Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Lee Evans.
Hi Michele, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
In 1998, I began making gift baskets for friends and family. The gift-giving trend, soon turned into a profitable business, with people calling for custom orders. My husband and I ran this business from my apartment in Washington, DC, often selling our wares from the trunk of his truck.
In 2006, I made a set of jewelry to wear to a military ball. People raved about the jewelry and began asking if I could make custom pieces. Wearable Art accessories were soon added to the gift baskets, and Mileeva Designs was born.
In 2017, I formed my non-profit, The F.A.A.B Foundation, Fighting Against Abuse & Bullying. This non-profit focuses on helping youth ward off the negative effects of bullying while helping parents and teachers identify the signs to better intervene. I wrote the book, R.O.A.R., Rude Opinions Aren’t Reality, which was published in 2018.
Also in 2018, I joined a collaboration book project to discuss my journey from “Employee to Entrepreneur”. Soon after, I decided to write my own book with six other women, detailing our traumatic ordeals with abuse, domestic violence, bullying, and attempted suicide. This book helped to launch my second company, MLE Enterprises, where I help others format, write, publish and market their own books.
In 2019, I entered the world of radio with my flagship show, Mileeva Speaks. After being a host at two other radio stations, in April of 2022, I took two weeks, working day and night to start my own radio station; Kutting Edge Radio Broadcasting (KERB).
The station boasts of being “The most diverse internet radio station on the globe” with over 17 music segments across genres, and has grown from five to nine broadcasters, and still adding to the roster. We have had over seven million visitors to the radio site in just eight months.
After only seven months in existence, KERB was nominated as Best Local Business by SLM (Support Local Music) and won this award on December 17, 2022.
KERB had three shows nominated for Best Local Radio Show, including my own, Mileeva Speaks, and one broadcaster nominated as Best Local Radio Host.
As I juggle being a creative jewelry designer, an author and author consultant, and CEO of a radio station, I also host two additional shows, Planet Rock and Smoothed Out Sundays.
My journey as an entrepreneur has been both challenging, and rewarding, exasperating, and exhilarating. I only look forward and upward from here.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
As with any business venture, one of my biggest struggles was finding my market, particularly with my jewelry business since it is widely saturated. It is the main reason why I focus on making pieces that are truly one-of-a-kind.
Finances have been an obstacle with concern to my radio station. There is quite a bit of expense involved and I am still working to find advertisers and sponsors to offset those costs and make the station profitable. As we build, grow, and make more waves, those sponsors will see the value in investing with us, and do so. Until then, we continue to invest in ourselves, as every entrepreneur must do in the beginning.
Time can be an entrepreneur’s best friend or worst enemy. In the two weeks, I built the radio station, I probably received three days of sleep and ate very little. The pressure to quickly build a home for the broadcasters I already had on board was my greatest motivation.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As the owner and jewelry artist of Mileeva Designs, I strive to make accessories that are unique and eclectic. I have been featured at The Houston Women’s Expo twice so far, and look to expand that opportunity to other markets such as Austin, Dallas, and Atlanta.
The great aspect of being a jewelry artist is that the only limit is your imagination. I enjoy taking time out of a busy day to close myself up in my studio with a cup of tea and music, to let my mind go and create.
With KERB, my art is music. Although do not create the music I broadcast, the art is recognizing what suits your audience and delivering it with finesse. My Friday show, Mileeva Speaks is a mix of talk and music. I have two segments, The Friday Drive which is the music segment, and The T.O.T.E, The Topic Of The Evening, where I discuss a broad range of topics feel are in need of attention. I also designed the radio station’s logo, and website.
Even with MLE Enterprises, my creativity is a firm staple. I help others tell their stories, design the covers for books, and even web landing pages and marketing materials.
No matter which business I focus on, and it’s always all of them, my artistic creativity is at the forefront.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I would like readers who have been hesitating to start the business they have been dreaming of, to do it. Now is the time to step out on faith and start building. Small steps can lead to big gains. There will be ups and downs, and days when you think it is impossible and want to quit. Don’t. Keep persevering and putting yourself out there.
My businesses are far from Fortune 500 companies, and I wouldn’t want them to be. I enjoy the proximity to my customers and clients that remaining small has given me. Whatever it is that you may desire, it is obtainable with hard work and a “keep at it” spirit.
Contact Info:
- Website: mle-enterprises.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micheleleeevans
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MileevaSpeaks
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheleleeevans
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/micheleleeevans
Image Credits:
Jeffrey Evans, Jefawn Evans, and Michele Lee Evans
