the startups.com platform about startups.comCheck out the new Startups.com - A Comprehensive Startup University

Categories

Browse Search

Loading...

Clarity

Melissa Galt

Global As Needed(Atlanta, GA)

Founder & Chief Opportunity Officer for Prosper by Design, Marketing Coach, Specialist in Small Business Growth. Recognized by Forbes in Top 20 Women of Influence on Twitter for Entrepreneurs to Follow.

Welcome the sticky challenges in business including how to get more ideal clients (lead generation), how to create unforgettable client experiences (packaging your services) and how to price to make a great living (pricing.)

$8.33/min

6

6 Calls

31

31 Reviews

39 minutes
Avg. call

Marketing Social Media Marketing Marketing Communications Social Marketing Marketing Strategy Content Marketing Lead Generation Pricing Strategy B2B Marketing Strategy Confidence Building

Call me to talk about

Marketing for Service Based Business Owners

Took business from $70K in debt to six figures and debt free in 18 months, twice. Regularly increase client service investments to triple and quintuple expected. You'll make more money when you focus on better clients and stop leaving money and opportunity on the table.

You are at your most magnetic when you are loving what you do, I'm here to help you have more fun and make a bigger fortune faster. Your business is designed to fuel and feed the whole of your life, not swallow you whole.

Let's get together and fix what isn't working and redesign your business to serve and support your life.

Answers 8
Reviews 31

Answers

Melissa Galt answered

What advice do you give to a 16 year old entrepreneur with a start up idea?

Find a mentor who has been down that path and may be able to connect you with valued partners, resources, and buyers.

Hire a freelance web developer, preferably one recommended, and be sure they sign an non-disclosure agreement.

Watch "Shark Tank!"

Schedule a call • Share • Flag

Entrepreneurship

Business Advice

Business Strategy

Melissa Galt answered

My partner is an idea person who refuses professional business plan. Is this typical of creatives or is this a sign of unprofessional habits?

While it may be typical of creatives that doesn't preclude it from being an unprofessional practice and more importantly one that will stall out success. Purpose and passion are great, they are ineffective without a solid plan, a clear business model, and strong strategies. That being said, their plan may not look "typical," that's fine as long as it creates focus and structure around their big vision and big goals. A plan creates milestone and metrics for achievement so you know you are moving forward and where you need to improve.

Schedule a call • Share • Flag

Building Relationships

Leadership

Employee Relations

Melissa Galt answered

How can entrepreneurs overcome loneliness and self doubt?

The key is to find both an online and offline circle of support. Often creating or joining a mastermind with like minded colleagues provides awesome support. While being an entrepreneur is often being a "lone ranger," you can create your own support network and grow your business at the same time. Consider online forums, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn Groups as well as Chambers of Commerce, Rotary, Lions Clubs, Optimist and more IRT.

Schedule a call • Share • Flag

Entrepreneurship

Self-esteem

Melissa Galt answered

How to compensate a sales person?

Yes, it makes sense, the 5% is for lead generation, the 15% is for lead generation and closing the sale. The issue is that when strictly on commission you may get some very pushy sales people, unless your product is just part of an array of products they offer.

Have you researched your competitors to see how they compensate? And what level of sales pro are you seeking, seasoned or newbie?

If you get sales pros with clients at their fingertips they may be able to make faster sales and deserve to be paid a base + commission. Alternatively you can do a draw against commission, whereby they are paid a salary but that is paid back by their early commissions. It does ensure they don't go hungry.

I've worked draw against commission in the past, was uncomfortable with straight commission until I was an expert in the industry.

You may also want to do something obvious and ask them how they want to be compensated and see what you hear. I am an advocate of asking the market instead of guessing.

Schedule a call • Share • Flag

Sales Management

Sales Operations

Melissa Galt answered

Which country offers the best outsourcing value for tech entrepreneurs?

Outsourcing isn't about the location but about the actual service provider, whether you look at India, The Philippines, Eastern Europe, or even the US (you can find cost effective providers in the US, often doing it as a side job.) Focus on the quality of the work, not the location.

Schedule a call • Share • Flag

Outsourcing

Technology

Entrepreneurship

Melissa Galt answered

How do you make money to survive while you are building a business? What are some quick ways to make money with less time commitment?

Consulting and Coaching (not requiring certification) can both provide fast paths to cash, if you have skillsets that make that possible.

Ebay auctions and other online auction portals can also offer an opportunity if you have inventory on hand to sell.

Can you hold an estate sale? Do you have goods on hand that have value that you don't mind relinquishing to free up cash flow. (Garage sales don't make nearly as much money.)

Consignment is another opportunity and takes very little effort. (Note, this isn't Craig's List, they want it for free.)

The key here is to know how much money you need to make and for how long. There is a difference between what you'd need to do and the skillset you need to have for $10/hour vs. $200/hour. I've worked at both ends.

A site like this one allows you great flexibility while allowing you to charge what you deem appropriate, leads can be uneven and the best way to generate is to get active with questions and drive business from other sources, like social media, and online forums.

Knowing a bit more I can make more targeted recommendations. Coaching and consulting require the least amount of effort and offer great flexibility.

Schedule a call • Share • Flag

Cash Flow

Entrepreneurship

Melissa Galt answered

What are some good sales strategies to try?

