Her story is one of extreme faith, perseverance, and evidence that we all have the power to overcome any obstacle. We hold in our hands the ability and tools to change our fate. Michelle grew up with no money in Tybee Island, GA. living in a house with a leaky roof, no hot water, and a tub on cinder blocks. Michelle was often tormented by the other kids and was given the name “Food Stamp Queen.” In spite of all that was going on in her life she managed hold on to the belief that she was meant for better.
As a teenager, Michelle was homeless. She lived behind a dumpster of a local restaurant in Savannah, GA. “Even then I knew this would not be my life forever. At night I would go to the beach and draw houses in the sand. Not just any house, the house my family would live in,” says Michelle. She has been through trials that many of us only read in newspapers or see on television.
When she was old enough, Michelle got a job as a bartender and surprisingly she was a natural. That skill eventually grew into Michelle owning her own Martini Bar where she became known for her fruit infused vodkas. Over time, her growing clientele began asking for new southern inspired flavors which Michelle successfully created and from that Southern Curves was born.
If only we could report that after that it was all rainbows and sunshine but unfortunately we can’t. Michelle still had much to overcome in order to get her product on the shelves. “Walking into a boardroom of 50+ high level decision makers (out of which only 4 or 5 are women) is not an easy thing to do,” Michelle says. “The men look at me as if I am out of place and have no right to infiltrate their industry." Michelle continues to have to prove that she and her product are worthy to stand against more established brands in an industry of male dominated sales teams and decision makers.
What fuels your passion? “The desire to prove to women (especially my daughter) that anything is possible and when you have a dream don’t let anything stop you. Many nights I cried on the bathroom floor questioning what I was doing. But my heart is in this and I just can’t stop. I want others to do the same.
I applaud Michelle for her boldness to unapologetically tell her story and even confessed personally that I don’t think I’m that bold…yet. She smiled and said “It’s so liberating! Once it’s out there it’s out there and can do what it was meant to do and that’s to encourage someone else.” She shared her story with the intention of empowering other women to believe that although your past matters, it is NOT as important as your future. Those struggles, pains, fears, and trials should be used to build the foundation for a better life not weights that hold you down forever.
What has been your biggest obstacle in getting your brand on shelves? “Money, in this industry you have to have a product before securing a distributor or generating any revenue. Essentially you spend $150,000 or more hoping your product will get picked up.”
Fortunately Michelle was able to find an investor who believed in her product and Southern Curves Southern Curves appeared on the shelves of Savannah stores two and a half years later and is will be making its way to Atlanta in the early part of this year. Proof that nothing happens overnight and your dreams will cost you time, money, energy, and dedication.
“I’m on a mission!” Michelle exclaims. She plans to use proceeds from sales to establish two non-profit foundations. One will be dedicated to women who have a dream and need funding to create a better life for themselves. This goes far beyond business ownership. It will also be for those who wish to go to school, move out of poverty, etc. The second is in honor of her sister who passed at the age of 23 leaving behind a 3 year old daughter. Fighting back tears Michelle told us that her sister died worrying about how her baby girl would be taken care of and who would take care of her. She accepted the fact that she was dying but was burdened with the reality that she had nothing to leave her daughter. The foundation will be dedicated to giving financial relief to the caretakers of young children whose mother is dying of cancer.
What is your definition of a BOSS? To be a BOSS is to take responsibility for your dream. No matter how many people you have working for you at the end of the day the success or failure of your company or endeavor depends on you.
If you had 30 seconds to speak to every girl in America what would you tell them? Don’t be lazy! It’s ok to depend on other people but overall you should be able to depend on yourself and never give up on you.