In this exclusive interview, we had the privilege of sitting down with Meleese Hoss, the founder of Hoss Group Realty, a thriving real estate team that has overcome challenges and achieved remarkable success. Meleese’s journey began with a burning desire to support and empower women, leading her to establish her own team. As we delve into her inspiring story, Meleese shares her experiences, including the hurdles she faced along the way and how she overcame them. From building a strong referral network to prioritizing self-care and fostering a sense of community, Meleese’s insights offer valuable lessons for young women facing similar struggles.
How did you decide to start your own real estate team, and what challenges did you face along the way?
I was ready for more and desired to help other women succeed as I had. The year leading up to my decision I had hit a ceiling where I was currently working, and ultimately learned that if I wanted to do more, and grow to my full potential, I needed to go my own way. I have a lot of supportive people to thank for this too, starting with my best friend, and husband who pushed me to bet on me all along. So, I made my decision. This was December 2019, with Hoss Group Realty launching in January 2020. What timing! Things started off great. Two of my friends on the previous team were planning to leave at the same time I did, and so it seemed a natural fit they came on board. My two best friends were there to get things started too, one in operations, that’s my Maiya Bee, my right hand, and then Lauren was my marketing director.
Despite Covid we had a banner first year, and while things were seemingly riding smoothly, Drew and I thought quarantine might be the best time to give IVF another go. I was ill-prepared for the unknown that was about to become my reality. The first round (technically our 3rd. We had a 4 year break between) was unsuccessful, and we lost both embryos. We didn’t delay and went back for the next two right away. 4 days later I saw the faintest, albeit there, positive line! The greatest day of my life to that point. I had it all planned out. No problem handling business while being pregnant.
Best laid plans, amirite? Welp, I was put on bedrest at 3 weeks until almost 3 months. This made my production impossible, and not being able to be fully engaged with your team is the kiss of death, so I learned. Fast forward to Ava’s birth, the now absolute greatest day of my life. I took about two months of home time, with no work, and then slowly came back, but I wasn’t myself. It took a couple months for me to realize I was off and suffering from postpartum. Having suffered from historical depression I did what I knew to do which was talk to my doctor. She put me on a very low dose of Lexapro and it was like I snapped right back into my body. I was reluctant at first, as I am not the biggest fan of putting pharmaceuticals in my body, but I knew I needed a jump start and would figure my healing route out from there, and I did.
I was able to stop taking Lexapro with the guidance of my therapist and by way of an alternative mental health treatment protocol. One that didn’t temporarily bandaid my problems, but one that physically re-wired my brain to heal them. Best thing I have ever done for myself. Well, by the end of 2021 I ended up losing both team members, and retained Maiya and Lauren. It made sense, and ultimately I was extremely grateful for the way it worked out. From here I began to do some serious work. I focused on my health, family, growth and the people I had around me. I learned I was trying to run things inside a box, a box I was given by someone else. I was taught to not reinvent the wheel, and so I listened to this instead of my heart. Then, I took a step back and thought to myself, you know, sometimes wheels get old and we need new ones, and maybe not all our wheels are the same. I leaned into that, and now, here I am, surrounded by the most incredible women and people in both business and life with the fullest happiest heart I’ve ever had.
How did you find the strength to overcome the trauma you experienced in your childhood?
I finally got mad. I was so tired of this having so much control over me, my health, and my life. By the age of 10 I had been hospitalized and diagnosed with chronic gastritis as a result of internalizing stress. So many stomach ulcers. So I had to make a choice, and I chose to find my joy and happiness in spite of my trauma and this became my one true quest. Sure, I could have chosen to let what happened to me define me, dictate my life, control my emotions and how I treat people, use it as an excuse or crutch to be a jerk or have “issues”, but that has never been who I am, nor who I wanted to be. I have always had a “sunny” disposition, I am what they call a child of light. I gravitate towards it, I love love, and the relationships with the people around me deeply. I desired true joy over misery, and so I had to make a choice at a young age, and I chose the pursuit of happiness.
How has your experience with PTSD influenced your approach to leadership and working with others?
In order for me to survive my trauma my young mind learned early on how to read people and how to read a room. This actually helped mold me into the empath I am today. It is my gift. I feel people’s energy. Just try and tell me a lie! This gave me the ability to relate with just about anyone on any level. On my journey I have learned so much more about how to communicate better with others, how to listen, how to pay attention to the details, how to offer guidance, and how to know a person’s intentions. Also, authenticity and honesty. Before I did the work to heal, I was hellbent on making everyone happy, wanting everyone to like me, which meant I was not showing up as my true self. I learned that it’s ok to be you, and if you love you, the right people will too. It’s ok to not be everyone’s cup of tea, drink coffee with your tribe and be happy!
Can you speak more about your involvement with Bella House and your commitment to helping homeless pregnant women?
I have a passion for the well being and betterment of women’s lives across all cultures and walks of life. I crave more knowledge and understanding of women in other cultures as I want to learn, understand and be able to better relate with them and better educate my daughter. I truly love and believe in the power that is the bonds of sisterhood. When women stand together and don’t tear eachother down mountains move. I wanted to find an organization that was local to my community in which I could give back and serve women in need, and be another positive story they could hear of someone who has been where they are and got to the other side. I found Bella House, attended their orientation, and knew this is where I was meant to be.
