Melissa Gissinger

Relationships matter, as does experience. An experienced entrepreneur, with a diverse background in interior design coupled with 25 years as a real estate investor, including project development and management, Melissa brings a unique perspective to buyers and sellers. Raised in the South, Melissa graduated with a BFA from the University of Georgia. Shortly after, she moved to San Diego where she excelled in designing and rehabilitating investment properties. Melissa moved to LA, [...]

Relationships matter, as does experience. An experienced entrepreneur, with a diverse background in interior design coupled with 25 years as a real estate investor, including project development and management, Melissa brings a unique perspective to buyers and sellers. Raised in the South, Melissa graduated with a BFA from the University of Georgia. Shortly after, she moved to San Diego where she excelled in designing and rehabilitating investment properties. Melissa moved to LA, California, living in Hidden Hills & Calabasas. There her 3 youngest boys finished high school.

While in LA, Melissa’s design business evolved into a fabric collection and a showroom in West Hollywood. She worked with textile companies in Italy, Switzerland, and England, with her fabrics and rugs carried from Los Angeles to New York as well as London and featured in magazines like Architectural Digest, Luxe, & Elle Decor. Melissa’s work earned her an "outstanding alumni" award from UGA. She maintains her ties to the preservation of historical homes and art, and was an inaugural member on the National Council for the White House Historical Association, serving for 5 years.

Settling in Sarasota, Melissa fell in love with the city by the bay, and the active lifestyle it provided. She has developed deep ties in the community and has devoted much time to giving back. Currently, she is a founding business partner of The Bay Sarasota. She serves on the board of the SWFL Red Cross, and is finishing a two year service to the Purple Ribbon Committee for the city. Mom to five boys, Melissa loves water sports, walking the beach, reading, and traveling with her husband Steve.