Sister #!: Melanie

As we get our blog started, we thought it would be appropriate, for those readers who don't already know us, to have the chance to learn a bit more about who we are. If you do already know us, maybe you'll learn something new.

I am not Melanie but I have been Melanie's closest sister in age all my life so I can offer a few insights into who she is better than any one else, well, except maybe her husband. She is two years older than me so as children, I was usually blamed for her trouble-making (I was an angel!). When we got to be the same size, she'd continually borrow my clothes but never returned the favor... It was sweet revenge when I creeped past her in height and people starting thinking I was the older of the two. And now, since we've both learned to appreciate each other as friends, it's great having someone with great style whose closet I can raid (well, parts of it at least, we can't share pants...).

Melanie has always been good at giving direction and most of the time, I've been willing to comply She calls it bossiness, I consider it pressured guidance and I do appreciate it. She is a woman who knows what she wants and knows how to fight for it in the nicest way. I have never met a more loyal and generous person.

In 2004 she started working for our family company, Hellwig Products, as a sales representative. In an industry that is predominantly male, she quickly learned she couldn't just be the beautiful, kind person she is but she'd have to really know her stuff. And she does. She's been traveling around the country, getting the "Hellwig" name out there ever since. She never hesitates to get involved in a variety of arenas through her work.

Melanie and her husband, Justin, got married in 2000 and are quite the team. Occasionally Justin gets to join Mel on her travels making the travel much more enjoyable and far less lonely. When Justin isn't along, she usually takes care of business solo. However, since the birth of her beautiful (and perfect) baby last November, the way she travels has changed quite a bit! The days of one carry-on and one personal item have passed. This summer she and her family will be traveling all over California and up into the Northwest so she'll have plenty of opportunities to vie for first place in our competition.

She's a busy, traveling businesswoman and mom and she does a great job at it!