. To get the natural touch of Colorado, we would drive in the morning through Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge and hope to spot some deers and buffalo while trying to get the nicest picture to post.

Maybe a 2 day trip to Estes Park to be more adventurous, a big hike in Rocky Mountain National Park and a dinner at Bird & Jim to not miss their trout.
I would love to try Bad Axe Throwing with them or visit the aquarium.
Boulder would be on the list too, shopping for some art, and testing the atmosphere of the town. If hungry, get a BLT sandwich in the famous Lindsay’s Boulder Deli.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband deserves all the shoutout. He is amazing and the nicest man and smart. In 2 years he welcomed me, showed me Colorado, worked a lot for both of us and obtained 2 promotions at work. Supports me everyday and accepts to adopt a rescue cat, even if now she is stuck to his feet all the time.

Also my friend Oriana Moucan who traveled with me during the pandemic. We met in the US Embassy in Paris, she heard I was from Bordeaux like her so we started chatting and she now lives in Missouri with her husband. She is a sweetheart, brave, wine passionate, supportive and helps her husband who owns a company called Reeway, brilliant and creative ideas for fashion shoes.

Website: https://melaniealvesventrella.jpar.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melalvesventrella/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-alves-ventrella/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mavjparagent/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.