MELBA WILSON SAVED OVER $300,000.00 – UNDER HER MATTRES!
When you ask young people to name a role model, they often name an entertainer, like Beyonce, Lebron, or Lady Gaga (I do like that name). This series celebrates a rainbow of role models, including physicians, scientists, entrepreneurs, school teachers, and, yes, a few entertainers. They all have a few things in common: hard work and a spirit of never giving up. I love learning from inspirational people who inspire me to drop MY EXCUSES and JUST DO IT! Role models who stretch my ambitions and make me reach for the impossible.
There is dignity in achievement and success—becoming a great factor in civilization.” Carter G. Woodson.
I hope you will share these short articles; perhaps a few people will be curious to learn more.
Disclaimer: Good Day, Readers. WealthBuildingPowers blog is a financial literacy/competency blog and does not provide specific investment recommendations.
Melba Wilson – From Mattress Savings to a Harlem Dining Icon RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS {WEDNESDAY SERIES}
Click below if you prefer the podcast version.
Melba Wilson is synonymous with Harlem, soul food, and an unshakable entrepreneurial spirit. Her journey from humble beginnings to becoming a celebrated restaurateur and a cornerstone of Harlem’s dining scene is a true American success story.
As she proudly states, “Born, bred, and buttered in Harlem,” Melba represents not just the flavor of soul food but also the resilience, creativity, and warmth that define the neighborhood.
Her story teaches us about the power of determination, hard work, savings, and staying true to one’s roots, all while sharing love through food.
A Humble Beginning
In Melba’s early years, saving money wasn’t about stocks, investments, or high-interest savings accounts. For her, it was much more straightforward. Like many black folks from my grandparents’ era, although much younger, Melba saved her earnings the old-fashioned way—under her mattress. Blacks were taught NOT to trust banks. I assume for good reasons in Jim Crow days!
Each paycheck from her work in Harlem’s iconic restaurants became a growing pile of cash under her bed. She didn’t think much of it at first, only knowing she was holding on to her hard-earned money for the future. Someone instilled in her the power of savings!
Then, one day, she decided to count it all up, perhaps out of curiosity or a desire to finally use it to pursue a dream. What she found was nothing short of astonishing. As she kept counting and counting, she was amazed to have saved over $300,000 in cash, a testament to her discipline and frugality. That moment was pivotal for Melba. It wasn’t just about the sum of money but about realizing her potential and her capacity to build something larger than herself.
It was her ticket to fulfilling a dream she had long nurtured: opening her restaurant.
I wonder if she slept better without all that cash under her mattress!
EDUCATION: Melba Learned From Harlem’s Best
Before Melba became a household name, she honed her skills at some of New York City’s most renowned restaurants, including Sylvia’s, Rosa Mexicano, and Windows on the World. These experiences were formative in her development, giving her a front-row seat to running a successful dining establishment.
At Sylvia’s, she learned about community and how to treat customers as family. She saw firsthand how a restaurant could become a cultural institution by providing comfort and familiarity through food.
At Rosa Mexicano, she understood the intricacies of upscale dining and how to offer a sophisticated experience while maintaining warmth.
Windows on the World, perched high in the North Tower of the World Trade Center, taught her the importance of setting and ambiance, where dining is as much about the experience as the food itself.
Each of these places provided Melba with invaluable lessons, but more than anything, they shaped her belief that great food alone isn’t enough to build a lasting business. The secret sauce was a combination of delicious meals and remarkable service for her. She saw diners choose restaurants for the menu and feel welcomed, cared for, and valued when they walked through the door.
Melba realized that when great food meets outstanding service, a restaurant becomes more than just a place to eat—it becomes a home.
Opening Melba’s: Her Dream Realized
Armed with her savings, experience, and dream, Melba opened her restaurant in 2005—Melba’s, a cozy spot in the heart of Harlem. The location wasn’t an accident. Melba had always known she wanted to stay close to home. Harlem wasn’t just her neighborhood; it was her community, her inspiration, and the place that raised her. She wanted to give back by providing an exquisite yet comfortable dining experience where locals and visitors could enjoy a meal that felt like coming home.
From day one, Melba’s embodied everything she had learned. The menu featured soul food classics like fried chicken, catfish, collard greens, and her famous waffles, but the atmosphere genuinely set the restaurant apart. Melba’s wasn’t just a place to grab a bite to eat; it was an extension of her home, where each guest was treated like family. Melba often greeted customers at the door, hugged familiar faces, and flashed her signature smile. She made people feel like they were home. She knew that exceptional customer service wasn’t just a business strategy but a way of life.
The Standard of Excellence
Melba’s philosophy of combining great food with impeccable service created a standard of excellence that has become her hallmark. This dedication has made Melba’s a must-visit destination in Harlem. Tourists, locals, celebrities, and even politicians have all dined at Melba’s, drawn not only by the delicious food but also by the warm, familial atmosphere Melba has carefully cultivated.
Her commitment to quality is reflected in every aspect of her restaurant, from the freshness of the ingredients to the personal attention she gives each guest. “Dining at Melba’s is like coming home for dinner,” she often says, and this sense of belonging keeps people coming back time and again. In a city as vast and fast-paced as New York, where new restaurants open and close in the blink of an eye, Melba’s has thrived because it offers something that transcends trends—authenticity, warmth, and consistency.
Staying True to Her Roots
Throughout her journey, Melba has remained true to her Harlem roots. She is a fixture in the community, always looking for ways to give back and support the people who have supported her. Her restaurant isn’t just a business; it reflects her love for Harlem and the people there. Whether through charity events, mentoring aspiring chefs, or providing meals to those in need, Melba continues to find ways to uplift her community.
Her success story is one of grit, perseverance, and an unyielding commitment to excellence. Melba’s journey from saving money under her mattress to owning one of Harlem’s most beloved restaurants inspires anyone with a dream. She shows you can turn even the most modest beginnings into something extraordinary with hard work, dedication, and a little heart.
In a world that often focuses on quick success and flashy achievements, Melba Wilson stands out as a role model for staying grounded, working hard, and never forgetting where you come from. Her story is a reminder that the road to success is often paved with small, consistent efforts—and that sometimes, those efforts can add up to more than you ever imagined.
Melba understands that for many of us, the memory of walking into our grandmama’s great-smelling kitchen was an extraordinary experience. Even better than the food was that sense of love, security, and being home. Somehow, Melba captured this experience, allowing us to journey back in time.
I’m hungry, people!
Next time you are in NY City, stop by and experience this magic.
I’m ready to order – Jamaican Oxtails, Grits, Collards, Cornbread, and sweet iced tea!
Click below for Melba’s restaurant website
https://search.app/kBc3HkxE8myB5gWW8
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ABOUT ME
I am a proud nerd (as my beautiful wife and daughter have told me) investment and finance blogger with an N.C. State, Chemical Engineering, University Rutgers, MBA and Harvard University, Advanced Management education.
I left a corporate career because I desired to make a difference as a speaker and writer. I was blessed to be coached and mentored by strong women and men in my family and professional life. It is my time to serve and give back.
DISCLAIMER
I started my first business at ~13 years of age (a small but brilliantly created plant nursery). I am a successful investor in stocks, options, and real estate and am happy to share my finance and investment lessons. I am NOT a licensed financial advisor. Please do not construe my suggestions on this blog as recommendations for your situation. As an investor, you must establish your risk/loss tolerance. Investment in any asset involves risk, including complete loss.
Please seek your licensed CPA or fiduciary financial advisors for individual financial advice.
I write this weekly blog to make an impact by reaching an audience and demonstrating the need for financial literacy. I will help you get there.
