Written by: Robin M. Wilson, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Mary Wells, 52, is mom to 10-year-old Kaleb and the owner of One Word Encourage LLC, a Cleveland-based company that offers encouragement worldwide through motivational speaking, coaching, books, apparel, and accessories. She is also a self-described “breast cancer-free thriver.”
Mary says her journey to overcome breast cancer inspired her to start her business in 2019. With money that she saved, she took the necessary steps to launch her business that now offers customers a variety of unique bracelets, t-shirts, scarfs, woven hats, journals, and cancer self-care boxes. “I take pride in servicing those who have been impacted by cancer,” Mary said. “I want my customers to feel uplifted to move forward.”
Her company also provides motivational speaking services to conferences and churches that focus on empowering women, especially those whose lives have been affected by cancer. “I want my customers to be encouraged to speak life into themselves,” Mary said. “What we speak dictates the reality of our lives.”
Among the products and services that One Word Encourage LLC provides, Mary says she is most proud of the One Word Encourage Journal Trilogy Series. “When I was unable to journal my journey due to the side effects of neuropathy, the journal was created as a solution to help others…coping with this circumstance.”
Mary’s passion for journaling and enterprise has inspired her son Kaleb to launch a clothing line, the Be Blessed t-shirt line. Kaleb says that his mother’s example has encouraged him to pursue an entrepreneurial path. “I learned to never give up and to keep encouraging people throughout hard times from my mom,” Kaleb said. “I want to continue to be an entrepreneur as an adult.”
Kaleb shared that he wants to collaborate with his mother, encourage others to start businesses, and to earn profits in his business to support charities that benefit young people who have cancer.
“I encourage entrepreneurs to use their gifts and talents to create solutions to improve other people’s daily lives,” Mary said. “Entrepreneurs have the flexibility to work around meeting the needs of family and leaving them a legacy.”
Mary is actively leaving a legacy of encouragement for her son. “One of the ways that I support Kaleb as a budding entrepreneur is by taking the time to listen and understand that his ideas are helpful. I remind Kaleb to talk to God about his ideas and the direction to take first before coming to me,” Mary said. “I’m always reiterating to embrace enjoyment and fun in service.”
As with the audiences that she speaks to, Mary says that she shares her successes and challenges with Kaleb as a teaching tool. “He is very aware that challenges are learning and growth moments. There is a progression that results in better products and service offerings. We celebrate both successes and challenges first, giving glory to God.”
Mary says that she also attributes her success in business to the support of her family and friends. “My mom, son Kaleb Wells, and nephew Timothy Stevens, who are my legacy, have encouraged and supported me during my entrepreneurial journey.”
Earlier this year, Mary and I met through the Global Pep Squad, a global network of Christian entrepreneurs, where she serves as the Pep Squad captain. She encourages business leaders who tune into the “Pep Talk with Tisha Hammond” podcast to engage in the conversation by contributing comments.
When she is not raising her son, running her business, or serving as the Global Pep Squad captain, Mary serves as a chaplain, mentor, and prayer leader in global partnership with the non-profit 501(c) ministry My Sister’s Keeper Cleveland, where she offers support to women who are in various phases of their breast cancer journey. She also serves as a contributing writer for Career Mastered Magazine, an international magazine for business women, where she writes articles that focus on self-breast exams.
In her business and in life, Mary spreads positivity and peace. If you want to support her by doing the same, visit One Word Encourage.
Positivity & Peace XOXO
Acknowledgments: Mary acknowledged and credited the following people with encouraging and supporting her entrepreneurial journey: my Mom, son Kaleb Wells, and nephew Timothy Stevens, who are my legacy, Dr. Monica Bess, Kathy Anders, Pastor Tameaka Reid Sims, and The Awaken In The Word Family, Kimberly Fitten, Kimalon Dixon, Brittany Price, Tisha Hammond, The Global Pep Squad, Trina Poole, Dr. Lisa Wicker, My Sister’s Keeper Cleveland, Rolonda Stephens-Stewart, Dehaven Owens, Elizabeth Ndungu, Alexandria Rosa, Laronzo Reed, Marc Hamm, Cheryl Blakeney, Hendrik Swanepoel, Colleen Posey, Cynthia Martin, Christina Ruffin, Satoria McDonald, Alicia Johnson, Larry Watts, Ian Robinson, Kimberly L. Fields, and Lissa Figgins.
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Robin M. Wilson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Robin M. Wilson is the founder and CEO of Robin Wilson Educational Consulting LLC, where she combines her research knowledge and professional experience to guide nonprofit organizations in developing effective strategies for serving youth, especially young girls and women. With more than 10 years of experience working on literacy initiatives and in the nonprofit sector, Robin has worked directly with people from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds locally and abroad. She has trained youth and adults to become leaders and responsible citizens. Robin is a compassionate leader with a passion for uplifting and inspiring young people to lead and thrive.
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