About Melissa and START Now

START Now is based in New Zealand, with a purpose to help people and businesses create more meaningful and sustainable work. An agile business which is proud to work with courageous individuals seeking a new start in their life & career, as well as businesses looking to bring new value to their employees.

In a high-speed world, this is the new superpower for organisations, teams, and you.

Melissa Jenner

Founder

START NOW was founded by New Zealander Melissa Jenner in 2015, out of a deep desire to help others re-build their careers and find new joy after her own experience.

“I suddenly found myself wanting and needing a new direction, but with no idea how to begin. Everywhere I looked, everyone and everything was telling me “just follow your purpose” or “do what you love”. Fine, but how? What I realised was when you’re trying to build something new, you need a good process. It’s risky, and I needed a method I could rely on”.

Melissa left her role as Director of Better by Design for NZ Trade & Enterprise to create START Now. Trained in Design Thinking at Stanford d-School, Melissa pioneered the application of Human Centred Design to the personal innovation challenge many people face – re-imagining and building a career they love.

Before START Now, Melissa was a Marketer, a Strategist and a General Manager. With over 20 years experience, she has worked in senior leadership roles for a range of large corporates (including Microsoft and Barclays) some of the world’s most creative businesses (including Saatchi & Saatchi), and in some of the biggest cities in the world (including London & New York).

She has also gained a Certificate in Leadership from Columbia Business School in New York, accredited in Organisational Agility from Tech Futures Lab, studied Psychology at Auckland University and is a trained Lifeline Coach.

In addition to running START Now, Melissa is a coach on the Tech Futures Lab Masters programme in Auckland, a consultant with Leadership Lab in Christchurch, and a coach at AUT Brightside.

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Customers reviews

What my customers say

Trusting Career to Love gave me personal insight and incredible clarity on what I want my future to hold. While emotionally challenging and hard work, this was without doubt the best personal and career development course and toolbox I’ve experienced. The genius of Career to Love is how Melissa has integrated multiple strands of world leading self-development tools and career design, crafting them into focused modules with practical tools to guide decision making and future focus. I now have a clear view of what I want my future to be, and how I’m going to get there.

Melissa has the kind of deep experience and approach to make working with her a simply awesome experience. She challenged me to think broadly, creatively and also courageously and in so doing, I got much needed clarity on my professional value and possible future paths. Highly recommended!

Melissa has an amazing ability to help you very quickly understand your core drivers. She is very insightful, and her methods were easy to follow. I’d recommend Melissa and this programme to anyone who is looking for a change of direction and renewed purpose in their career.

Melissa's energy, experience, knowledge and enthusiasm delivers self discovery, awareness and growth to both professionals and Startup's. I can honestly say that every founder that has had time with Melissa, comes away with positivity and forward-drive

This programme has proven to be incredibly insightful, encouraging and worthwhile. I'm excited to embark on my new career path, with an activation plan laid out. I am raving about this service to all who will listen. Would 100% recommend, well worth the investment!

Melissa’s ability to help you to truly get to the heart of what "you are about and what drives you" is amazing. As a result of this process I was able to look for - and get - the job I truly wanted. I’m still in that job and deeply passionate about it!

Making the decision to leave a safe corporate job is never easy. For me there was a lot of risk involved, but this process helped me to minimise those risks by identifying the right options for my skills and values. I have now forged a new and profitable business as a result. Without the kick-start this process gave me, I would be a lot more lost and not certain it would have even happened!