Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Puppo.
Melissa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I always love to say that I’m one of the few college graduates today who actually still uses their degree—just in a way that’s current to the times. I’m originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and attended journalism school at Kent State University, where I earned a degree in magazine journalism. I loved writing as a child, but a borderline obsession with pop culture in my teens is what fueled my passion for a career in the field.
In 2016, just a few weeks after graduating, I landed an editor role at a magazine publishing group in South Florida and worked my way up to managing editor of several glossies. It was the dream job: I got to write all about luxury lifestyle, interviewing everyone from celebrities and chefs to fashion designers and those making a difference in the community. Travel was an amazing perk, too; I found myself everywhere from Costa Rica and Aruba to Ireland, Portugal and beyond.
But after getting the itch for a new challenge and a bit more flexibility, I decided to go freelance in 2022 and joined a content marketing firm as a content editor. I loved the change of pace and the kinds of marketing projects I was working on, but that stint didn’t last long. After some soul-searching—and with the support of my now-husband—I ultimately decided to start my own business: Melissa Puppo Creative Co.
Today, I balance editorial storytelling for local and national publications with my boutique copywriting and content marketing agency, where I get to work with businesses of all sizes on everything from branded content and email newsletters to product and web copy. Each day brings a new challenge, but I’ve been enjoying the small-business founder life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think life is ever a smooth road, but that’s what keeps things interesting. After leaving my then-dream job to pursue a content marketing role, I was barely there four months before being laid off for reasons beyond my control. And wanting to start a business versus actually going about doing it is no easy feat. Aside from an entrepreneurship class I aced in college, no one really prepares you for it. There’s so much I still don’t know and am learning every day.
Small business founders like myself love to joke about wearing every single hat there is, because it’s true. One day I’m the accountant, the next I’m running social media, and the next I’m doing the actual client work. It’s a never-ending process, and I work more hours than ever before. I do face imposter syndrome at times and am trying to avoid burnout. I want to ensure I’m doing work I genuinely enjoy and working with clients I align with so the results speak for themselves. Down the line, I’d love to bring on new hires to help support the day-to-day operations so I can focus on scaling my business.
As you know, we’re big fans of Melissa Puppo Creative Co. . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Melissa Puppo Creative Co. is a boutique content marketing and copywriting studio that supports brands and service providers with their marketing. I specialize in SEO blogs and branded content, which is no surprise, given my journalistic background. I assist businesses with everything from conceptualizing a content calendar and topics to writing their weekly or monthly blogs.
I also love writing email newsletters that give subscribers an inside look at a business in a fresh, engaging way. It’s all about helping them build community. I’d love to work with more founders on those, whether it’s helping conceptualize topics or doing the actual writing.
I love writing product copy for beauty brands and writing/optimizing website copy as well.
I’m proud of myself for embracing the self-employed lifestyle and never giving up on myself. I’m inspired by fellow founders all the time, and my goal is to help as many of them as possible.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Even though I love the glitz-and-glam lifestyle, I really do enjoy life’s little luxuries. I find happiness all around me, whether it’s getting some me-time lying out in the sun on the weekend, cooking a really good meal for family and friends, or finding a moment to listen to a podcast or flip through a magazine. Traveling, of course. Oh, and watching a million videos of long-haired mini dachshunds—I hope one of those pups is in my very near future! Now that I’m getting older, I especially enjoy spending quality time with my family. That’s precious time I never take for granted.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://melissapuppo.com
- Instagram: @melissa_puppo / @melissapuppocreative
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-puppo-7a243680/
- Other: TikTok: @melissampuppo / @melissapuppocreative
