If interviews were records, this one would hit gold!
We’re hopping into a blast from the past and revisiting one of our greatest hits—Melissa’s Foodservice Powerplant Network’s interview with industry superstar and Cal-Mil’s Executive Director of Sales, Jason Wange. This chat between colleagues certainly hits all the high notes and gives incredible reminders of what’s important in life, work, and everything in between.
It takes guts to speak on matters of the heart, and Melissa does so flawlessly in earnest.
Follow along with the highlights of this interview down below to see what you can learn from two foodservice faces, icons, and most importantly—friends.
Guest: Melissa Greenwald (Principal – Greenwald Sales and Marketing)
Host: Jason Wange (Host – Foodservice Powerplant Network)
Jason Wange:
Foodservice Powerplant Network — welcome to our weekly conversation with an industry leader where we get to connect. We’re coming out of the weekend, jamming into the week. At this point in the week, you are moving and grooving Monday night — I hope it started well. I hope you’re surrounding yourself with the community that helps you perform at your highest levels.
Tonight, will be another chance to pull another person into your community. We’re big believers that success leaves clues — that we become like the people we spend the most time with. So when we interview different industry leaders, you get to spend time with someone you might not know very well, hear from her, hear what she thinks and how she processes. Inevitably that will change the way you think about your day or what’s going on in your life.
My offerings to you:
Number one — grab a pen and paper. There will be things Melissa shares that will benefit your story and your journey.
Second — if you want to make comments, say hi, ask questions. I’ve got a list of questions for Melissa, but we’re doing this live so we can do this together.
Lastly — special thanks to The Zoomba Group for helping spread this message of positivity, and to the team at Craeve for helping build the website and marketing.
Let’s go find her.
Jason:
Melissa, hi!
Melissa:
Hi! How are you?
Jason:
I’m doing fantastic. These always end up being one of my favorite nights of the week — connecting with another industry friend, telling stories, learning insights. I love that you said yes to this.
Melissa:
Thanks for having me. I’m so elated to be here to talk with you this evening.
Career Journey
Jason:
For those who don’t know you, can you give us a little bit about your career journey to where you are now as owner of Greenwald Sales & Marketing?
Melissa:
Sure. I started in the industry in 1978 — that’s the year I was born. My father was a rep owner. He started at a rep agency in 1978 as a salesman. He had been a DSR at a small Cleveland-area specialty tabletop dealer before being recruited by the owner of a company called Top O’ the Table.
In 1984–85 he purchased the group. My smallwares and tabletop journey began when I was a child. I literally played with bain maries and ice scoops. There was a sample room at my house full of china we used to play in.
Fast forward — I went to law school. I am a licensed attorney in the state of Ohio.
Jason:
Did you go to Arizona State?
Melissa:
I went to Arizona State for undergrad. Law school was Cleveland Marshall. During my second year of law school, I realized I didn’t want to practice law long term. I started paying attention to my dad’s rep agency. One night at dinner I told him I wanted to finish law school and transition into his business.
He had just interviewed someone for a new end-user specialist position. I got the job.
Later he sold his company. I worked for the acquiring company for many years, then decided about five years ago to start my own rep agency in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Western Pennsylvania.
We’re now 10 people strong, represent 16 lines, and continuing to grow. I’m as happy as could be.
Core Values & Culture
Jason:
What attracts and keeps great people on your team?
Melissa:
Core values. We live by six core values. We hire by them. We evaluate lines by them. We solve problems through them.
Every week on our team call we give “core value shout-outs.” We call out someone who exemplified a core value that week. It’s part of our routine.
We don’t just hang them on the wall — we live them.
Recharge & Personal Life
Jason:
What do you do to recharge?
Melissa:
Beach time. Putting my feet in the sand. That resets me. And during COVID I picked up golf. I golf with girlfriends from high school. We have a blast. Once a week if I can. I’m actually in Florida right now — so I’ve got beach and golf.
Law Degree Perspective
Jason:
How does your law degree impact your business today?
Melissa:
It changes how you think. I’m always assessing liability and protecting assets.
We recently purchased a building for a Cleveland showroom and had a legal obstacle involving right of first refusal. I was able to assess it and work through it — with help from my husband, who is also an attorney.
From contracts to employee manuals — I use it daily. It’s been a super important part of our success.
Early Career Challenge
Jason:
Was there a challenge that taught you could push through?
Melissa:
I didn’t pass the bar exam the first time. By one question.
It was devastating. I had just started working at a rep agency. I debated whether to retake it. But I’m very goal oriented. I had to finish what I started.
I took it again. Crushed it. Still licensed today. That was probably one of my lowest career moments — but also a defining one.
Work-Life Balance
Jason:
You’re a business owner, wife, and mom. How do you manage balance?
Melissa:
Time management is critical. Less than five percent of my time is unplanned.
I shut down at 5 PM now. I didn’t used to — I’d stay until 8:30 or 9. That’s not healthy. Now I leave at 5, spend time with my son. After bath and bedtime, I may jump back into emails.
But that boundary matters. Achieving work-life balance is the ultimate definition of success.
Rep of the Future
Jason:
A rep of the future must be able to…
Melissa:
Change.
The industry is constantly changing — how we go to market, expectations, technology. Social media is huge. We’re still behind other industries.
Look outside foodservice. Learn from leading industries. Don’t wait for a crystal ball.
Calling on Customers
Jason:
Do you still call on customers?
Melissa:
Absolutely. It’s my favorite part of the day.
There’s working on the business and working in the business. I do both. But I love being in front of customers — dealers, end users, factories.
Proud Moments
Jason:
Proudest professional moment?
Melissa:
Receiving awards from MAFSI and FE&S this year was incredibly meaningful. I’m grateful and honored.
Advice to Young Professionals
Jason:
Advice to someone entering the industry?
Melissa:
This is the most fun industry. The people, products, hospitality — it’s fun. But you’ve got to earn your stripes. Pound the streets. Do the work. It will pay off.
Defining Success
Jason:
How do you define success?
Melissa:
Work-life balance. Balancing work, family, and health. When you can take care of yourself and the people you love — that’s success.
Core Value Shout-Out
Melissa:
Before we end — I want to give you a core value shout-out.
Exhibit unparalleled professionalism. You’ve taken the Foodservice Powerplant Network and grown it, secured sponsors, and are doing good for the industry. We’re proud of you.
Closing Encouragement
Jason:
Thank you. And to everyone watching — if you’re in foodservice, you know the relationships are the greatest gift of this industry.
If you’re going through something difficult, keep going. Melissa shared about not passing the bar the first time — she kept going.
Reach out to people you trust. We’re building resources on the FS Powerplant site — coaching, counseling, addiction services — because this industry supports each other.
Thank you to The Zoomba Group and Craeve.
Have a great night. Be well.
In a fast-paced industry filled with ever-constant change, it’s pivotal to remind ourselves of the important things in life: creating boundaries, living by core values, trusting in yourself, and taking time to plug into things that bring joy and recharge our batteries—after all… if a battery is low, it takes longer to recharge!