We recently had the chance to connect with Melissa Staroszik and have shared our conversation below.
Melissa, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I’m most proud of building can’t be photographed — it’s the resilience, faith, and discipline that live beneath the surface of everything I create. I’ve built a quiet foundation of peace after years of chaos — from surviving stage 3 colon cancer to rebuilding a company and a life that reflect what truly matters. Behind the costumes, the lights, and the applause, I’ve built systems that protect people — structure for artists, safety for performers, and space for creativity to thrive without burnout. I’ve built a home in my own body again, a relationship with God that anchors every decision, and a standard of excellence that exists even when no one’s watching. The world sees the spectacle; what they don’t see is the soul work — and that’s what I’m most proud of.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Melissa Staroszik, originally from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and I’m the founder and Creative Director of Elite Entertainment Global, a luxury entertainment company that blends couture costuming, choreography, and storytelling to create immersive, one-of-a-kind experiences. Every performance — from our Aerialists to Bubble Sphere Ballerinas — is designed to stir emotion and spark wonder.
After surviving stage 3A colon cancer at 38yrs old, my purpose deepened. I now channel that same creativity into helping others rise — through The Stage to Strategy Mastermind, my eight-week mentorship program for performers building sustainable, purpose-driven careers, and my podcast, The Business, where I share bold conversations for brave creatives.
Alongside Elite, I’m also building @that.mindbodyglow, a holistic lifestyle brand rooted in faith, wellness, and toxin-free living. Whether through art, mentorship, or storytelling, my mission is to remind people that beauty and healing can coexist — both onstage and within ourselves.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationship with God has completely reshaped how I see myself. For years, I tied my worth to achievement — the next event, the next success, the next milestone. But when everything was stripped away, I learned that identity isn’t built through performance; it’s revealed through grace. My faith taught me to move from striving to surrender, from control to trust. It’s the quiet reminder that I’m not self-made — I’m Spirit-led. That relationship influences how I lead my company, how I create, and how I love. It reminds me that strength and softness can coexist, and that success without peace isn’t success at all.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering stripped away everything that wasn’t real. It taught me that strength isn’t built in achievement — it’s born in surrender. When life brought me to my knees, I discovered that peace doesn’t come from control; it comes from trust. Success once meant accomplishment — now it means alignment. Pain showed me what presence feels like, what purpose sounds like, and how to lead from compassion instead of perfection. I used to think my value was in how much I could produce. Now I know it’s in how deeply I can love, listen, and serve. Suffering revealed the beauty of simplicity, the sacredness of stillness, and the kind of joy that doesn’t depend on circumstances. It didn’t destroy me — it refined me. And that refinement has become the quiet strength behind everything I create.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Integrity — both in art and in action. In my company, and in my life, I protect the value of doing things with heart. I believe excellence means more than aesthetics; it’s about how you show up when no one’s watching. In entertainment, where image can easily outshine intention, I fight to preserve authenticity — in how we treat people, create art, and honor our word. I lead with grace but expect accountability, because creativity can’t flourish without trust. Whether directing a show, mentoring an artist, or building a wellness brand, I protect a culture rooted in respect, purpose, and presence. It’s not about perfection — it’s about purity of intent. That’s the heartbeat behind everything I do: creating beauty without compromise.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I led with heart. That I created beauty that made others feel — not just see. That I built things that lasted because they were rooted in love, excellence, and faith. I want my story to remind others that reinvention is holy work — that you can begin again, even after everything falls apart. I hope they remember a woman who turned pain into purpose, who chose integrity over ease, and who showed that grace and grit can coexist. Beyond the lights and the costumes, I want to be known for how I treated people — with kindness, dignity, and care. And if nothing else, I hope they say that I lived fully, healed deeply, and helped others believe they could too.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.eliteentertainmentglobal.com & www.mstarcreative.com
- Instagram: @mstar_creative @eliteentertainmentglobal @that.mindbodyglow
