Meet Melissa LeEllen | CEO & Founder of Creative Global Entertainment, INC.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa LeEllen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?

Starting a business is not an easy feat. There’s a lot of work with trial and error. I moved out on my own when I was 15 years old and was paying bills just like all the adults. I worked in “corporate America” until I realized that I had more to give than what was presented in front of me. I have always been a dreamer, a visionary and wanted to use my voice for a positive change in this world. I thought to myself that if I was able to create my own path, that the path could go whatever direction I wanted it to go. It was like being free within my own world that I created.

With everything I’ve done, and all the opportunities that have presented themselves over the years, I have always kept my focus on one thing: spreading positivity and hope in everything that I do. I learned on Discovery Channel’s, Naked and Afraid that even in the harshest of situations you can keep a postive attitude. Surviving on that show helped shaped me to be the person I am today. I said, “Fear is NOT an option,” and I meant it!

When I first started out, and for several years into the business, I was mostly a solopreneur. Fast forward a few years and I now have a team and a staff that is helping me to see my dream come to fruition. I say this to say that my thought process when I started the business was limited. It was when I started to realize that people are better as a collective that the whole business started to shift and take on a new light.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Creative Global Entertainment is a Brand Elevation Marketing Company. We love to create out of the box ideas in order to bring a business to life. It may include social media management, content creation, advertising, podcast production or even brand elevation consultations.

The thing that really excites us though is the movement that we’ve recently started. It’s called ALL OK. ALL OK is a movement designed to bring awareness to mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. If you are not ALL OK in those 4 areas, then it’s not OK. We are helping by giving practical tips and encouragement on our social media accounts (@allok.movement on all platforms) and by doing public speaking in schools, local chapters and organizations, businesses, and anywhere else that we can spread this amazing message of hope and freedom.

For me, the work has always been fun and easy because I love tackling new projects in creative ways. Where I’ve had struggles in business were based factors that have nothing to do with the actual work at hand, such as the economy, the things in my personal life, and of course, the effects of the pandemic. Prior to 2020, CGE was an experiential marketing company where I did events for companies such as Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Delta, Toyota, Gold Peak Tea, and many more. Having to rebrand the company in 2020 was a major undertaking after all of the events stopped. CGE relaunched in August of 2021 as a fully digital marketing brand elevation company. What I learned through all of this was adaptability. When your business literally is cancelled by the government, you have to remain flexible. I also at that time met my husband, who is now the COO and my business partner. I learned that having a team was so much better than tackling it all myself, and since then, the company has grown to a team of twelve.

Not only am I CEO of CGE, but I also am the creator of the Deadly Crimson comic book series. This project is one that I’ve been working on for the better part of a decade, but it’s finally coming together in the way that I always dreamed it would. Again, I learned along the way that a team is way better than going at it alone, and I now have an amazing team of artists, writers, and editors that are making this dream a reality. The project has really ramped up in the last year, and I am super excited to show the world what we have been working on. The ultimate goal is to get Crimson on the big screen, and we are working diligently towards that goal. You can catch me dressed as Crimson at Comic Cons across the US this year, so check out www.deadlycrimson.com to see where all we will be.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live north of Atlanta, Georgia. The first spot that is a must see, would be my back yard! I live on a nature preserve with homemade hiking trails. I have a huge valley that is perfect for a future zipline adventure. Then it’s off to Lake Lanier for a boating and sunshine during the day, stopping by Break Water Grill for some live music (hosted by Creative Global Entertainment every Saturday) for “Live Music Breaks” at night. Next, have a quick little day trip, we would head to Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, GA. With only 425 steps to the top of the waterfall, it makes the perfect climb and view for photo ops. Then head to the Dawsonville Moonshine Distillery for a tour, free samples, and education on the Moonshine process. And now of course we are hungry, so we are heading to BullsEye Burgers and Chicken in Flowery Branch, GA to get the juiciest, melt in your mouth, burger. You know that burger that you can eat and doesn’t leave that greasy aftertaste? NO? Well, that’s because you haven’t tried BullsEye Burgers that is made to order and “hits the spot” every time! They even have gluten-free buns and vegetarian options.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

You know I would not be anywhere near the person I am today without, first of all, my grandparents. They adopted me at 3 years old from child abuse with my birth mother. I didn’t grow up without traumas, but I am thankful that I got the life lessons along the way to make me the strong woman I am today.

I also want to thank my supportive husband and COO of Creative Global Entertainment, Jesse Biondi. He supports me every single day more than I could ever imagine and lifts me up when any doubt sets in. Having a partner, husband, business partner, lover, best friend – all in one, is beyond my wildest dreams.

I know, I can’t mention everyone, but I also wanted to add my amazing team! I have such a bright, creative, and talented group of creatives that inspire me every single day to grow even more. We encourage growth and positivity in the workplace that inspires not only our team, but our clients! And I wouldn’t have Creative Global Entertainment without my clients! BullsEye Burgers and Chicken is doing big things and I am so blessed to work with them! Break Water Grill is leading the way in hosting private events and being a place that the community can get together at. Blossom Creek Elderberry is the only elderberry syrup I take. It’s all natural, tastes delicious, and helps me boost my immune system. Those are just a few.

Website: www.creativeglobal.rocks

Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissaleellen

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaleellen/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/melissaleellen

Facebook: www.facebook.com/melissaleellen

Image Credits
Creative Global Entertainment, Inc.