Meet Melanie Donohoue | Business Coach, Speaker & Digital Marketing Mentor

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

Hi Melanie, what is the most important factor behind your success?
President Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy”. All too often as entrepreneurs we compare ourselves, our journey, the rate of our success, or even our processes to others. The most important factor behind my success has been being authentically myself. Entrepreneurship is hard and you’re required to wear many hats on a daily basis. Additionally, it is significantly more difficult if you’re trying to be like someone else. When I finally put the blinders on, stopped comparing what I was doing and HOW I was doing it to those around me, and leaned into my own strengths and uniqueness, that’s when I saw my business flourish. In fact, when I shut out the noise and started doing business authentically MY way I 10x’d my business revenue in a year. And I’ve helped other clients double or triple their revenue as well. I’m a firm believer there is not one single path to success and as a mom this is even more true! Simplicity and staying true to your own priorities is key.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I coach entrepreneur moms to simplify in order to amplify their business. What sets me apart is that I never look at your business in a vacuum. As a mom, motherhood does not end simply because you’re a business owner. You don’t have to drop one identity in order to pick up another; it’s all connected and I help you find the balance. We begin with your priorities in life as well as business, narrow down the ONE thing you need to focus on to see the results you want and then craft a customized plan to help you get there, all without sacrificing time with your kids, sleep or sanity in the process.

For too long I believed that I had to do MORE to achieve more, and that led to burnout and resentment of the business. My lightbulb moment was realizing that 20% of my efforts led to 80% of my results. Meaning that if I focused more on what tasks were the 20%, I could let go of so many other things and see the results I wanted without the burnout. It IS possible to build a successful business and be a present mom. Welcome to my small corner of the world where we make it possible!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Welcome to Colorado where the sun is (almost) always shining, the sky is blue and the activities are plentiful!
First up, we’d host you at our house with some delicious homemade pizza. We make the dough ourselves and my husband has mastered grilling pizza to perfection! After that, there are so many fun places we’d love to show you!

Places to go:
– Red Rocks Amphitheater – great for breathtaking views, hiking, a summer concert or Yoga on the Rocks (a personal summer favorite of mine)
– Westlands Park – a mom’s dream come true. Amazing playground for kids of all ages, huge field to run around and a splash pad for the summer!
– Garden of the Gods – the visitor center is incredibly fun and don’t forget to drive the loop and hop out at Balanced Rock for a picture and/or some hiking!
– Denver Zoo – great for kids and adults alike
– Denver Museum of Nature & Science – a favorite among my boys
– Exploring mountain towns like Winter Park or Breckenridge (Breck is especially beautiful in the fall for a day trip) or to hit the slopes skiing or snowboarding

Places to eat:
– Rio Grande in Lone Tree is a family favorite. The food is delicious and kids eat free on Sundays!
– Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar – great vibe & delicious food (We love the SouthGlenn location)
– Snooze – amazing breakfast/brunch place with a menu to die for and delicious morning cocktails
– Tuk Tuk Thai – our favorite Thai place and a go-to takeout option for us (the DTC location is our fav)

Drinks:
– Indulge Bistro & Wine Bar – their wine flights are my favorite and I haven’t had anything on their menu I didn’t like!
– Flats Beer Garden – fun atmosphere and great view of the Flat Irons mountains
– 303 Coffee or Enchanted Grounds are two great coffee shops we love to visit to relax, catch up, have a day time date, or even get some work done

A day trip to Golden is fun too!
– walk along Clear Creek
– visit Coors Brewery (the tasting room is super fun – but be sure to book ahead)
– Visit the Golden Mill for great eats and good drinks too

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Thriving as an entrepreneur requires a grit and determination like no other profession. It has a way of shining a light on every area of weakness or crack in our confidence. I’ve found that great books + mentorship makes such a huge difference. One of the books that has made the biggest impact on my business is Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. This book taught me the importance of organizing my business finances in such a way to prioritize profit and pay myself while keeping business expenses in check. This prevented me from falling into the trap of spending every hard earned dime made back into my business and feeling as though business was a drain rather than a benefit to myself and my family. Additionally, one of my best mentors was Kelly Ruta. As a 20 year clinical psychotherapist turned coach, she helps entrepreneurs unpack and rewire the limiting beliefs that keep us stuck in our businesses. Because of her, I finally let go of the concept that I needed to do or be whatever others thought I should be and instead stepped into my own next level of confidence and the iteration of business that brings me so much joy!

Finally, while I know it’s not something everyone has, I’m blessed to have a strong support system at home as I navigated the challenges of learning how to become my own boss. My husband, Collin, has had unwavering belief in me from day one and even our 4 boys have been a source of encouragement cheering me on and celebrating each step along the way.

Website: https://www.drandmrsd.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-donohoue/

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

Image Credits
Last 2 pictures – Angela Kleinsasser