Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa “Missy” Riley.
Hi Melissa “Missy”, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey didn’t begin with a business plan, it began with survival, purpose, and legacy.
As a little girl, my grandmother used to write me letters. They were filled with love, wisdom, encouragement, and reminders of who I was and whose I was. I didn’t realize it then, but those letters planted a seed. They taught me the power of words the way they can comfort, guide, and affirm you, even when the world feels uncertain.
Years later, I found myself at one of the lowest points of my life. I was sitting alone in a park, overwhelmed by life, carrying pain I didn’t know how to articulate, and seriously contemplating giving up. In that moment, when everything felt dark and heavy, I heard a small but powerful voice say, “Don’t you dare give up.” That moment changed everything. It saved my life and it reawakened the seed my grandmother planted years before.
Letters2MySis began as exactly that letters. Letters to myself. Letters to women like me. Words of encouragement, truth, healing, and reminders of worth, written during moments of reflection, growth, and rebuilding. What started as personal healing became a calling when I realized how many women were silently struggling, feeling unseen, unheard, and unsupported.
I began sharing my words online—honest, raw, faith-rooted messages about self-worth, resilience, and sisterhood. The response was overwhelming. Women from all walks of life reached out, saying, “This feels like you wrote this just for me.” That’s when I knew Letters2MySis was bigger than me.
Over time, the movement expanded into empowerment events, community give-backs, support groups, speaking engagements, and eventually a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting women and girls. What began as letters passed from one generation to the next has grown into a safe space for healing, connection, and transformation.
Today, Letters2MySis stands as a reminder that sisterhood is powerful, community is necessary, and our words, when rooted in love and truth can change lives. I’m still evolving, still learning, and still growing, but every step has been guided by purpose, obedience, and the belief that when one woman rises, she creates space for many others to rise too.
This isn’t just my story, it’s a continuation of the love that first reached me through my grandmother’s words.
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?
Not at all. The road has been anything but smooth, and that’s the truth I’ve learned to embrace.
There were moments of self-doubt, financial strain, burnout, and feeling like I was carrying the vision alone. Building something rooted in purpose means you often walk before you see clarity. I had to learn how to lead while still healing, how to pour into others without abandoning myself, and how to trust God even when the numbers, the timing, or the support didn’t make sense.
One of the biggest struggles was learning that passion alone isn’t enough you need structure, boundaries, and the courage to evolve. I faced seasons where support shifted, plans fell through, and I had to pivot in real time. There were moments when I questioned if I was doing enough or if I was doing it right. But every obstacle forced me to grow personally, spiritually, and as a leader.
I also learned that not everyone who claps for you is meant to walk with you, and that’s okay. Some seasons required me to release people, expectations, and even versions of myself that no longer aligned with where I was being led.
Through it all, the struggles refined my voice, strengthened my faith, and clarified my mission. The road hasn’t been easy, but it’s been purposeful and every challenge has deepened my commitment to creating spaces where women feel seen, supported, and empowered to keep going, even when the journey feels heavy.
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?
At the core of my work is empowerment through connection, community, and conversation.
I am the founder of Letters2MySis, a women centered empowerment organization and nonprofit dedicated to supporting women and girls through intentional spaces for healing, growth, and self discovery. My work focuses on helping women reconnect with their self-worth, find their voice, and understand that they don’t have to navigate life alone.
I specialize in creating safe, transformative environments, whether through empowerment brunches, sister talks, community giveback initiatives, mentorship, or digital spaces, where women feel seen, supported, and celebrated. I’m known for leading with authenticity, vulnerability, and purpose, and for building genuine sisterhood that goes beyond surface-level motivation.
What I’m most proud of is the community itself. Watching women show up as they are, heal out loud, build confidence, and then turn around and pour into others is the true measure of success for me. I’m especially proud that Letters2MySis has grown from words on paper into a recognized nonprofit that continues to impact lives across generations.
What sets me apart is that this work is not performative, it’s personal. I don’t lead from theory; I lead from lived experience. Every message, every space, and every initiative is rooted in real life healing, faith, and resilience. I believe empowerment isn’t about perfection it’s about presence, consistency, and creating room for women to evolve in their own time.
Above all, I’m proud that Letters2MySis has become a reminder that sisterhood is powerful, community is necessary, and when women support women, real transformation happens.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are many ways to work with, collaborate with, and support the mission.
Individuals can engage by attending our empowerment events, joining our sisterhood spaces, participating in Sister Talks, or volunteering their time and talents during community initiatives and give-back programs. For those who want to make a deeper impact, donations and sponsorships help us continue creating accessible spaces and resources for women and girls who need them most.
Brands, creatives, and organizations can collaborate with me through curated partnerships, co-hosted events, speaking engagements, community programs, and purpose-driven campaigns that align with empowerment, wellness, and social impact. I’m especially passionate about working with partners who value authenticity, community, and meaningful storytelling.
Support can also be as simple and as powerful as sharing the message, amplifying the work, and showing up for women in your own circles.
For collaborations, partnerships, or general inquiries, you can connect with me through Letters2MySis on social media or via email.
Instagram: @Letters2MySis
Website: www.letters2mysis.com
Email: info@letters2mysis.com
At the heart of it all, Letters2MySis is about alignment. When values align, the work flows naturally and together, we create spaces where women feel seen, supported, and empowered to rise.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.letters2mysis.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letters2mysis?igsh=MTg1d2FqMnk2OGlkcw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1G6Kyr3JF2/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@letters2mysis?_r=1&_t=ZP-92rUv58R2eV
