It all began on the streets of New York in 2002 when a woman stopped Melissa, who was adorned in one of her creations and asked where she purchased it. Melissa replied, "Oh, I made it" and thought the conversation was over. The woman was persistent and asked if she had more and if she would be interested in selling some. Melissa, thinking this woman was a "nut", replied, "Maybe," and asked for the woman's card. As it turned out this woman was a sales representative. They met for coffee the next day and Melly M was born and showcased in her first New York trade show three weeks later.