This week, Sprouthouse founder Melany Robinson was recognized for being the incredible, fearless, and tenacious leader she is, earning a spot on the Inc. 2025 Female Founders 500 list! While Melany is happiest behind the scenes—preferring to shine the spotlight on Sprouthouse’s clients—we’re so proud to see her receive this well-earned honor.
In light of this exciting news, we sat down with Melany to talk about entrepreneurship, growing a business, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
Starting at the beginning, what inspired you to start Sprouthouse (which was first known as Polished Pig Media)?
Polished Pig started with literally no plan. I had just lost my job, so I followed my heart, trusted my instincts, and took a big chance on myself. But I knew that if I wanted to succeed, I had to work hard to earn it.
I’ve had an entrepreneurial mindset my entire life—it’s all I know! I learned from watching my family. Both my parents—and even my grandparents—are entrepreneurs. They fully supported me and instilled in me the confidence that I could make this work. They also gave me a check—the only outside investment I’ve ever received—to get started. My mom even saved the cashed check. It was a tangible reminder of how much they believed in me, and that belief has meant everything.
What were the biggest hurdles you faced in the early days? How did you overcome them?
It’s hard to pinpoint individual hurdles because there were a lot of them. When I think back, it’s overwhelming. But you have to have faith that things will work out as they’re meant to. And I’m not a doubter.
As a female founder, have you faced any unique challenges in your industry? If so, how have you navigated them?
One of Sprouthouse’s biggest challenges has been that I didn’t establish or build the business in a major metropolitan area like New York or LA. But that challenge has also created a unique opportunity—to differentiate ourselves and work with incredible clients in places like Charleston, Birmingham, and Nashville. These secondary markets are often underserved yet filled with compelling stories to tell.
What are three non-negotiables that you credit to your success?
- Approach work and life with kindness, honesty, and integrity.
- Undersell and overdeliver for our clients.
- Have fun—because if you don’t, you’ll burn out.
How has your leadership style evolved as your company has grown, and what lessons have you learned about managing a team?
I’m constantly working on this. Leadership is a journey, and the second you think you’ve got it figured out, you’re wrong.
My leadership style is about stepping back and giving people space to thrive. I don’t believe in micromanaging. I want to challenge my team to be better without dictating how to get there.
To me, running a business is a lot like athletics—I tend to think in terms of sports. You train for it. You push beyond what’s comfortable. You learn from mistakes and come back smarter. You rely on your full bench of talent. And you have to stay hydrated! I don’t see myself as a “boss” but rather a coach. Not a “leader,” but a team captain.
Have mentorship, networking, or partnerships played a role in your success? What advice do you have for other women looking to build strong business relationships?
If a 20-something asked me, “How do I start a business?” I’d tell them, like Nike says, just do it! You just have to start. Have an idea? Go for it! The worst that can happen is that you make a mistake and have to try again or do things differently. But if you learn from those mistakes and don’t give up, you’ll be fine.
Who were your “coaches”?
I depend on my business and financial coaching team daily, but the role of a female founder isn’t insular. Through it all, I haven’t just been building a business—I’ve been building a family.
My biggest coach is my husband, Drew. His partnership and support mean everything to me. I’m so fortunate to have a partner in life, business, and parenting who challenges and motivates me. His commitment to me, our daughter, and our family makes all of this possible.
