“When I was younger, I thought I was going to be an actress,” says Melissa Salazar. She originally majored in Theater Arts with a full scholarship to college. “I was going to be famous,” she smiles. With her father as an audio engineer, she had always been behind the scenes on shows. “I really enjoyed the stage,” she says. 

From her early days, Melissa auditioned for roles in the second grade. “I really learned to take that leap of faith,” she says. Putting herself out there on stage came naturally to her. She learned to cope with rejection. “You may or may not get the part,” she reasons. “I realize that failure is not failure. You get used to critiques and the criticism of directors.” Her background helped her learn to take risks.

Melissa's passion for the stage led her to participate in "Guys and Dolls" and "A Streetcar Named Desire" during her college years. However, it was her crowning achievement as Mrs. New Mexico in 2014 that truly transformed her life.

Representing her state in the Mrs. United States pageant, Melissa seized the opportunity to raise awareness for autism, a cause close to her heart. She says, “As a woman, wife and stay-at-home mom I didn’t feel like I could have made much of an impact. Like a lot of moms, I felt a bit invisible to the outside world. I had no idea that I could make a difference for anyone.” Through her platform, she worked diligently on the board of the New Mexico Autism Society. “I worked to promote the organization and to fundraise and help with volunteers; it was exciting and fun.” 

After being Mrs. Mexico, Melissa started her own photography company in 2016, capturing stunning images of homes for REALTORS®. As her skills and responsibilities grew, Melissa realized the need to obtain her license. This decision not only enabled her to expand her horizons but also led her to partner with David Stafford, the owner of 360 Ventures Real Estate. David became Melissa's mentor, which increased her knowledge, skill, and confidence rapidly.

Since joining the real estate industry in 2017 and obtaining her license in 2018, Melissa found her niche. As a buyer's agent, she faces the challenge of getting clients through the doors of their dream homes and securing accepted offers, which requires aggressive and creative strategies in this market. With a commitment to being available at a moment’s notice, Melissa ensures her clients never miss out on opportunities in the fast-paced market. She is also the 360 Ventures Listing Coordinator and lists plenty of her own customers’ homes.

Reflecting on her career, Melissa emphasizes the importance of financial stability, consistent growth, and positive feedback from clients as markers of success. She finds fulfillment in overcoming obstacles during transactions. She jokes, “I wish I would have known that I needed four-wheel drive.” After getting stuck after showing a home in the mountains, she realized that four-wheel drive was a necessity. Now she’s prepared to tackle any challenge.

Melissa has earned her CRS and is diversifying into investment and commercial real estate, by pursuing her Certified Commercial Investment Manager (CCIM) designation, the gold standard in the field.

While Melissa's professional aspirations drive her, her family remains her anchor. She cherishes quality time spent with her 13-year-old daughter, Layla, and 10-year-old son, Stone. Whether going on walks with their dogs, riding bikes, enjoying pool days, or hiking, family time is always well spent. Outside of her work, Melissa also finds joy in board games, appreciating the simple pleasures of life. 

From dreaming of being an actress to being Mrs. New Mexico, Melissa is living proof that with another drive, determination, and dedication, anything is possible. The future looks bright for this Agent on the Rise!