Meet Mel Helm | Financial Analyst & Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mel Helm and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mel, how do you define success?
Success is knowing you have helped touch another life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
You do! You are worth it! This is my main job haha! My job is to make sure you are reminded every day I think the world of you and your ideas those both  mean everything to the world. Let’s get this life started! In my youth I was a gothic vampire aka Blood sucker, Fast forward to today during the day I am still a blood sucker and take on several banking projects for different financial entities with my team during the day. Now job number 2 is helping and giving back to the community of skateboarding through the Lean App Network. We allow users to collect donations/sponsors for skateboarding clips. I started this network to help under privilege skateboarders all over the country. Check us out on Google/Itunes under Lean Network. On the weekends the Lean App Network also hosts live events at local skateparks in many cities that sometimes tend to be a little rundown. Lean App Network,  BIBO skateboards, and One Sun fun go to these neighborhoods and put on these skateboarding events allowing kids to win prizes & cash for skateboarding. My 3rd Job is Photography. During the pandemic I wasn’t “essential” but my lens and camera were. I went out and started taking photos of objects,old cars, and graffitti art. I eventually found myself shooting Nascar vehicles at Nascar race events. My most important final Job is being a mother to Isla Pearl Jettie and our Bearded Dragon Edgar.

Is this easy? Of course! Knock me down ill just come back running lolz. No, it does become very fast paced and overwhelming at times. I get offered so many projects from different brands I find myself having to say no at times. The challenges I face is being able to create content on a daily basis for the Lean app Network, while running two other companies on the side.

I want the world and everyone to know YOU ARE WORTH IT, IT’S GOING TO BE OK. I don’t think people hear that enough. One of the most beautiful feelings in the world is knowing you tried something over, over, and now you are failing, but you keep trying ,and then one day….after all those failures you finally land on your own two feet! Then its time for the next trick haha! This is exactly what skateboarding is and Lean App Network is here to show everyone.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to LA !!! LOLZ but to some it up I would take them to the beaches and a few art museums. Our Friday would start off with a few arcades (I’m a gamer at heart) then perhaps over to a few of the beaches in palo verdes. On Saturday I would take us to the last book store in DTLA. The Book Store has a great atmosphere and lots of creativity and art pieces there. Finally of course you know we are going to hit up the skateboarding spots ha! There are several hidden areas in LA where fires burnt down homes and the homes were never rebuilt, however the concrete  pools are still there. One of favorite skatespots would be the sunken city in San Pedro.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate this shout out to the entire Skateboard Community and to my daughter Isla Pearl. I have not stopped working, and it’s because of their support, patience, and sacrifice I am able to keep going. I would like to especially shout out to BIBO Skateboards Aaron Rivera, and Anthony Valdez for both Taking over Sundays with One Sun Fun.

Website: leanforchange.net

Instagram: lean_app_

Linkedin: Amelia Helm

Other: Lean on Lean Network