Stop selling and build relationships. Be authentic, transparent, and genuine. When you build your "know, like, and trust" factor, the sale becomes a foregone conclusion.

You are your greatest competitive advantage, be human, be social, and ditch the pitch, skip the sell, and find out what your buyer really wants (and needs).

Needs are budgets, wants are investments.

Schedule a call • Share • Flag

Sales

Sales Strategy

Sales Management

Melissa Galt answered

What are some side projects that turned into highly successful companies?

I started my business unexpectedly in 1994 when I found myself out of a job with $70K in debt. While it took me 90 days to land my first client, I picked up a job supervising a catering kitchen, and also went to teach evening education classes at three local universities in Atlanta. It is often better to have a deadline or be forced or you won't make the jump. It takes everyone a different amount of time. I was debt free and earning six figures in 18 months.

Schedule a call • Share • Flag

Entrepreneurship

Startups

Strategy

Reviews

A session with Melissa Galt is not filled with motivational, cliche one-liners. Melissa goes straight after your problem and provides a solution. I ended my call with an action plan. Her business strategies are outstanding, and I was beyond satisfied with her coaching.

Galyn Fergerson Source: Clarity

I first met Melissa when I took her interior design class at Emory University. I was hooked and took another class. And then I hired her to provide recommendations for my own home. Melissa has a great eye for design, yet she's extremely practical, and a joy to work with.

Teresa Caro Source: LinkedIn

Melissa is multitalented as an author, interior designer, speaker, etc. I know her best as a speaker and she's one of the most engaging, entertaining and personable speakers I've ever worked with. She combines excellent "platform skills" with personal experience to tell stories that are both funny and moving. Her life has been quite unique, and she shares the ups and the downs with honesty and with humor. What can I say! She's simply terrific, one-of-a-kind! Hire her for virtually any occasion but especially for events involving women.
Susan Hitchcock

Susan Hitchcock Source: LinkedIn

The best word to describe Melissa Galt is catalyst. Never has such a word been more appropriate for someone as this word is for her. Our relationship has escalated from cordial emails into an intense, symbiotic effort to learn, to teach and to encourage each other to build a valuable and profitable cyber presence. She has introduced me to tools, techniques and teachers, all of it given freely and fully. She has earned my respect, garnered my absolute gratitude and won my heart with her graciousness, integrity and her dedication to excellence.

I have only seen pictures of her design work and they are beautiful; but I have already experienced her gift for designing and renovating the interior - the heart, the mind and the ability to envision success. I heartily recommend her to anyone wishing to have their residence or work environment tailored to their personal identity and style. She is a top professional in her field.

private private Source: LinkedIn

Melissa has a special talent for identifying what makes someone unique and valuable and offering practical strategies to capitalize on it. We've been peer-to-peer coaches for many years. She recently encouraged me to promote my testimonial writing service, something I love to do but had been overshadowed by my speaking career. She showed me that my message of the power of gratitude directly aligns with helping my clients' clients express gratitude through their testimonials. Brilliant!

Tricia Molloy Source: LinkedIn

We recently had Melissa speak at the Alpharetta FUMC Job Transition group meeting and she did a fantastic job. Melissa knows her stuff and really got the group thinking about different ways to tackle job transition and how to stand apart from everyone else. She did an excellent job of getting the group involved and interacting which is key. Afterwards the feedback from the group was very positive and I would highly recommend her for future speaking engagements.

Jeff Ivan Source: LinkedIn

Melissa is an ever-flowing font of inspiration and information. She shares freely and is eager to lift others up in the process. I've only had the pleasure of meeting Melissa once in real life - but we chat regularly on social media. Her ability to connect the dots for people while making them feel smart and worthy of climbing whatever ladder they're on is a rare gift.

I am happy to recommend Melissa with the absolutely certainty that she brings her A-game to everything she does.

Julia Rosien Source: LinkedIn

Melissa handles the design process on an individual basis, no cookie cutter work, her knowledge base and resources are astounding, projects completed on time and within budget.

Eric Benjamin Source: LinkedIn

Melissa was referred to me by my real estate agent. I had just a couple of pieces to work with and she really found my style and created a comfortable and inviting home. Traveling frequently, I trusted her in my absence and was often delighted when I would return from a trip and find welcoming progress had been made. She has a great eye for color, a wonderful hand for texture, and is truly gifted at translating her client’s taste and style into a welcoming interior.

Mac Martirossian Source: LinkedIn

Melissa Galt is one of the finest speakers I have had the pleasure of working with. Her enthusiasm and originality capture her audience and bring her messages to life. In a world where we loose touch with ourselves and our priorities, Mellisa Galt helps her audience gain a new perspective. I enjoyed working with Mellisa and would highly recommend her.

Ben A. Starks Source: LinkedIn

When we bought our new home, Melissa was the only person that I would even consider to assist with the interior design. Her creativity turned our house into Neo-Classical dream home and everyone that comes to our house is in absolute awe!!! She guided us with our furniture selections, flooring, colors and layout and, not only was she very affordable, she was extremely helpful every step of the way. I sit in my living room and can't believe I live in such a beautiful house!!! It would never have turned out as beautiful as it did if it weren't for Melissa. To say that I would recommend her is an understatement!

Chef Wendy Sanders, BA, CC Source: LinkedIn

Member since December 2013