Born in Tampa, Melissa always felt that half of her heart belonged to the sunshine and beaches of Florida. 

With half of her family residing in Gainesville, Melissa knew that she was destined to be a Gator, and so, she enrolled as a full-time student at the University of Florida in 2014. 

Unsure of what path she wanted to take, Melissa entered herself into a versatile field where she could learn to be a jack-of-all-trades. She immersed herself into the world agribusiness, and learned the importance of continuous education, professional development, and community service.

The University of Florida inspired her with the possibilities of being an entrepreneur and owning a business.