Conversations with the Inspiring Melissa Holmes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Holmes.

So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Do you know the kids in high school who are always the ones throwing outrageous parties and getting in trouble all the time? That was me. I was always in the principal’s office, failing classes, getting into trouble at home, even got in legal trouble, albeit over something minuscule, a stupid boy. Fast forward 12 years, I have a husband, three kids, a thriving custom creations business, I hold a degree in accounting, a hairstyling license, and a nursing license. I am proof that people are capable of change and you really can do anything you put your mind to!

Has it been a smooth road?
It has been everything but a smooth road, it’s been a road filled with twists, turns, bumps, ups, downs, dark tunnels and lots of rerouting. Less than a month after turning 19, I was involved in a nearly fatal drunk driving accident (I was a passenger) where I severed my artery and broke almost every bone in my right hand along with my ulna and radius. I was rushed into the ER where I was questioned if there was a chance I was pregnant… um no, I was on birth control! SURPRISE, I was pregnant with a guy I barely knew who just left me for dead on the highway. Oh, and even better, I was no longer able to use my right hand which means I lost my career as a hairstylist.

So, here I am on the 4th of July in ICU, pregnant, no job, no career, no idea where the dad was and confined to a bedpan to pee in. Remember that part of the road that included a dark tunnel? Here it was, I didn’t know where I was in life, where I was going, or where the light at the end of the tunnel was. My family encouraged me to think about adoption for this little gummy bear growing inside me, but I had longed to be a mother my whole entire life! Adoption and termination was not an option for me, I am the mother of this sweet child and no one can raise her like I can. And that’s when it dawned on me, I am going to get back up and persevere and give this child an amazing life, rich or poor. I was released from the hospital in the middle of July and I had Googled, researched, and contacted every resource I could find that could help me get back on my feet, figuratively and literally. By August, I was enrolled in a full-time school for accounting. My parents were in no financial position to help me with anything at the time, I was completely on my own. So, I worked full-time at my grandfather’s company as a bookkeeper and went to school online for my core classes and soon night classes.

Once I gave birth, I attended online and night classes after work, all with a newborn and multiple surgeries. I made the dean’s list my 3rd semester of school because I had something to prove! I wanted to prove to my daughter that excuses only hold you back and you can do anything you put your mind to. Eventually, I graduated with an accounting degree and landed a job at a CPA firm. It was there that I thought, “maybe I was in the wrong field”. So, back to school I went, this time for nursing. In the middle of ending my pre-reqs and starting nursing school, I ended things with my daughter’s verbally abusive father and met my soon to be husband. Just a couple of months into nursing school, I lost my mother unexpectedly. Nursing school is not forgiving and I needed to get back at it. I couldn’t miss a lot of days or I would be kicked out. Back to the grind, eight months later, I graduated and eventually obtained my nursing license with the passing of the ever-dreaded NCLEX. Since then, I earned myself a step-son and eventually gave birth to another baby girl. I worked as a pediatric nurse for in-home kiddos for two years until the guilt of long hours away from my kids got to me. Somehow in the midst of my nursing rendezvous, I began turning my hobby of crafts into a paid hobby. People started requesting me to make things and paying me! Word of mouth spread and Christmas time was INSANE with orders. I couldn’t keep up, so I thought. Somehow, I managed to complete all orders on time, even after 10-hour shifts at work. Now, I am consistently bringing in a good amount of income weekly and have some of the best clients who keep me busy! I attribute this success to hard work, never giving up, amazing customers, keeping the faith, great customer service, and integrity!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Twisted H Designs story. Tell us more about the business.
I do custom t-shirts, cups, signs, wine glasses, coffee mugs, tote bags, ornaments, etc. Pretty much anything I am able to customize, I try. I am well known for being able to recreate things, personalize gifts, and for my outstanding customer service. As a brand, I am most proud of the following I have generated over the past two years and gaining new customers who say they heard about me from other customers. I think what sets me apart is that I only accept the absolute best of my own work and I am always willing to hold fundraising efforts for organizations and people in need.

Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
You will have doubts, you will feel like you have failed, you may even feel like you want to give up. DON’T! Don’t give up, harbor those close to you for support. There will always be people who want to see you fail, let those be your driving force to succeed.

Pricing:

• T-shirts start at $17
• Custom metal tumblers start at $35

Contact Info:

• Website: https://twistedhdesigns.com
• Phone: 303-900-8290
• Email: Twistedhdesigns22@gmail.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TwistedHDesigns/

Image Credit:
Tyler B Photography

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