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In this insightful episode, Melissa Mawai shares her inspiring journey from corporate project management to becoming a published children's author and illustrator. After the passing of her father and the global pandemic, Melissa found herself at a crossroads—one that led her to pursue her true passion for storytelling. Now, with five published books under her belt with major publishers like National Geographic Kids and DK, Melissa reflects on the challenges, lessons, and triumphs of her creative career pivot.

One of the biggest hurdles she faced? Self-promotion. If you've ever struggled with marketing yourself, you'll appreciate Melissa’s honest take on overcoming the “ick” factor and finding an authentic way to share your work. As a neurodiverse professional, she has also dedicated her work to helping neurodiverse children navigate the world through engaging stories.

From navigating the entrepreneurial path to embracing creativity in every professional interaction, Melissa offers invaluable wisdom for anyone looking to align their career with their passions. Plus, she gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming podcast, Kid Lit Deconstruction Zone!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Melissa used the COVID-19 pandemic as a turning point in her career
• The impact of personal loss on career clarity and purpose
• Overcoming the discomfort of self-promotion and marketing yourself authentically
• The importance of creating stories that support neurodiverse children
• How coaching helped her refine her career path and build confidence
• The journey to launching her new podcast, Kid Lit Deconstruction Zone
• How to infuse creativity into networking and professional relationships
• Melissa’s future goals, including more school visits and speaking engagements

Resources & Links: Connect with Melissa and explore her work:

• Website: melissamawai.com
• Follow her on LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmwai/ – she promises to say hello back!

If you’re looking for inspiration to bring more creativ

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