When Michelle Wells’ best friend said “you can’t open a domestic violence non-profit,” she said “watch me!” She is founder and CEO of Love Me Like a Princess. Michelle is a domestic abuse survivor who has risen above all odds to escape her abuser, become self-sufficient, and move on to tirelessly help other victims who are willing to help themselves by providing services and resources necessary to thrive.
To begin her healing from abuse, Michelle searched for resources to heal not only her mind but her body and soul. She went to leaders in the community for mentoring and they helped her become the leader it takes to help other women. “Through the pain I endured, I created a program for survivors. I show no violence nor do we talk about the abuse. I have workshops where I bring in doctors and professionals in each area. The list includes nutritionists, life coaches, doctors to teach mindfulness meditation, dentists, etiquette teachers, and fashion consultants. We not only give these ladies life skills that many take for granted but we slowly get them introduced back to society.”
Coming up with the name for her non-profit wasn’t easy for Michelle. She wanted something different, something that meant hope. “The scripture, Corinthians 13:13 is what I’ve been searching for my whole life – Love. I named the non-profit “Love Me Like a Princess.” I truly did not know how it felt to be loved. It was my friend’s dog Princess who showed me love for the first time. She loved me for who I was, wanted nothing in return, just simply to love me. She inspired me to start loving myself, which was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”
Michelle gives Vicki Bowen, the CEO of Dress for Success, a lot of credit for helping her get back on her feet. “Vicki has a passion of helping others. She treats all her clients as people and not a number. It’s not just a job for her, it’s her love and passion. I gained a lot of my business etiquette from Vicki and the board members. I would study how they dressed, walked, talked and how they carried themselves. They are huge role models for me.”
In the future, Michelle would like to see all the domestic abuse agencies be linked up together, to give hope and inspiration to all. “Like telephone poles linked together around the world – to give people knowledge of how to move forward in society and gain independence to be the best they can be.” She will continue to help survivors and their children worldwide, to gain the knowledge and power to move forward after abuse.
To find out how you can help, please visit www.lovemelikeaprincess.org.