We were lucky to catch up with Michelle Banks recently and have shared our conversation below.

Michelle, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

I am very grateful to be a happy business owner. I used to wonder what it would be like to have a regular job, but then realized that God made me unique, and has called me to step out of my comfort zone to fulfill the calling he has on my life. Few years back, I was led to leave my part time job and stepped out on faith to pursue my calligraphy business full time. It didn’t make sense to my natural mind, but so glad I did not lean unto my own understanding about it. I believe my most striking confirmation was when I received the email stating that I was awarded a full scholarship to train under a calligraphy artist (Laura Hooper Calligraphy) that I admired for so many years, for a 6 month mentorship.

Michelle, 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?

It all started back when I was living in Texas, and I saw a co worker with invitations that she was handwiriting at work. I thought to myself, I have pretty good hand writing, so maybe I should try. I began receiving correspondence in the mail with the beautiful art of writing on them all of a sudden. Then when we moved to Alabama, I decided to enroll in a calligraphy class. Most people were in the class to learn how to address envelopes, but I was encouraged by my peers to start a business. I really believe God was ordering my steps even then. My husband and I have four children, and we had a lot of bills and responsibility so I wanted to make my own money to be able to get things that would not disrupt the family budget, as well as help out and be a blessing to others. I love receiving nice gifts, but I like to give them too:-)

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

As some people may know, I am considered a two time cancer survivor. I was diagnosed back in 2011 with stage three triple negative breast cancer and a rare bone cancer in 2014. I had to undergo chemo and radiation both times, the second time receiving 17 rounds of treatment and being admitted to a hospital while receiving the treatment. While the prognosis didn’t look good at first, I was determined that God had a plan. I remember one night when I was at my lowest point, I opened my bible to Psalm 139 which reads…He knew me before I was knit in my mother’s womb and all the days of my life, he knew them before even one of them came to be. The love of Jesus met me in that dark moment, and I have been trusting and walking with Him (not perfectly) every step of the way since. Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed. Prov 16:3.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Being Consistent and Confident

Contact Info:

• Website: www.calligraphybymichelle.com
• Instagram: https://michellebcalligraphy.com

Image Credits
Michiko Kurisu took the photo with the flower for the Breast Cancer Awareness Women of Color-Susan G Komen