Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in Houston?
Melissa: I was born in Houston, grew up near Beaumont, went to college in Nacogdoches and Galveston and then lived in Dallas for a short time. I’ve been in Houston now for 23 years and absolutely love it!
Meghan: I’m originally from Sugar Land, so I’ve been in Houston forever with a few years in New Orleans and Waco for college.
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
Melissa: Reid 12 and Rhett 9
Meghan: Malley 12, Ford 9 and Bennett 5
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
Melissa: I’m a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner at Texas Children’s Hospital and have worked there for 23 years. Bonus answer – Meghan and I both played golf and were in show choir in high school.
Meghan: I have an MBA/MHA and used to work in healthcare policy research
Favorite local activities to do in Houston?
Melissa: I love to visit needlepoint stores in the area, try new restaurants, shop in local boutiques, visit nurseries around town and go to a bookstore whenever I have the chance (my favorite is Blue Willow).
Meghan: Try new restaurants, Nature Discovery Center, live music, and Space Cowboys games.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
Melissa and Meghan: We started The Perfect Pot last spring at the end of March 2024. We both loved to garden in our own yards and had mothers that inspired us with their gardening skills too. We kept seeing beautiful homes with empty pots, pots with dead plants out front or nothing at all on their porches. It is Houston and our weather can be challenging, but we knew that we had the ability to create stunning and unique custom containers tailored to any style and space. We both have an eye for design and the thought of working together seemed like a no-brainer. We thought we would at least get to do some pots for our friends and have fun and then Mother’s Day came around and we were blown away by the amount of clients that were contacting us. We haven’t slowed down since and do jobs as small as one pot or complete overhauls of front porches, backyards and small landscaping projects. We are very active on Instagram @theperfectpot_htx and you can follow along for tips, videos and pics of our jobs and lots of laughs. You can also visit us on our website www.theperfectpothtx.com
How has the Houston community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
Melissa: Houston brought the 2 of us together when we moved onto the same street in Bellaire in the same year 14 years ago. Houston is a huge city and small town all in one. It always seems like everyone knows everyone and when you are starting a business, this is key. Word of mouth is everything and we have had the most amazing clients. They are the first to tell their friends and send us referrals.
Meghan: The Houston community is so incredibly supportive! I feel like all of our success is because people are willing to give new entrepreneurs a shot and then the share with friends, who then become clients and friends. Our clients are always so kind to send us referrals and it is transformative for budding businesses.
What is the best advice for juggling mommyhood and running a business (or volunteering, working, etc)?
Melissa: You have to know your limits — and they may change every day. It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to prioritize your mental health. As a mother and a business owner, I wear a lot of hats. Some days, I have to find little nooks and crannies of time just to catch my breath or carve out a moment for myself and that’s okay too. I’m a very organized, type-A, first-born daughter, and I live by the calendar on my phone and my Notes app. They keep me grounded, help me manage my to-do lists, and most importantly, they help me make time for fun with my family.
Meghan: I think every mom wrestles with this at some point, but the truth is, we’re usually doing a lot better than we give ourselves credit for. For me, it’s about recognizing what truly matters in the moment – deciding which balls need to stay in the air and which ones can safely be set down. Priorities shift daily and giving yourself grace while focusing on what matters most makes the juggling act feel a little more doable.
What would you tell the old “You” before you had kids?
Melissa: So many things! For starters, let the perfectionism go and enjoy the small moments as much as the big ones. Sleep as much as possible, you will never sleep like that again. Most importantly, you are going to have so much fun with your kids. They will truly change your life in the best way possible.
Meghan: It’s okay to think outside the box and create a path that feels true to you – one you’ll be proud of! You’ll never have it all figured out, and that’s okay. What matters most is being present and showing up with love, even when it’s messy. People always tell you that it goes fast, but oh my goodness, it is WILD how quickly time marches on. Kids change you in the best ways, don’t they?
Funniest shortcut/routine for helping you through parenthood?
Melissa: Find a friend with kids the same age. Meghan and I are so lucky that are kids are best friends and that our husbands love to hang out with each other too. We are constantly helping each other out when we are in a pinch and our children have a second set of adults that they are completely comfortable with.
Meghan: My only hack is having a best friend who has kids the same age who we can do everything and nothing with! Our husbands and mothers also get along great too, so it is genuinely such a blessing to have a bestie/business partner. We get to hang out while working, which just makes it so much fun. Also charcuterie for dinner. Kids love it and it requires no pots/pans.
To read more interviews from local Houston moms – click here
