Hearing care practice leaders have no shortage of options when choosing a business partner, which is why Melissa Rice believes every conversation should begin with understanding what matters most to them.
“I’m responsible for bringing new members into Audigy and helping to set them up for success,” she explains.
As a Regional Sales Manager of New Market Development, Melissa spends her days building relationships with prospective members, helping them determine whether Audigy is the right fit for their practice, and ensuring they’re set up for long-term success.
That member-first approach paired with an unwavering sense of optimism earned her the 2025 Q3 Anthony Positive Thinking Award, recognizing an employee who demonstrates exceptional positivity, strength, and persistence in the workplace and in support of Audigy’s members.
Although Melissa joined Audigy in March 2025 from outside the hearing care industry, her background in healthcare marketing, business consulting, and professional training prepared her well for helping independent practice owners navigate important business decisions.
Today she is invaluable in turning prospective members into long-term partners.
As a colleague says, “Melissa approaches every call, every conversation, and every new opportunity with passion and a genuinely positive attitude.”
Finding the Right Fit
As Regional Sales Manager of New Market Development, Melissa spends her time helping hearing care leaders determine whether Audigy membership is the right fit for their business and ensuring Audigy is equally suited to support their goals.
Her work takes her from virtual meetings and the corporate office to airports, highways, and hearing care practices across the country.
One week she may be meeting with practice owners in California, and the next, she’s connecting with prospective members in Nebraska. Whether she’s conducting scheduled consultations or introducing herself to practices through in-person visits, every conversation begins with understanding the unique needs of each business.
Supporting Members Beyond Day One
Melissa’s support doesn’t end when someone joins Audigy.
She works closely with new members during onboarding and remains a trusted resource whenever questions arise.
“I am always a resource to a member that I’ve brought on,” she says. “Even though I don’t support them on a daily basis, if they need something, I’m ready to find the answer for them.”
She also collaborates closely with manufacturer representatives and internal subject matter experts, helping members benefit from the strength of Audigy’s relationships across the hearing care industry.
For Melissa, every successful partnership begins with making sure both the practice and Audigy are positioned to succeed together.
Positivity That Makes a Difference
Melissa’s ability to build meaningful relationships is rooted in the positivity she brings to every interaction, a quality recognized through her Anthony Positive Thinking Award.
Whether she’s traveling to meet prospective members, learning about the unique goals of each practice, or helping new members get started, Melissa approaches every opportunity with persistence, optimism, and a genuine desire to help others succeed.
Her colleagues say, “Melissa might be new to our industry, but she has brought her creativity and work ethic to create a new level of efficiency.”
Those qualities not only strengthen relationships with members but also contribute to the collaborative culture for which Audigy is known.
Growing Personally and Professionally
One of the things Melissa appreciates most about working at Audigy is the company’s commitment to supporting employees beyond their day-to-day responsibilities.
Through Audigy’s personal, professional, and financial (PPF) goal framework, she’s expanded the way she thinks about growth.
While she’s always been driven by ambitious professional goals, the PPF process encouraged her to set meaningful personal goals as well, including volunteering to help maintain local hiking trails.
That experience gave her a new appreciation for the effort that goes into preserving public spaces. Now, every time she hikes, she notices the carefully placed rocks, thoughtfully designed switchbacks, and countless hours of work that go into maintaining those trails.
Professionally, the quarterly and annual goal-setting process has helped her stay focused, celebrate progress, and maintain momentum toward lasting success.
Life Outside the Office
When Melissa isn’t traveling to support members, she’s usually spending time in the great outdoors. She enjoys trail running, hiking, practicing yoga, and exploring places like the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Melissa also credits much of her personal and professional growth to the role models who inspire her. Ultra-marathoner Rachel Entrekin’s philosophy of pushing beyond perceived limits resonates deeply, as does the encouragement she’s received from her husband, Luke, whose confidence in her abilities helped her transition from a career in art and education into the business world.
As Entrekin says, “Somebody has to win, so … why not believe that it could be you?”
That mindset reflects the same positivity and determination Melissa brings to her work every day and the very qualities that won her the Anthony Positive Thinking Award.
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