Mainland

Melanie Heicklen joined <a href="https://www.hellomainland.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-melanie-heicklen-left-the-real-estate-industry-to-join-mainland-2711467" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mainland</a> in April of 2019 and has already solidified her place as a vital member of the account management team. Heicklen grew up in New Jersey, just outside of New York City. While Heicklen struggled to find her niche in school, she discovered that her confidence and strong communication skills made her well-suited for sales and media relations.&nbsp;Melanie attended the University of Colorado in Boulder where she majored in Journalism and Media Studies. “My people skills turned out to be my greatest asset in the workforce because I knew how to leverage personal relationships and interface with clients in a way that really drives results and growth,” said Heicklen.&nbsp;Heicklen’s family is in the real estate business, and it was an industry within which she always felt a certain level of comfort. During school, Heicklen worked several internships in the real estate industry, and after graduation landed a job with <a href="https://www.corcoran.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-melanie-heicklen-left-the-real-estate-industry-to-join-mainland-2711467" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Corcoran Group</a>—a powerhouse of New York real estate.&nbsp;“A big part of real estate is helping people to envision their lives,” said Heicklen. “It’s very aspirational—you’re selling people a lifestyle.”Following her time at the Corcoran Group, Heicklen got her first taste of agency life at a small, 12-person firm in NYC. It was there that she started working in branding, website development and marketing for real estate. “When I moved to Chicago I wanted to recreate a similar environment,” said Heicklen. “I was interested in surrounding myself with high-achieving, intelligent and goal-oriented people, but I also wanted to solidify relationships and create some roots of my own in a new city.”After reaching out to <a href="https://www.nolimitagency.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-melanie-heicklen-left-the-real-estate-industry-to-join-mainland-2711467" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">No Limit Agency</a> after a brief stint with a home services franchise, Heicklen realized the <a href="https://www.nolimitagency.com/about?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-melanie-heicklen-left-the-real-estate-industry-to-join-mainland-2711467" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">culture-driven community</a> was exactly what she was looking for.&nbsp;“Something that I learned through my prior roles was that I definitely wanted to do something interactive and relationship-forward,” Heicklen said. “I think the real estate industry really set me up for that in terms of learning how to establish those personal relationships. At the end of the day, marketing is marketing, whether you’re selling a fitness brand or a penthouse apartment. You have to find common ground with your audience.”By working with primarily franchise brands in her role with Mainland, Heicklen has found a calling through which she is allowed to not only form those relationships with clients, but to propel them forward toward growth through strategic marketing, content creation and public relations efforts.&nbsp;“What I love about Mainland is helping local business owners find success and realize their dreams,” Heicklen said. “We find what makes an individual interesting and what sets them apart from the competition, and through that we create their stories and tell them to the world.”“There’s a lot of emotionality that you invest into a business alongside your finances,” Heicklen continued, “and I love being a part of that transformation for franchisees.”Heicklen regularly speaks with business owners who have <a href="https://1851franchise.com/mosquitohunters/how-mosquito-hunters-first-franchisee-overcame-physical-obstacles-to-pursue-business-ownership-2707768">overcome huge obstacles</a>, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/saladworks/why-saladworks-is-the-perfect-franchise-opportunity-for-veterans-2710864#franchisee">served in the armed forces</a>, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/burnbootcamp/christina-hegna-wanted-to-make-more-time-for-fitness-so-naturally-shes-opening-a-burn-boot-camp-franchise-2709824#brand-latest-stories">experienced a physical transformation through fitness</a> and more. “Being able to manage that relationship and be the one that helps them find a tangible piece of success is so special to me. For many of our clients, the work we do for them could result in the first time seeing their name in print. That’s a huge milestone that we get to be a part of.”“I think the biggest part of finding the right career path comes from identifying your strengths,” Heicklen concluded. “Evaluate a job not just based on your career goals, but how it caters to the community that you fit into.”&nbsp;

Why Melanie Heicklen Left the Real Estate Industry to Join Mainland

1851 Franchise

Account Manager Melanie Heicklen found her strength in account management at Mainland through a background in real estate sales. 


This brand page has been paid for by MAINLAND. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

why-melanie-heicklen-left-the-real-estate-industry-to-join-mainland

INFORMATION

Contact

About Mainland

Hello by Mainland

Other Publications

Learn

Download Brochure

Visit Website

MAINLAND

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

SOCIAL MEDIA

MAINLAND MOST READ STORIES

1851 LOGIN

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

ABOUT MAINLAND

CONTACT MAINLAND

facebook

instagram

linkedin

First Name

Last Name

Email

Phone

Comments

Contact Mainland

1851 Franchise Coffee & Analytics graphic with headshot of Nick Powills

What to Implement in 2026 According to 2025 Franchisee Surveys

2026-franchise-growth-strategies

Coffee & analytics image with photo of Nick Powills

Athletes And Franchising: Why the Connection Runs Deep

athletes-in-franchising

1851 Franchise Coffee & Analytics image with blue background and photo of Nick Powills

Why Melanie Heicklen Left the Real Estate Industry to Join Mainland

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS