From Sales to Impact | Melissa Kaye's Journey from Luxury Sales to Social Entrepreneurship

Welcome to the Impact Effect Podcast EP.154, hosted by Jim Morris, where business owners and entrepreneurs learn how to grow their business and their IMPACT on the world. This week, we dive deep into what it really looks like to go from sales to impact with special guest Melissa Kaye, founder of Elev8 Villages, a nonprofit on a mission to end homelessness for foster youth aging out of the system.

Melissa shares her powerful story of walking away from a successful career in luxury sales to tackle one of the most heartbreaking social challenges in America—the foster youth crisis.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ How to transition from a profit-driven business mindset to a purpose-driven mission

✅ The leadership lessons Melissa learned from years in high-ticket sales and how she now applies them in nonprofit fundraising and community building

✅ The real, behind-the-scenes challenges of launching a nonprofit from scratch

✅ Why "IMPACT Over Income" is more than a catchphrase, it’s a mindset shift for entrepreneurs

✅ How business owners can support social causes without sacrificing profitability

Whether you're a CEO, entrepreneur, social entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, or simply someone who cares about creating positive impact through business, this episode will challenge and inspire you.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:42 Defining Impact and Positive Influence

02:09 Intentionality and Self-Awareness

03:18 Listening and Understanding Others

06:30 Sales Experience and Personal Growth

11:50 Building Relationships and Leadership

17:39 Elev8 Villages: Supporting Foster Youth

24:42 Reflecting on Personal Experience with Foster Care

25:27 Realizing the Need for Basic Necessities

26:18 A Spiritual Vision for Change

27:37 Taking the Leap of Faith

30:03 The Challenges and Miracles Along the Way

33:33 Understanding the Struggles of Homeless Youth

42:19 The Vision for Elev8 Villages

45:18 A Sustainable Future for Foster Youth

48:45 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

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