The Faces Of the Golden Strip is pleased to introduce you to Certified Virtual Expert®, Melissa St. Clair, owner of Paper Chaser Biz LLC, a certified Military Spouse Owned Enterprise, that helps amazing women solopreneurs who are operating on overload with her services so they can focus on their purpose, passion project, or simply just catch a breath. Making a beeline to entrepreneurship as a military spouse, she is masterful at making connections, networking, and collaborating with others. Melissa shares her business expertise as a speaker, mentor, and workshop leader on multiple media platforms and has been quoted in Julie Perrine’s book, Become a Procedures Pro The Admin’s Guide to Developing Effective Office Systems and Procedures.
Q: Tell us about yourself, including a little bit about where you grew up, your education, your family, interests, passions, and career?
I grew up a stone’s throw from the Mason-Dixon Line in town of Whiteford in Harford County, Maryland. I married my high school sweetheart who served as a active duty U.S. Marine for nearly 30 years so home was where the Marine Corps sent us – primarily VA, NC, SC. Living a transient military lifestyle and wanting to thrive professionally alongside my servicemember, I made a beeline to entrepreneurship and started my Virtual Assistant business in 2006. VAs were working from home long before COVID forced it as the norm. I love the ability to do the work I love on my terms helping others grow their business by delegating and doing more! I was a non-traditional college student grabbing courses and retaking lots of courses because there was little reciprocity in college credits at the time. My first job was as a grocery bagger which has come in handy volunteering for the YMCA food program when my schedule permits. I also Founded White Girl Advocacy as a platform for my social justice work and am the author of two books of poetry, “Home Work A Collection of Poems Sparked by One White Woman’s Journey on the Matter of Race” and “Heart Work A Heart-Centered Collection of Poems.” I love reading, yoga, and porch sitting.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in The Golden Strip?
A couple of years.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I have a knack for finding 4-leaf clovers.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in The Golden Strip?
Besides Celeste Purdie and her team, cozy mystery author, Sally Handley.
Q: What current / former local business makes you the most nostalgic about The Golden Strip?
Mauldin Cultural Center.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about The Golden Strip?
Conestee Nature Preserve.
Q: With so much growth in our area, there are always new places popping up. Tell us about the a “new to you” place that you recently tried.
As the spouse of a military veteran, I look forward to the official opening of the Upstate Warrior Solutions – The Rupert Huse Veteran Center.
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME or NEIGHBOR?
Love Thy Neighbor.
Q: If you had friends or family visiting you from out of town, what is the one place that you must take them to?
Conestee Nature Preserve.
Q: If you had a free day with no plans, what would you do? Or where can we find you on the weekends?
Enjoying the local culture or porch sitting!
Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. b/c we would be filming a collective history project!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Drive a mini Bobcat bulldozer.
Q: What advice would you give to a crowd of people?
Silence your cellphones.
Q: Who would you like to see nominated for this project, The Faces of The Golden Strip?
Sally Handley.
