Discussion · House of Representatives
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter Republican
“I am honoring Melissa Blanchard. She is a successful business owner from Georgia who started a fund to help college students pay for school.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Melissa ``Sissy’’ Blanchard, a Brunswick native, Georgia Tech alumna, and accomplished entrepreneur whose career exemplifies determination, resilience, and service to others. After graduating from Georgia Tech in 1995, Sissy turned her entrepreneurial spirit into a remarkable career spanning retail, hospitality, and small business ownership. From building a handbag and accessories brand carried by hundreds of boutiques nationwide to operating a successful wine bar and restaurant in California, Sissy has never been afraid to pursue a new opportunity. Eventually Sissy and her husband, Bob, returned home to coastal Georgia where they built Porch+Patio into a leading outdoor furniture retailer with multiple locations. Throughout her journey, Sissy has overcome challenges, embraced reinvention, and remained committed to strengthening the communities around her. Now, she is giving back through the Melissa J. Blanchard MBA Fellowship Endowment Fund at Georgia Tech, helping future students pursue their own dreams. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Sissy for her entrepreneurial success and her commitment to creating opportunities for the next generation.”
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Melissa ``Sissy’’ Blanchard, a Brunswick native, Georgia Tech alumna, and accomplished entrepreneur whose career exemplifies determination, resilience, and service to others. After graduating from Georgia Tech in 1995, Sissy turned her entrepreneurial spirit into a remarkable career spanning retail, hospitality, and small business ownership. From building a handbag and accessories brand carried by hundreds of boutiques nationwide to operating a successful wine bar and restaurant in California, Sissy has never been afraid to pursue a new opportunity. Eventually Sissy and her husband, Bob, returned home to coastal Georgia where they built Porch+Patio into a leading outdoor furniture retailer with multiple locations. Throughout her journey, Sissy has overcome challenges, embraced reinvention, and remained committed to strengthening the communities around her. Now, she is giving back through the Melissa J. Blanchard MBA Fellowship Endowment Fund at Georgia Tech, helping future students pursue their own dreams. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Sissy for her entrepreneurial success and her commitment to creating opportunities for the next generation.