We’re looking forward to introducing you to Melissa Lilly. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Melissa, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is a normal day like for you right now?
Pretty much a normal day is reviewing my to do list for Orange Blossom and my other business which by trade I’m a mortgage broker here in Bradenton and have been for approximately eight years. Do some bookkeeping for the shop order any supplies, try to address any issues that might arise and then get myself ready to go into the shop whether it be as back up support. Or to work a shift.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Melissa, co-owner of Orange Blossom Coffee, a cozy neighborhood coffee shop in downtown Bradenton, Florida. At Orange Blossom, we’re more than just coffee, we’re about connection, community, and creating a welcoming space where everyone feels at home. What makes us unique is our locally roasted beans, a blend of creativity and tradition: from classic brews to playful seasonal specials, every drink is crafted with care and a little Florida sunshine. Beyond coffee, we love supporting local causes and offering our space for gatherings, making Orange Blossom a place where good drinks and good people come together.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I think the better question might be who am I after the world told me who I had to be. I used to work in the corporate world for over 30 years. I worked for people who paid me money to do a job that they didn’t wanna do but wanted me to do it like I owned the business. So I made them a lot of money and felt successful, but it wasn’t my success. It was theirs. And the day that opened my eyes completely was after hurricane Irma when I left town to evacuate, and my boss said I needed to be at work the morning after the hurricane when we had no electric or I’d be fired so I actually drove from Tennessee through the hurricane to get back to my job and at that moment, I said within three months I’ll have my own business and I believe that was 2017 and I pivoted from being just an insurance agent to getting my mortgage license and started working for myself. And in 2021 we started talking about a coffee shop my daughter and I and made that happen when my daughter and I opened Orange Blossom in January 2023. I don’t want my daughter working in the corporate world for people that don’t appreciate other humans and I wanna leave her something when I’m long gone.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Of course Fear of Failure. But I never let that stop me from doing a good job and it certainly didn’t stop me from changing careers in my 50s and starting a coffee shop as well. I also never dwell on failing, we just concentrate on what we can do better.
You can’t be successful without failing a few times.
The irony is that failure is usually the thing that teaches us the most, builds resilience, and eventually leads to success. But for many, the thought of making mistakes, losing money, or being judged stops them from even taking the first step.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I like to think it is, and I try to be the happy go lucky type. Super friendly, all the persona that goes along with having a local business and interacting with people face to face on a daily basis. but I know that some of my friends and even new friends that they feel I never want to do anything outside work. I never want to participate if the friend group and some think I’m snobby. I promise you I’m not. What I am is tired. Physically and emotionally. lol ha ha. and just need some peace and quiet to get grounded so I can do what I do everyday. But I am trying to be better about resetting and seeing friends. And traveling is definitely more of what I want to do in 2026
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I think I am doing what I was born to do which is interact with people daily in a positive way doing what I enjoy and what brings joy to them even if it is for five or 10 minutes. and I should’ve done this my entire life and I probably would’ve been so much further financially. LOL. My parents were old school and they taught me that working hard. Your whole life will get you stability, security and eventually retirement. Funny thing is both of them never got to retire so I had to retrain my brain to not think that way I doubt I’ll ever retire because I don’t want to. Funny thing about that as well. Schools still teach that mindset. Work hard and you’ll go far. Work hard for yourself and your community and you’ll go far. That’s what we need to be teaching kids.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Orangeblossomcoffeeshop.com
- Instagram: OBCbradenton
- Facebook: Orange Blossom Coffee
- Yelp: Orange Blossom Coffee
