Biography

Melanie Hayden-Sparks was born, raised and educated in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She began her career over 20 years ago as an Independent Mary Kay Sales Director – and, yes, she earned the Pink Car! -, and has never looked back.

After almost 6 years with the famed Mary Kay, Melanie moved to the more corporate side of sales as a Training Manager with US-based Watkins Inc., and in 3 short years, and at the tender age of 29, was promoted to VP, Sales & International Training with the company. Her innovative and impressive results further earned a promotion to VP, International Sales & Marketing and transfer to the US headquarters. Post-Watkins, Melanie continued to spear-head sales and marketing initiatives, and revamp company operations (public and private entities), product development and promotions for several leading US companies in the Direct Selling industry space.

August 1996 marked a career move lasting a total of 9 years when Melanie returned to Canada and joined PartyLite Gifts, Ltd. Her significant contributions to PartyLite brought about new heights of productivity for the Canadian operation, and earned her the position of President.

Melanie’s leadership, inspirational vision and winning persona have been acknowledged not only by colleagues and clientele, but also by many pillars and formal bodies in the business community:

Business Woman Canada Magazine featured Melanie on the cover of their November/December 2002 issue, along with a prominent article recognizing her business and leadership successes.
The Richmond Hill, Ontario Chamber of Commerce presented her with their prestigious 2003 Business Achievement Award.
She was the 2003 Women of the Year - In Celebration of Women Award for Large Business (Business Woman Canada Magazine), for her enviable record of organic business growth, due primarily to how quickly PartyLite became one of the top five Direct Selling companies in Canada.
Melanie was also honored with the 2003 Ivan P. Phelan Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding contribution in the Direct Selling Industry. This esteemed award is the highest recognition within the industry for an individual that has contributed significantly to the goals of the Direct Sellers Association, as well as the growth of the industry as a whole in Canada.

In 2006, Melanie returned to her hometown of Calgary where she has followed her heart’s passions and opened her own company, H-TRIO™ Incorporated.

Melanie started H-TRIO™ to be her legacy, and it’s her way of Paying it Forward. Her dream company’s mission is to inspire and nurture positive living in communities across Canada by training Facilitators to offer workshops on such topics like Life Balance, Eating Habits, Getting Organized and Reducing Stress. The inherent strategy is to bring people together in communities – individuals, families, clubs and professional groups - through these workshops to experience and share in programs and products designed as solutions for all manner of positive living. There has never been a company like H-TRIO™. Its mandate is a simple, but revolutionary one; and stands as yet another example of Melanie’s progressive and giving entrepreneurial spirit and vision.

But her biggest challenge was still to come.

Only 10 months into H-TRIO™’s launch, Melanie was diagnosed with aggressive Breast Cancer and required a double mastectomy. This was a shocking blow for Melanie and her family, yet this devastating experience inspired those who watched her as she became not only her own health advocate, but also challenged the health care system until she received the best treatment available. She continues to educate herself and reach out to groups and institutions that want to be part of making our good health a top priority.

Melanie is indeed a force of positive energy, whether it be about career, health or teaching, or in her role as Wife, Mother of 3 and very proud Grandmother of 4. She’s a genuine soul who has embraced, and found success with, every personal and professional challenge, and never quits on what she truly believes in.

And this brings us to today. Melanie has done extensive public speaking for over 20 years and, as of January 2009, has decided to commit a portion of every month to speaking on topics that will inspire others to live life to its fullest and to dust off their dreams and really start living them! Each presentation is customized for your audience.

Melanie Hayden-Sparks is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of all those who share the time and hear her speak. Be ready to think (really think!), laugh (sometimes till your sides hurt), and be awoken to the life you’re meant to live.