Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Ellis-Williams.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I chose to enter the Home Care industry in 2014 after going through a life-changing event that challenged me to find and pursue my life’s mission. I have always been a firm believer that we are all on this Earth for a reason – that every one of us has a special calling on our lives.
Unfortunately, until then, my life had been so busy to the point where I did not have time to listen to my soul. I have always known that the soul is where the truth about our true selves lies, so I went on a soul searching mission.
I grabbed a pen and plain sheet of paper and sat on the couch silently listening to my soul. After a few hours of soul-searching, the exercise bore fruit, and I discovered the truth about myself – the whole, messy truth.
I took my plain sheet of paper, folded it in half and quickly filled one side with all the things I loved and filled the remaining half with my dislikes. I did not hold back; I went “Hard in the Paint” LOL (Yes, I am a basketball and military mom).
Through this exercise, I identified the things I loved to do – the things that gave me the energy to go on – the things that brightened my life. In the same way, I discovered the things that I hated – the things that depressed me – the things that drained the life out of me.
And that is how I identified my true love – to serve and help others. It is also during this exercise or activity that I discovered I particularly enjoyed spending time with the elderly.
I realized I had a soft spot for these people. In short, I identified a true love for the elderly and Voilà! Just like that, I had discovered my passion – my life’s mission – Senior Care!!!
I felt that I wanted to offer these individuals the best of me and since most had already expressed a desire to age gracefully in the comfort of their homes, I, together with my husband Robert, decided to fulfill their hearts desires. And that is how Astin Home Care was born.
Fast forward four years, Astin Home Care is a thriving agency serving families in Fulton, Cobb, Douglas, Clayton, DeKalb, Fayette, Cherokee, Pickens, Carroll and ten other counties.
Robert and I have since discovered we share a lot more in common including the love to volunteer and give back to the community.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road to success has not been smooth, and I have certainly had my share of bad days. I have been tempted to give up; I have had to start all over severally only to get stronger and wiser with each new beginning. After all, for me, senior care is not just a job – it is my calling.
As a survivor of domestic abuse and having to flee my birthplace, New York, with my kids in tow, fearing for our lives, I have learned to thrive and not allow circumstances to define me. I have since adapted a saying I picked from a book I read last year that says “Every day in every way, I’m getting better and better.” I recite these words every single day, and I can confidently say that they have helped me to achieve great heights in life.
I have also adopted a saying from David Aka, a vendor/successful entrepreneur in Cumberland Mall. David says, “Sleep is 4 Suckers.”
We must stay awake and make things happen to control our future. This will allow us to better our families, our communities and help establish next generation!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Astin Home Care is a Private Duty Home Care Agency licensed by the Georgia Department of Community Health. We specialize in serving seniors and individuals with disabilities in the comfort of their homes.
Our Certified Nursing Assistants assist individuals in assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, as well as those receiving Hospice support with personal care, companionship, meal preparation, errands and more.
We are licensed to serve 19 counties with authorization from The Georgia Department of Community Health to train caregivers via our 40 Personal Care Aide Training Program. We are proud to have had the opportunity to train scores of single mothers and to provide them with jobs, thus empowering them economically “Free of Charge.”
As the CEO and Founder of Astin Home Care, my focus is on enhancing the lives of others while stimulating the economy by providing jobs for the community.
My passion for helping others has led me to assist budding “HomeCarePreneurs”(Home Care Coaching Clients) enter and thrive in the private duty non-medical home care industry. The desire to serve others has elevated me as an international business coach with clients across the United States and in 5 other Countries.
My YouTube Channel (Coach Michele) has given me the platform to teach, train, consult and coach individuals on how to successfully start, grow and maintain compliance with their local, State, and Federal Government guidelines.
Astin Home Care is proud to be honored by Caring.com as 1 of America’s Best In-Home Care Agency. We love serving our community as much as we love giving back to our community.
What were you like growing up?
As a child growing up in the South Bronx, I excelled both in school work and sports. I particularly remember my Mom coming to school and the teachers praising her for having an honor roll student for a daughter.
After school, I would play at the park together with other kids from the neighborhood, and that’s when I discovered my hidden talent – running. A track coach in the Bronx discovered my talent after watching my friends and I racing each other and quickly recruited me to be his “Golden Goose” to carry him to fame. I specialized in running the 200 meters and team relay.
I was known for my speed and commitment to achieving results. With over 200 trophies and hundreds of medals, I was on the “fast” track to obtaining a full scholarship for college.
But as life would have it, I became pregnant at the age of 15 and dropped out of high school. At that time, many thought my path to success had ended, but I thought otherwise – I knew I would rise again somehow!
Amid the whirlwind, caught between childhood, adulthood and “living hood,” the love for my unborn son burned in my heart. The mere thought that my unborn son depended only on me gave me all the drive I needed to succeed despite many thoughts and fears that threatened to hold me back.
One particular thought that kept ringing in my ears was, “Should I or should I not put the father’s name on the birth certificate?” This was because I feared it could disrupt possible government assistance.
I boldly decided I would not be a statistic. I obtained my GED and became certified as a Nursing Assistant, started college and graduated with a degree in General Education.
I eventually became an entrepreneur, went through multiple challenges, errors, and mistakes but today, 30+ years, I am in a loving and healthy marriage. Robert and I are very happy together with our combined children – 7 adult children and 6 grandchildren.
I am a successful serial-prenuer, I love life, I love who I am, and I love serving others!
Contact Info:
- Address: 4751 Best Rd., Ste. 177
Atlanta, GA 30337 - Website: www.AstinHomeCare.com
- Phone: 770-790-0012
- Email: Care@AstinCare.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AstinHomeCare/
- Twitter: @aasconcierge
- Other: https://www.caring.com/local/in-home-care-in-atlanta-georgia/astin-home-care
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
