Overcomer series with Michele Sigler

What do you do?

I am a full-time counselor at our local Community College, but my passion is making wreaths over on my website,  That Wreath Lady.  I often tell people that I am a wreath and craft showaholic.

Growing up, did you always dream that you would be doing what you’re doing now?

I never dreamed that I would be That Wreath Lady. I was creative in other ways but not with my hands. When I started this journey, it was for fun and then when people actually liked my creations enough to buy them, I was blown away.

My dream as a child was to be a movie star. At least now there is Facebook Live and I can kinda feel like a movie star even if only 5 people are watching.

What made you decide to “go for it” in terms of your career goals/ambitions?

After I sold my first wreath, the craft bug hit me hard. I started to create more and attended craft shows where I would sell out. I have been an entrepreneur at heart but never could put my finger on what it was. Seeing that I could make some money doing something I loved was my a-ha moment. I am working toward making this my full-time business and in the process, teach other creatives to do the same thing. We all have gifts and talents. Sometimes we just need a little nudge to get moving in the right direction

Did you face adversity? How did you overcome that?

I have been diagnosed with Bipolar Depression. There are days when I can’t even get out of bed, much less make a wreath. This diagnosis has created so much chaos and sadness not just in my life, but in my family’s too. The feeling of worthlessness and overwhelming sadness and knowing that this is something that you will have to manage for life is not a fun realization. I hid my symptoms for so many years. Little did I know that turmoil I was putting my family through. Due to the depression, there are moments in my life that I have no recollection of and that makes my heart sad.

Not long ago, when I was at my worst, I was so tired and so depressed. I found myself in the emergency room of my local hospital and something in me told me that enough was enough. I needed help and I needed it now. Shortly thereafter, I began to see a psychiatrist. That is when I was officially diagnosed. It’s funny to look back and remember the day that he gave me a prescription that said: “find a hobby and do it”. That was right before I started making wreaths. Through medication management and wreath making (which I tell everyone is my therapy), I have come so far. I still have bad days and that’s ok. I am so much healthier and happier now and all I had to do was ask for help and follow the doctor’s orders.

A lot of women have these big goals & big ideas that they’d like to bring to life, what advice would you give them in terms of how they can make that happen?

Don’t listen to those that tell you it can’t be done or that your idea is silly. You are strong and your dreams and ambitions are important. There is nothing that you can’t accomplish if you are willing to do the work and ride it out through the good and bad. Business will never be perfect as you are not perfect. Some days will be filled with success and sells and blogs exploded and some days will have no cha-chings, no readers, and feeling of giving up. Don’t give up. Never give up. If you do, you are not only giving up on your business but you are giving up on yourself.

What’s the biggest regret you have when it comes to your blog/shop/business?

My biggest regret deals with my depression and that I didn’t get help sooner. I honestly believe that my craft would have happened much sooner in my life if I had sought help for my mental health. I would be so further ahead in my business but this is a journey, whether it started today or years ago.

What’s been your proudest moment so far?

My proudest moment so far was my first sell out at a craft show. I was in tears and when the last wreath sold, all of the vendors around me cheered. I now have customers that attend the same show every year coming just to buy a wreath from me.

And, just because we like our coffee around here, how do you take yours?

A little coffee with my cream.

I believe in the story of the overcomer. That has been my story and I believe that is your story too. We want your journey here on the blog to help encourage others just like you and me. If you’d like to share that with us, please come over and share your story with us!

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