The Hive: Culinary Collective & Event Space

10/12/2026

10/09/2026

It’s time for another magical, yet true, story.

This particular tessera in The Hive mosaic is truly exceptional. She represents a dream I didn’t even dare to dream.

My, how the stars have aligned. I am so grateful.

10/07/2026

In my 7th grade art class, we were tasked with creating a mosaic. I chose a photograph of a monarch butterfly as inspiration.

I could have opted for the “easy path” - creating a small mosaic with large pieces. Instead, I selected the largest piece of tagboard I could find, then proceeded to cut the smallest pieces of sticky paper to build out my mosaic.

The project took a long time to complete and required an exceptional amount of effort on my part. I recall feeling a bit resentful toward it…like, I just wanted it to be done and couldn’t wait to finish it. I wasn’t finding joy in the process.

When I finally did finish it, I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment and pride. I had persevered! I had created this beautiful masterpiece. I was grateful I’d seen it through and finished what I started - even if I hadn’t been able to feel much joy and gratitude while it was in progress.

In many ways, The Hive is like a mosaic. There are so many beautiful pieces coming together to bring this vision to life. There are so many individuals working alongside me to fill in the missing pieces I haven’t been able to find, create, or source myself.

Like my 7th grade art project, this has been a “go big or go home” project. It’s going to take some time, and I am reminded of the need to be intentional - finding and infusing joy into the process.

Reflecting on the magic and transformation that’s occurred in the past year brings me a lot of gratitude, peace, and joy. In the spirit of celebration, I’ve selected a few of the many magnificent pieces from The Hive’s mosaic and will share their unbelievable, yet true, stories with you.

First up: The Property.

10/05/2026

I am thrilled to introduce our Field Trip Series: “The Hive Goes to…”

I’ve been so eager to bring my vision for The Hive to life. Until recently, my vision was very narrow in scope, focusing on the physical space we’re creating. This past week, I had a real epiphany:

The Hive is not simply a building waiting to open. It’s a community waiting to come together.

Channeling some of that COVID-era creativity we all had to learn, I am figuring out ways I can begin to build The Hive community without our physical space.

“The Hive Goes to…” Field Trip series will allow us to do exactly that. We will get out and explore, support small businesses, experience new things. I am so excited to introduce you all to some of the people, places, and offerings that inspire me. Think of it as a little preview of what’s to come.

First up: October Field Trips!

10/4: Farley Nature Center - we had a wonderful time at the Linda & Gene Farley Center Fall Festival and especially enjoyed the live music provided by Julien Kozak !

10/10 * 7:30pm CT - Libra Dark of the Moon Circle with Lauren Kaas Norton - $22; Online gathering for reflection, intention, and new beginnings under the dark night of the new moon in Libra. Register here: https://www.throughthewoodsdoula.com/what-i-offer

10/13 * 5-6pm CT - Guitar Meditation at The Holistic Healing Center - Harmonic Egg Madison - FREE

10/18 * 1-2pm CT - Integrative Movement Session with Amelia Eisen - $25; Online offering with option to join Melissa at The Hive. Through somatic awareness, intuitive movement, and creative exploration, you’ll learn to listen to your body from the inside - softening tension, restoring clarity, and cultivating a deeper sense of vitality and presence. Register on our website, www.lovethehive.com

10/25 * 5-8pm CT - Under The Hunter’s Moon - $35; Support REAP Food Group in their mission to build a local food system rooted in the rhythm of the seasons. Register here: https://www.reapfoodgroup.org/event/under-the-hunters-moon/

Links will be included in our bio!

09/15/2026

The Hive won’t officially open until 2027, but this inaugural gathering of friends at The Table deserves a moment in the spotlight.

A year ago, I joined Ashley Burnett | Women's Business & Leadership Coach through Unleash - her four month container for female entrepreneurs. I didn’t really know what my business was going to look like, and I certainly didn’t know where it was going to live, but I knew I wanted to explore what it means to be an entrepreneur.

Through that container, I met a wonderful woman and doula named Lauren. An entrepreneur and doula for all of life’s transitions, Lauren Kaas Norton and I were drawn to one another as soul sisters, or kindred spirits.

Early this spring, I asked Lauren if she’d be willing to facilitate a gathering at The Hive. Yesterday, she brought that magic to our space for the inaugural gathering at The Table.

At first glance, The Hive Barn isn’t much more than a garage with a nice floor coating. There are cobwebs and bugs. It’s anything but fancy.

None of this mattered for the eight of us gathered around The Table yesterday. Lauren had us focus on Finding Presence in the Ephemeral Nature of Life.

We each picked a quote from The Table that resonated with us, then shared our truths, vulnerably and deeply.

We slowly savored the food provided by Charcuterie • W**e Bar • Event Space - and talked about the sensations, flavors, and memories that came through with that one small bite.

We assembled beautiful bouquets of native plants provided by Wild Rue - then spent minutes analyzing each leaf, stem, and flower in our bouquet before ultimately deconstructing it to create a mandala, knowing they’d return to the earth - just like each of us will someday.

Our souls danced to the beautiful music and song Lauren created with her shruti box.

We ended by creating beautiful bouquets - complete with dahlias from - which we were able to take home and enjoy.

This gathering was a moment in time. It is already in the past, but it was beautiful and powerful - and as The Table from Marlon Hall so wisely reminded us, Moments live for Generations. ❤️

08/29/2026

Here at The Hive, we’re not really all about the trends. We embrace our quirkiness - the things that make us unique.

Enjoy this little play on the “Kinda Chic” trend. This is about as close as we’re going to get to trendy. :)

08/25/2026

Oh, August. You are one of my favorite months. Birthday celebrations, warm weather, relaxing days, and the return to structure and schedules on the horizon. No wonder some countries choose to virtually shut down operations for most of August!

Things continue to hum along here at The Hive. Most of the work happening now isn’t glamorous or particularly fun. Right now, the work involves calls with City officials, writing large checks to engineering and architectural firms, and meeting with the plumber. It also involves taking stock of what we have and identifying our next right action.

I’ve identified 3 “Next Right Actions”:

1) Pursue a path that will allow events to take place in The Hive House in the more immediate term while the parking lot and barn build-out are completed.

2) Continue pursuing options to fund the remaining work.

3) Find My Center: this is the topic of my latest newsletter. In short, working to find balance. :) Sign up to receive future monthly newsletters for updates, stories, and recommendations!

As summer draws to a close, I hope you find a beautiful rhythm in fall that provides both stability and a beat to which you can dance. Love you all!

08/20/2026

I believe celebration is a way to express gratitude, so I am always looking for things to celebrate.

Reaching 500 followers on Instagram seemed like a fun milestone to acknowledge, but I wasn’t sure how I wanted to commemorate this milestone. I gave it some thought and decided this called for a little ‘Helping Hive’ action.

Over the course of two days, I volunteered 500 minutes of my time - one minute for every follower - at two different organizations: Goodman Community Center and Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern WI

It feels so good to be part of a community; something bigger than myself. I am grateful for these organizations, the work they do, and the volunteer opportunities they provide. I’m also grateful for all of you - The Hive Community - for following me on this journey, witnessing me take the leap and bring The Hive to life.

If it has been a minute since you volunteered or did a random act of kindness, I’d invite you to take a moment to think of one thing you could do to help your neighbors, your community. We are better together. ❤️🐝