We recently connected with Mavis Muhammad and have shared our conversation below.

Mavis, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The idea to start my counseling business came when I was recovering from an illness in 2007. The name Overcomers Foundation rang loudly in my head and I began putting my thoughts on yellow post-it notes. Before long, I had those post-its all over every mirror in my apartment. My business took off slowly and progressed over the years and then waned a bit. Today I have launched the twin sister to it and named it Overcomers Life Solutions LLC. My passion to help those with the issue of substance abuse is birthed out of my personal experience and recovery from it. I began working in the substance abuse field as a Technical Aide, then pursued an LCDC which I received in 2008. This is one of the country’s biggest problems, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it is a worthwhile endeavor, because it saves people’s lives. I launched Overcomers Life Solutions. website on May 11, 2022, and know that I have a different paradigm of counseling that attracts clients. My approach is solution-oriented and focuses on getting to the root of the problem, not just skimming the surface. I have the ability to empathize with clients, which is critical to building trust and rapport. have been blessed to have many successes with clients I have provided services and look forward to many more in the future.

Mavis, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a native of Houston, Texas, a mother of five, a proud grandmother of 12, and a proud great-grandmother of 3. I was raised by a loving mother and father who made sure that I had all the love that I needed. Today I am a registered member of the Nation of Islam under the leadership of The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan., of which I am most proud. It is said that life is the best teacher, and personal experience is how I got into my business. I believe that had I not made the choices that I made, I would not have been guided into the counseling profession. The services that I offer are; drug and alcohol counseling, anger resolution therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, life skills, coping skills, mental health support services, and trauma-related clinical services. What sets me apart from others is that I believe in giving clients the truth and not conforming to the traditional. People’s needs have evolved with the times and I must evolve in the services that I provide if I want to remain relevant and effective. I am most proud to have been chosen by God to provide life-saving services to those that want them. My motto is “Helping those to help themselves”, which means that a person must do the work for themselves. My brand is here to encourage people to believe that they can “overcome” any obstacle in life and become the best version of themselves.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My journey has been one with many twists and turns. I was a single mom and had to provide support for my family throughout this journey. When the idea for a counseling business came to me, I was in a position that allowed me to pursue that dream. Life presented me with many challenges; medical, financial, and emotional. Some of them were more serious than others, but I was blessed to overcome them all. Overcoming an addiction is no small feat, but with perseverance, doing the work, and much prayer I was blessed with that victory. After my first business attempt waned, I never gave up on the idea that it would resurface sometime in the future. I held on to my faith, planned, and when I was guided to know the time was right, by God, I launched it. I continue to be patient with its progress and believe with everything in me that it will flourish! It takes resilience to keep believing in your dream, even if it gets placed on hold. it takes resilience to understand that my timing is not God’s timing, and it takes faith to trust that His timing is always right.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson that I had to unlearn was, I can’t help someone who doesn’t want help. When I first started my counseling career, I was so excited to work with a population with whom I could relate. I shared my experience, strength, and hope with each one of them, believing that it would do the trick. I recall when I lost my first client to an overdose and how devastated I felt. I literally hyperventilated in my supervisor’s office for several minutes. At that moment, it sunk in that I cannot save people from themselves. I had to learn and accept the fact that some would have to die so others can live. Today, I accept the fact that the services I provide are just one part of the puzzle of recovering from an addiction, and that the other part has to be done by the client. I am blessed to receive new lessons regularly in my work with those struggling with addiction, and I am grateful for each and every one. With each new lesson, I am granted a new revelation of how to be the best counselor of all time.

Contact Info:

• Website: Overcomerslifesolutions.com
• Instagram: godscounselor22
• Facebook: Overcomers Life Solutions LLC
• Twitter: @godscounselor22

Image Credits
Brother Abdul Qiyam Muhammad-Website & Social Media Manager