Page 34 - May-June-July Life In Naples Magazine

WINTHNEERS
CIRCLE naples style
A ll stories deserve a happy ending and Michelle Kotarski’s
story is no exception. That is certainly where her story
is now but not where it once was. I met Michelle at
a Dress for Success event where she spoke to the attendees
about her life since connecting with this organization. She
was inspiring as she spoke about overcoming obstacles and
moving forward to the place she’s in now. Quick with a
genuine smile and a warm affect she captured the hearts
of the audience.That’s the Success part, but let’s go back
aways and see how she arrived at her “today.”
Michelle was the middle child in a family of three
siblings who grew up in Ohio and had a traditional
Midwestern upbringing. She states that she had good
parents and an uneventful childhood but that wasn’t
enough. The prevailing feeling during childhood and
as a young adult was depression and feeling lost. She
could not define where the sad feelings were coming
from but there was a sense of emptiness. Bright
scholastically she earned a bachelor’s degree in college
but still was not solid in her beliefs about herself nor
did she have a clear focus.
Somewhere along the way Michelle totally lost her
grounding and made poor decisions, which affected her
professionally and personally. She met a man that she
felt was right for her and intended to settle down, have a
family and live happily ever after. It was not expected when
she finally discovered that the dream man was actually a
nightmare. Feeling trapped and uncertain on how to leave
safely, she stayed in an abusive relationship “too long”. She
states that she was exploited financially and emotionally and
knew that she could not raise a child this way. It took some time
to make a plan, and gather the courage to leave safely with her
son. She made the break and has gotten her life back in order, but
it took time, determination, changed behaviors and focus.
Michelle moved to Naples at the encouragement of her father
in 2011. Not knowing how to reestablished herself she became
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by Sandra Lee Buxton
acquainted with Dress for Success where she received guidance,
and the tools for a fresh start. She took a small business
class provided by Goodwill of Southwest Florida
MicroEnterprise Institute. With the knowledge she
gained from her classes and the confidence to success
she started her own business Michelle’s Royal Cleaning
Service in 2013. She proudly participates in all
resources that are at her disposal and visits a
SCORE counselor for advice and ongoing
assistance. She is still being mentored by Dress
for Success and relies on their expertise. She
values her friends from church for not only
support but also guidance. Michelle has a very
adult perspective on her life; she owns her
errors but does not dwell on them, for that’s her
past. Today she feels happy and content and is
making a loving home for her four-year-old son
Sam and is independent in meeting their needs.
Her business has grown to the extent that she is now
looking for a business partner to expand further.
It’s fair to say that her active preschooler is her
first love and she looks forward to each day with
him. Sam is all boy, a beautiful child with eyes the
color of the pure Caribbean waters and the spirit of
a young colt. They love going to parks and the beach
together, Michelle and Sam share quiet time by
reading and she is also a proud Sunday school teacher.
Feeling blessed for the life she has, she is excited to
give back to others. To reach Michelle, email her at
royallycleaningnaples@gmail.com. We all know the
phrase “It’s not where you start but where you finish
that counts,” and this certainly applies to Michelle.
Winners overcome, they don’t give up, and they don’t
make excuses, they make a plan. We welcome Michelle
to the Winners Circle Naples Style, she’s earned it.
Life in Naples | May • June • July 2015