Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Simone Handy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Simone, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Before the official launch of Acts Of Love Corp. in 2020, from witnessing firsthand and information gathered through conversations with school counselors, social workers, and families revealed a growing need that could no longer be ignored. We learned that while some in our communities may qualify for government assistance, many others fall through the cracks and suffer in silence, struggling to meet even the most basic needs. That reality stirred a deep conviction that compassion had to move beyond concern into action.
What began as helping a few families with food and basic necessities revealed a deeper gap, support that was personal, responsive, and rooted in dignity. That’s what made this a worthwhile endeavor. While others were serving the community, Acts Of Love offered a relational approach, reaching families who might otherwise be overlooked and showing love in tangible ways.
What excited me most was creating something that met immediate needs while restoring hope. I believed small acts of love, done consistently, could make a lasting impact and that belief has proven true as we’ve grown and continue transforming lives one family at a time.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a wife, boy mom, immigrant from Jamaica, and purpose-driven entrepreneur who knows firsthand how the kindness of others can make a world of difference, because I’ve experienced both generosity and lack. Those lived experiences shaped my heart for service, my resilience, and my passion for creating opportunities for others.
My journey into this work has always been rooted in impact. At Acts Of Love Corp., I lead initiatives that support families through feeding programs, educational assistance, and emergency support because I understand what it means when someone shows up for you in a difficult season. That understanding is what inspired me to build an organization centered on showing love in tangible ways.
I’m also a travel business leader and coach for Handy’s Ultimate Travel, helping people experience the world through meaningful travel while showing others how the travel industry can create income, freedom, and legacy. Whether through service or entrepreneurship, I’m passionate about helping people expand what they believe is possible.
What sets me apart is that I lead from lived experience, heart, and strategy. I don’t just teach empowerment; I try to embody it. I’m most proud of building work that serves people in practical ways, whether that means helping a family in crisis or helping someone step into business ownership.
What I want people to know about me and my brand is that everything I do is rooted in empowerment, compassion, and purpose. I believe our stories can become someone else’s hope, and I’m committed to using mine to uplift, serve, and help others rise.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One lesson I had to unlearn was believing I had to do everything on my own. Life experiences, being an immigrant, formerly a single mother, and someone who has experienced lack, shaped in me a survival mindset: work hard, carry the load, don’t ask for help, and figure it out yourself. For a long time, I wore independence like a badge of honor, believing strength meant handling everything alone. But over time, I realized that mindset, while born out of resilience, could also become limiting. I had to unlearn that doing it all by myself was a sign of strength and embrace that true strength also looks like trusting others, receiving support, and allowing community to help carry the vision.
The backstory is rooted in both necessity and resilience. There were seasons where being self-reliant wasn’t a choice, it was how I made it through. But as I grew in leadership, business, and nonprofit work, I had to unlearn the idea that strength means doing it all alone. I learned that collaboration is not weakness, asking for support is not failure, and community is often how vision expands.
That lesson changed how I lead and live. It taught me to trust others, build partnerships, delegate, and receive support as freely as I give it. Ironically, unlearning radical self-reliance is what allowed me to make a greater impact. I’ve come to believe legacy is rarely built alone.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been relationship-building rooted in trust, authenticity, and visibility. Whether through my nonprofit work or travel business, I’ve found that people connect with people before they connect with services. Leading with value, serving well, and building genuine relationships has generated strong word-of-mouth referrals and loyal clients.
Community events and networking have also been a major part of my growth. Showing up in the community, collaborating, attending events, and building real connections has opened doors to partnerships, new clients, and opportunities I couldn’t have reached through marketing alone.
I’ve also been intentional about attraction marketing, sharing stories, educating, and positioning my brand around impact, not just promotion. By focusing on relationships over transactions and consistently showing up both online and in person, I’ve been able to grow a strong and organic client base.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.actsoflovecorp.org / www.handysultimatetravel.com
- Instagram: @actsoflovecorp /@handysultimatetravel