The women in these homes come from all backgrounds and varying circumstances, but they all have one thing in common, the desire to build a better life for them and their unexpected baby. It takes a strong resolve to stare in the face of such uncertainty and responsibility, and say, I’m here to learn and do what it takes. I believe they all deserve the best life has to offer. Too often people, not just women, find themselves in these impossibly difficult situations, and no one is there to lend a hand, so things get worse and perpetuate. If I can inspire, or help just one woman to believe in herself and know she can do anything and handle anything life throws at her, then it’s all more than worth it.
How do you prioritize self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance?
My time with Drew and Ava are priority number one. We both work from home so during the day we alternate who is on parent duty, and in the evenings, at 5:00, my phone goes on personal time so we can enjoy dinner, bathtime and night night routine without distractions. Setting healthy boundaries is critical. Once Ava goes down at 7:00 Drew and I give ourselves another hour of work time, and then my phone is down after 8:00 (there is room for improvement here, I definitely get sucked back in every now and again, and well, real estate doesn’t always operate during normal business hours), we have us time (talk, play cards, watch a show or movie, or our favorite team, the Dallas Stars play), and then bed by 10:00, if I am lucky to make it that long.
One of the areas I have worked most hard on is my health/self care. I want to be the very best me for my daughter, and be here as long as I possibly can to see all the wonderful things she does. When I feel my best everything else is in balance. When I allow myself to eat poorly I feel it, or stay up late and not get up and read I feel it, so I follow a schedule. 5:00 am I am up reading and writing, 7:00 am Ava is up and we do a healthy breakfast/get ready for the day, 8:00 am I am on the computer answering emails or responding to texts/calls, 9:00 am Ava and I are at the gym where I workout and then do 15 minute meditation/affirmations in the sauna, then Ava and I drink healthy smoothies,10:30 I am on the computer or dropping Ava home so I can meet clients. I drink tons of water, and rarely anything else. I don’t drink alcohol or caffeine (with the exception of the occasional Dr. Pepper, my kryptonite), very rarely eat any red meat, lots of fish, salads, veggies, you know, clean eating.
I had to learn this though and it wasn’t easy at first, but I knew it was worth it. I was so ill informed on the direct correlation of food/exercise on mental health and overall well being. I mean, it seems obvious that if you eat a lot of junk you are not going to feel great, but when I actually made the changes and committed to a healthier lifestyle, holy smokes, level up! For my mental health I read, I meditate, spend time in prayer, reflection, gratitude, and again, set healthy boundaries. I also stopped watching the news, for the love! This helped a ton. There are things I must know for my business and so I get that news and other news I need from trusted sources, but I stay away from the toxicity and divisiveness that major news organizations pump out. Everyone I know that stares at that stuff all day is perpetually angry. Boundaries. Drew and I also made the decision to remove individuals from our lives that were causing us great pain. We are a united front in protecting our peace, and the peace, happiness, and well being of our best girl. Too often we let people stay, have access to our hearts that they abuse because of some unwritten rule, societal norm, or moral doctrine. I had to unlearn a lot of things before I could heal and grow to be in this place of joy.
What advice would you give to young women who may be struggling with similar experiences to yours?
I would say first and foremost, you are not alone, and I do know how much it can feel that you are. So many times when you’re in that darkness you don’t even realize it. You know that saying, “can’t see the forest for the trees”, that to me is what PTSD and depression can be like. You find yourself not eating well, not drinking enough water, sitting on the couch more, not wanting to get out of bed, napping, watching toxic tv, withdrawing from people and next thing you know you’re in it and don’t know how to get out. Listen to your body and your heart, and if it’s telling you something needs to change, believe it, then take just one step. Don’t be afraid to choose you and your happiness. You can do more than you know, just one step at a time.
How do you foster a sense of community and collaboration among the women on your team?
This happens very naturally on our team, we are all collaboration all the time. Maiya and I have worked very hard to create this kind of environment. We both wanted a place where everyone has a voice. A place where you can trust the leaders you open yourself up to. Maiya and I have created a space of trust, safety, encouragement, and empowerment. We talk daily on our group chat, we have weekly zoom meetings, game nights, brunches/lunches (we all love food), masterminds, script practice etc. We have a zero apology, zero judgment, zero drama policy that everyone follows naturally, though all of us struggle with the ol apologizing routine from time to time, conditioning is hard to unlearn. I don’t follow the old golden rule, treat others how YOU want to be treated. I have learned to treat others how THEY want to be treated. This changed everything for me; how I communicate, and how I listen. If you want deeper, more meaningful, relationships, ask questions, listen, be present, and honest.
Can you speak more about the success your team has achieved in spite of the challenges posed by the pandemic?
I love this question. Maiya and I have talked about this a lot, and well, we just aren’t afraid of change. I have been in this business 17 years now, I have seen some things. My experience in multiple changing markets and economies gives us a good pulse on how to make moves and shift. In other words, we can dance. Change is constant, and if you aren’t willing to lean in, pivot, learn, and implement new systems, and or products that give your team and your clients an edge up on the competition, you’re missing the boat.
What do you believe sets your real estate team apart from others in the industry?
We have partnerships, systems, and programs in place for our clients that many others either don’t know about, aren’t willing to embrace, or don’t have the ability to implement. Aside from the business, they simply don’t have our people. We don’t feel like we have any competition. Eyes forward always.
What strategies have you used to build a strong referral network and generate new business?
Referrals are 60% of our business. We have partnerships with realtors all over the world and in every state of the US. This is an entire separate line of income for all of our team members as well. We also have a strong local business-to-business plan through our weekly tHERsday spotlights in which we showcase other amazing women in business. We also have a strong foothold in the new construction community giving us another line of referrals. Networking and collaboration is critical to our model.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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