Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Tullis.
Hi Melissa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2003, I worked for the North American Mission Board in the Disaster Relief department, and as part of our employment, we were to volunteer in our community for one week per year. It didn’t matter where, or what, necessarily, but just to give back for the week to those who had a need. At the time, I was close with a lady much older than myself, and her husband had recently passed away from Alzheimer’s Disease. She suggested perhaps I volunteer at the memory care community that her husband had lived in before his passing. I agreed, having zero knowledge of Alzheimer’s, communities like this, or anything related to the subject. After one week at “The Veranda”, I was hooked. I knew that somehow, I was meant to work with these folks and help be a light in their journey. Being close to my work friend, and hearing her journey through the disease as a spouse, and then getting to spend days with the residents at The Veranda opened my eyes and my heart in a big way, and I knew this was what God wanted me to be a part of.
A few years later, I began my official career in Senior Living as an activity director in the memory care neighborhood of a local assisted living building. Being an activities director was absolutely amazing. Hard work but so rewarding. The residents and their families became my family. As time went on, I felt the desire to dig more into the industry and went to work for a large placement company, assisting families with choosing the correct community for their loved ones, based on their needs.
I soon realized that what I was doing was not personal to the client, as I had no, true, hands-on experience with the places I was given to recommend to the families. I chose to take a position as Sales and Marketing Director inside an assisted living building so that I could know what I was recommending to families when they came. I wanted to be able to know for sure that each family that came to me was given advice and guidance based on their specific needs. During my time in communities in that role, I began to realize how unprepared families were for this situation in life.
I became passionate about helping families understand the in’s and out’s of Senior Living, and how to navigate that process. Enter Senior Placement Experts, LLC! My job is to guide each family through this process, taking into consideration their specific needs and desires. SPE offers a hands-on, personal guide to choosing the right community for your loved one. We are paid by our partner communities, so services are always FREE to families. I absolutely LOVE what I do!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The most challenging yet rewarding thing about being an entrepreneur is learning to be comfortable getting uncomfortable. It’s a daily reminder to get out there and raise awareness.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
It is my job to walk alongside families during the time of searching for long-term care. Finding the right assisted living, or memory care community can be an extremely daunting task, that no one should go alone. My service offers hand-holding, as much as is needed, for every family member in the decision-making process. What makes me unique to other placement companies is the fact that not only to I visit with families in their homes, and attend tours with them if they prefer, but I also come from the experience of having worked inside the local communities that I refer, and have a personal connection with each community. Hands-on knowledge is key in this business and I am proud of the relationships that I have built. I feel that it gives me an edge to being the best in the business.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
As a child I was very reserved, and often the “quiet one” which is so opposite of my personality today. I’ve always been a jokester and love to laugh. I was outside as often as I could be and loved creating.
Contact Info:
- Website: seniorplacementexpertsonline.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seniorplacementexperts
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-moore-tullis-cdp-aa6722b2
