A note from our founder: “I am here for you.”

Dear MTD family--

Melissa Blum is the CEO & Founder of M.T. Deco. Credit: Mary Latham

It’s hard to believe, but this month marks three years since I started M.T. Deco. The journey has been a duality of anxiety and excitement, exhaustion and incredible highs, all at the same time. It’s been a whirlwind to learn how to establish and run a company, find clients, set rates, invoice, build strategy and hire help. But also, since I like a challenge, a crash course in motherhood with two babies under the age of two. It’s been a lot. 

Yet, somehow within all the chaos, I am more grounded and peaceful than I’ve ever been. I’m devoted to my Five Minute Journal and find myself writing that I’m happy as a daily affirmation - which is definitely a newer development as I tend to beat myself up over future goal planning. I also often find myself writing that I’m capable of doing hard things. Through this practice, I’ve discovered my ‘why,’ which is to help all of you do your best work and live your best lives, and I’m nervous-excited as I look ahead to the future. I want all of you to feel the electricity I feel in my life right now.

A disclaimer: while I’m incredibly optimistic and proud of my work, I recognize my privilege. I wouldn’t be able to do this without the income and health insurance provided by my husband, and his unwavering belief in my ability to fly on my own. He’s also super supportive of the small fortune we invest in childcare so that I can focus on the business. 

I keep that privilege in mind as Jamie and I plan out our content for you. Our goal is to support you in your own journey, whether that looks like ours or not. When it comes to the tips & tricks, insights, and analysis we share, the point isn’t that you need to live like either of us [unless you WANT to, of course], it’s rather that these are tools to help you find your North Star and what energizes you. We’ve both had the opportunity to work with big organizations like NBC Universal, CNN, the University of Delaware, and high-profile clients, and we bring what we’ve learned to you. The editorial we share is behind-the-scenes and insider information that works. We promise.

It wasn’t that long ago that I was miserable. I can recall myself walking around Rockefeller Center fully realizing that what was once “home” suddenly felt like a foreign country. I always thought I could one day be an entrepreneur, but it was motherhood - and likely the chemical shift in my brain - that sealed my fate. My time had come and I was first mentally, and then physically, out. 

So here I am, three years later. I’m thriving more than I could have imagined. Again, for everyone in the back, it’s not all highs - this is hard work and I’ve become wellness obsessed to keep myself from drowning in anxiety - but I feel anchored with a purpose that makes all the difference.  So let me reframe this back for all of you because really, you are the virtuous circle that powers it all.

You -- our MTD family, our clients, our internet friends, our collaborators, our partners, our friends -- can have courage too. You can have a dream that alters the course of your life. You can develop the self-awareness and discipline to do it.You can learn to forgive quickly, especially yourself, in order to keep it moving. And you can get the help you need to chip away at the to-do list every day.

I’m not perfect, but I do try to do my best, and as I recognize the shift in my own ‘why,’ I want to reinforce that I am here for you. This month also marks my birthday and the Jewish new year, so it feels fitting to reassert these intentions as we look ahead to what’s next. Thank you for reading this. Thank you for engaging with our content. Thank you for wearing our hats. Thank you for sharing your feedback. 

And mostly, thank you for being here alongside us in our journey. I’m beyond thrilled and proud to say that the best is yet to come. 

Xo, Melissa