"The most important thing we all need, for individual and collective well-being, is community."
Author Melody Magdalene LeBaron has resided in more than 30 homes in the U.S. and Canada over the course of her life. The oldest of 7 children and the mother of 5, she’s had plenty of practice packing, unpacking and organizing her own–and, after systems training–her client’s homes.
In 1999, Melody became the first professional organizer in the US to train with Space Clearing author and expert Eric Dowsett. After Feng Shui and coaching training, Melody helps clients create functional and lovely homes and workspaces in which they are supported to feel their best.
Melody also works with the dying and their caregivers, to create a safe and sacred space for life’s graduation. She also facilitates empowerment processes for women.
Check out more interviews with entrepreneurs here.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET FEATURED?
All interviews are 100% FREE OF CHARGE
Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Melody Magdalene LeBaron: I started my career as a holistic Professional Organizing, helping clients get rid of clutter and create systems so they can stay decluttered and organized. I love working with the neurodivergent and folks who’ve experienced brain trauma. It makes me so happy when folks are finally able to create the home and workspace of their dreams, spaces that truly support them to function and feel their best.
Twenty years ago, I also received training in Space Clearing and Feng Shui, which are wonderful ways to partner with our environments. I also work with the dying and their caregivers, to create a sacred space that truly honors the powerful process,; whether it takes place at home or in a facility, the room needs to support they physical, mental, emotional and departing processes–as well as provide a space for grieving.
My coaching and grief facilitation skills allow me to support clients going through all kinds of loss and transition.
2020 and 2021 threw a lot of curve balls into business on a global scale. Based on the experience gleaned in the past couple years, how can businesses thrive in 2022? What lessons have you learned?
Melody Magdalene LeBaron: LeBaron: In late 2019, I decided that 2020 would be the year I would finally publish the book I’d been working on for 18 years, about how to create sacred space for the dying–even if you couldn’t be there in the room with your loved one. I had no idea how timely it would be!
My book launch was virtual and I love being a guest on podcasts to talk about how to improve conditions for the dying–and the grieving. I trained with Francis Weller, author of The Wild Edge of Sorrow, and I facilitate online grief retreats. The skill of staying current with our grief is–and will be–vital for our mental health. We can’t serve our communities well if we’re tamping down our grief to just get by.
The pandemic seems to keep on disrupting the economy, what should businesses focus on in 2022? What advice would you share?
Melody Magdalene LeBaron: The most important thing we all need, for individual and collective well-being, is community. I believe every business and entrepreneur should be clear about what community they want to serve. And it’s important that we get proximate to underserved communities and look for ways to uplift them
How has the pandemic changed your industry and how have you adapted?
Melody Magdalene LeBaron: There is a need for all of us who work in the wellness industry to make it easier for people to access the information and services they need. I’ve been teaching online for many years, and five years ago, we moved to the mountains of North Carolina, so I was already doing a majority of my client sessions by phone and zoom. Since the pandemic, I’ve certainly been doing more online grief retreat facilitation and private grief sessions with clients.
What advice do you wish you received when the pandemic started and what do you intend on improving in 2022?
Melody Magdalene LeBaron: I did receive the advice I needed when the pandemic began. I’m part of an online community of solopreneurs who want to have positive social impact, called Awarepreneurs, facilitated by the amazing Paul Zelizer.
He reminded us often that our own mental health and wellness was our first priority. That was the best advice we could have received, and following it allowed me to up level my own fitness and wellness practice even as I published my first book.
Online business surged higher than ever, B2B, B2C, online shopping, virtual meetings, remote work, Zoom medical consultations, what are your expectations for 2022?
Melody Magdalene LeBaron: 2022 has been a wonderful year for me and for my business so far, and I’m looking forward to a book launch in 2 weeks, my November online Grief Retreat, and my next online decluttering and organizing course that will start in January.
People can sign up for my 1-2x month emails on www.TransformingSpace.com if they want more information.
How many hours a day do you spend in front of a screen?
Melody Magdalene LeBaron: Between 4-6 hours.
The majority of executives use stories to persuade and communicate in the workplace. Can you share with our readers examples of how you implement that in your business to communicate effectively with your team?
Melody Magdalene LeBaron: Two months ago, I returned from a 3-week pilgrimage in Scotland and France. A few days ago, I summarized the 3 paradigm-shifting learnings from that pilgrimage, and shared them with my community.
For my Agents of Transformation video blog, I regularly interview leaders who exemplify a skill or viewpoint that allows positive transformation. In the last month, I’ve interviewed 3 leaders I can’t wait to share with my community.
Business is all about overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for growth. What do you see as the real challenge right now?
Melody Magdalene LeBaron: I believe our biggest challenge is overcoming the tendency to do Business As Usual, instead of meeting the challenges of our time with innovation and compassion.
In 2022, what are you most interested in learning about? Crypto, NFTs, online marketing, or any other skill sets? Please share your motivations.
Melody Magdalene LeBaron: I believe one of our biggest problems in the US is polarization. All or Nothing thinking and Either/Or beliefs are no longer serving us individually or collectively. One of the solutions I see is dismantling old paradigms that keep us “othering” each other. This year, I’m continuing my participation in local efforts to remedy systemic inequity and injustice.
A record 4.4 million Americans left their jobs in September in 2021, accelerating a trend that has become known as the Great Resignation. 47% of people plan to leave their job during 2022. Most are leaving because of their boss or their company culture. 82% of people feel unheard, undervalued and misunderstood in the workplace. Do you think leaders see the data and think “that’s not me – I’m not that boss they don’t want to work for? What changes do you think need to happen?
Melody Magdalene LeBaron: Workers need a living wage and respectful working conditions. I believe that we all want to participate in making the world a better place through our work. Workers who are respected and whose work aligns with their values are happier and more productive. Employers who adjust their culture to ensure this will have a loyal workforce; the ones who don’t won’t.
On a lighter note, if you had the ability to pick any business superpower, what would it be and how would you put it into practice?
Melody Magdalene LeBaron: I’ll always choose the superpower of COMPASSION, starting with self-compassion whenever I”m triggered to judge someone or something outside myself. Compassion includes shadow work tools that allow me to stop projecting, to shift my perspective and to become part of the solution rather than the problem.
What does “success” in 2022 mean to you? It could be on a personal or business level, please share your vision.
Melody Magdalene LeBaron: Success = Sustainability.
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Melody Magdalene LeBaron for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Melody Magdalene LeBaron or her company, you can do it through her – Linkedin Page
Disclaimer: The ValiantCEO Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
