Inspiring Conversations with Melissa Philippe of Blissful Connections and Blissful Births

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Philippe.

Hi Melissa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey began as an immigrant child from Haiti. Unlike many who migrated out of necessity, our family embarked on this journey, seeking a new adventure. However, it was not without its trials. We encountered turmoil, including instances of physical and sexual abuse, as well as various hardships. Despite these challenges, my mother’s unwavering love and support, coupled with my faith in God, propelled me towards a path of service through volunteering.

From a young age, I felt a calling to make a difference in my community. Whether through volunteering at my church, assisting my mother in her work at a nursing home, or later, in my teenage years, dedicating my time to the local library, I was driven by a desire to have a positive impact. As the eldest daughter in a Haitian household, I shouldered numerous responsibilities. Still, I yearned to extend my influence beyond the confines of our home.

My journey took a significant turn in 2013 when, at 17, I became involved in a city-wide teen program called “Girl Chat.” This program aimed to mentor children aged 10-17, fostering a supportive community for young individuals from diverse backgrounds. With over 40 participants from all corners of Queens, New York, “Girl Chat” garnered attention and support from the New York City Public Libraries and the Mayor’s office. My contributions to the program earned me the prestigious Jackie Evans Community Leadership Award from The Friends of The Library Organization, marking a pivotal moment in my career trajectory.

Following my high school graduation, I pursued higher education, majoring in English and minoring in Psychology. My academic journey was driven by a desire to merge the power of language and understanding human behavior to effect positive change. During my college years, I was a Nonprofit Literacy Program Director, spearheading afterschool programs in over 300 public schools across New York City.

During this time, I became acutely aware of the deep-rooted inequalities in literacy education, which extended beyond the mere inability to decipher words on a page. As a literacy program director, I advocated for diversity, equity, and inclusion in our educational systems, recognizing that literacy was not just about reading but also about understanding complex societal issues such as danger, racism, and discrimination.

In addition to my role as a literacy program director, I also served as an English teacher, instructing multiple grade levels to finance my college education. Upon graduating in 2019, I relocated to San Francisco, eager to implement my programs and ideas in a new setting. However, during this time, I realized I was operating within someone else’s framework of freedom and equity. Drawing from my Haitian immigrant experience, I recognized the need to redefine these concepts on my own terms.

Thus, in late 2019, I founded Blissful Connections LLC. This platform was conceived to provide worldwide access to advocacy, support, and resources for young people interested in holistic wellness. Over the past five years, Blissful Connections LLC has grown exponentially, reaching over 1 million people monthly across various platforms. During this time, my husband and I welcomed our own child into the world, further igniting my passion for supporting maternal health, particularly within communities of color.

In 2021, I expanded my services by becoming a holistic full-spectrum doula and establishing Blissful Births. Through this venture, I offer compassionate and culturally sensitive doula services to individuals navigating the journey of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Today, as the founder of Blissful Connections LLC and Blissful Births, my mission remains rooted in advocating for equity, inclusion, and holistic well-being. I am committed to creating a world where everyone feels empowered, supported, and valued on their journey to parenthood and beyond.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey has been anything but smooth. From the moment my family immigrated to America from Haiti, we were confronted with adversity and hardship. The transition to a new country brought with it turmoil, including my experiences of physical and sexual abuse. Despite these challenges, my mother’s unwavering love and support, coupled with my faith in God, propelled me forward.

As the eldest daughter in a Haitian household, I shouldered many responsibilities from a young age. However, I was determined to make a positive impact in my community. My volunteering journey began at 14, initially to escape school challenges. Yet, what started as a simple act of service blossomed into a fervent drive to advocate for and support others.

In 2013, at 17, I became involved in a city-wide teen program called “Girl Chat.” This program aimed to provide peer mentorship to children aged 10-17 and quickly gained recognition and support from various organizations, including the New York City Public Libraries and the Mayor’s office. Despite these successes, the path had its challenges. Balancing my academic pursuits with my passion for community service posed challenges, but I remained steadfast in my commitment to making a difference.

After graduating high school, I pursued further education, majoring in English and minoring in Psychology. My goal was to blend these disciplines to better serve humanity. During this time, I worked as a Nonprofit Literacy Program Director, providing free after-school programs to over 300 public schools in New York City.

