Melissa. Butterworth.
From Farm Girl to Over 2.2 Billion in Sales
I was born and raised on a farm in Harrisonburg, Virginia. I came from very humble beginnings. Both of my parents started off as schoolteachers in the early 1970s.
Today, I am the cofounder, managing director, and president of Advanced Strategic Partners (advancedstrategicpartners.com). Advanced Strategic Partners is an M&A firm focused on laboratory diagnostics. I have twenty-six years of experience specific to the laboratory industry. The last thirteen years have been spent in the merger and acquisitions sector, having completed over $2.2 billion in clinical, anatomical, molecular, and hospital outreach laboratory transactions during my career.
In addition to my M&A expertise, I have spent the last decade advising molecular laboratories on new business development initiatives. I am the author of The End Game: The Laboratory Owner’s Exit Strategy (available on Amazon).
In 2021, I became a global ambassador for the Learn to Start Institute, powered by The Startup Studio. This program creates a forum for students to take their business ideas to various entrepreneurs who provide feedback and enable them to propel their dreams into reality.
I have recently begun my newest endeavor, The American Interns. I just launched my second book, Clues, which is dedicated to helping the next generation of entrepreneurs and giving them the opportunity of a lifetime.
But... Let's back track
About 4 years ago, during the peak of COVID, I had gained over 40 pounds and was the most depressed I had ever been. I had everything I wanted in terms of a career and materialistic items, but felt so lost and unfulfilled in life. So, I found myself at a luxury car dealership ready to buy a Rolls Royce, because what else would you do when you're depressed?
This car dealership ended up being the fortification for what is now Clues. When I pulled into the dealership with my license plate that said "Zsa Zsa" (that's my nick name) the owner told me that his daughters name is Zsa Zsa. I immediately knew that was a clue. Long story short, I met a young girl by the name of Zsa Zsa Goldstrom, who asked me to come and speak at her entrepreneurship class, where I told my story and conducted 2 contests for everyone. This then led me to Carly Burr and Sabrina Riback (season 1 contest winners).
Carly, Sabrina, and Zsa Zsa are all featured in clues and helped build The American Interns from the ground up. We are all working together to give back to others, which I've recently found out is one of my life purposes.
It's my goal to help you find your clues, and build 6, 7, or 8-figure company of your own. Get a copy of Clues and uncover the key to your treasure. I can't wait to see where this journey takes you!
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