Episode 2

full
Published on:

27th Mar 2025

From Startup Crash to Entrepreneurial Triumph - Melissa's Story

💥 From Fortune 500 Exec to Building a Business in Survival Mode 💥

What happens when a high-powered Fortune 500 COO walks away from the corporate world, only to face a life-altering crisis? In this raw and powerful episode, Melissa Franks shares how she went from navigating boardrooms to battling in family court—fighting for her safety, her kids, and her financial future.

After a domestic violence incident in 2023 left her unemployed and in survival mode, she turned her decades of expertise into a thriving business, proving that resilience and reinvention can go hand in hand. Now, 18 months later, she’s scaling her company while still under a restraining order and locked in one of the most complex divorce battles ever.

We dive deep into:
🔥 How she leveraged her corporate skills to launch a successful business from scratch
🔥 The harsh realities of starting over while facing legal and personal turmoil
🔥 The mindset shifts that turned adversity into opportunity
🔥 What she wishes more women knew about financial independence and personal safety

This episode is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and refusing to back down.

🎧 Listen now and get inspired by a story of grit, growth, and unbreakable strength.

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About the Podcast

ICONS by West Rose Media
Icons is the podcast where bold entrepreneurs learn to look like money, lead with power, and turn their brand into influence that pays.
Icons is a podcast for women in business who are ready to elevate their brand, grow their income, and become unforgettable online. Hosted by Stephanie Rose, founder of West Rose Media, this show dives into the real strategies behind building a powerful personal brand that attracts high-paying clients, builds authority, and turns visibility into profit. Each episode gives you practical advice, confidence-building insights, and behind-the-scenes branding tips that help you look like money and get paid what you’re worth.

About your host

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Stephanie Rose

Stephanie Rose is the founder of West Rose Media, an international branding and content agency that helps entrepreneurs look like money and get paid like icons. With over 15 years of experience in business and creative direction, she specializes in turning personal brands into high-earning powerhouses through strategy, storytelling, and visuals that convert. Stephanie hosts the Icons podcast, where she teaches women in business how to build influence, attract premium clients, and grow their income with confidence.