During this role, I confronted the stark realities of literacy inequality among children, which extended far beyond the ability to read primary texts. The systemic issues of danger, racism, and discrimination embedded within literacy disparities became increasingly apparent. Transitioning into adulthood and the professional world presented its own set of challenges.

Moving to San Francisco in 2019, I encountered the limitations of working within pre-existing frameworks that did not fully align with my vision of freedom and equity. It was then that I made the pivotal decision to establish Blissful Connections LLC at the end of 2019. This platform allowed me to advocate for holistic wellness and provide support and resources to individuals worldwide.

The journey towards founding Blissful Births in 2021, my doula business, was another significant milestone. Becoming a parent myself deepened my understanding of the importance of maternal health, particularly within communities of color. Recognizing the lack of support for POC maternal individuals, I became a holistic, full-spectrum doula to provide compassionate and culturally sensitive care.

Throughout my journey, I have faced numerous obstacles, from personal trauma to professional challenges. However, each struggle has only strengthened my resolve to advocate for equity, inclusion, and wellness. My path has been marked by resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to serving others despite the obstacles.

We’ve been impressed with Blissful Connections LLC. and Blissful Births, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Blissful Connections LLC and Blissful Births are born from my passion for holistic wellness, advocacy, and supporting individuals through life’s most transformative moments. As the founder, I am deeply committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to individuals and families worldwide.

Blissful Connections LLC is a multi-service organization that promotes holistic well-being across eight key pillars: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, social, environmental, occupational, and financial wellness. Our various platforms offer a wide range of services, including education and homeschool planning, keynote speaking engagements, editing and writing services, holistic mental wellness coaching, relationship coaching, life and parenthood coaching, and maternal health education.

What sets Blissful Connections LLC apart is our holistic approach to wellness, which encompasses the mind, body, and spirit. We believe in addressing the root causes of imbalance and providing personalized support that empowers individuals to thrive in all aspects of their lives. Our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion is woven into everything we do, ensuring that our services are accessible and culturally sensitive to people of all backgrounds.

One of the aspects I am most proud of brand-wise is our commitment to advocacy and social impact. Through advocacy, we strive to create positive change in our communities and beyond, advocating for equity, justice, and wellness for all. Additionally, our extensive network of partners and collaborators allows us to offer our clients a comprehensive range of resources and support.

Blissful Births, our doula business, specializes in providing holistic, full-spectrum doula services to individuals and families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. We are known for our compassionate and culturally sensitive approach to doula care, encompassing physical, emotional, and spiritual support for birthing individuals and their families.

What sets Blissful Births apart is our commitment to inclusive and affirming care for people of all backgrounds, including communities of color. We recognize the unique challenges and disparities faced by POC maternal individuals and strive to provide tailored support that honors their cultural traditions and values.

Overall, I want readers to know that Blissful Connections LLC and Blissful Births are dedicated to empowering individuals and families to live their whole, most vibrant lives. Whether through our holistic wellness services or our doula care, we are committed to supporting our clients on their journey to wellness and empowerment.

What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is making a positive impact in the lives of others and contributing to the collective well-being of our communities and, of course, my family. I grew up on a farm in Haiti, born in a family filled with midwives, educators, and medical professionals. I witnessed kindness and giving every day.

Our family comes from indigenous tribes. This deep-rooted commitment stems from my family history and experiences of adversity and hardship, which have shaped my perspective and instilled a profound sense of empathy and compassion.

Throughout my journey, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of support, advocacy, and holistic care. Whether it’s through volunteering, advocacy work, or providing doula services, I have seen how small acts of kindness and empowerment can make a significant difference in someone’s life.

At the core of my values is a belief in equity, justice, and the inherent worth of every individual. I am passionate about advocating for the marginalized or underserved, particularly within communities of color. I strive to create spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued, and their unique experiences and perspectives are honored and respected.

Ultimately, what matters most to me is creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and live their fullest, most authentic lives. I am driven by a sense of purpose and a desire to contribute to a more compassionate, equitable, and inclusive society where all individuals have access to the resources, support, and opportunities they need to flourish.

Pricing:

• Doula with Insurance – $0
• Doula without Insurance – $1500
• Speaker – $1200
• Coach – $250

Contact Info:

• Website: https://faithandmama.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithandmamaa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrettyRichMel/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/blessedconnects
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgdHwdRBRTbWPjn20pCi2BQ
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@faithandmamaa

Image Credits
Manuel Philippe (@raww.film)