Meet Michelle Caudle

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michelle Caudle. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Michelle, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
Have you ever walked into a room and felt like the chatter and commotion completely stopped and everyone in the room turned their attention to you. Not because you’re a top model or movie star but because you are visibly different from everyone in the room. There is a very big distinction here… When you’re a model who is drop dead gorgeous, you know exactly why people are watching. A Hollywood star is used to heads turning for the obvious reasons. But when the reason the crowd turns is due of one’s differences, that’s a whole new narrative, one that comes with feeling self-conscious, self judgement and self-questioning.

You can imagine this is exactly how I felt, young and new to business, being a very eclectic looking, queer, woman-owned business in the arts, covered in tattoos with facial piercings, large ear gauges and neon colored hair, surrounded by a sea of suited businesspeople. Not only did I look different, not only was I woman, not only was I the youngest person in the room, I was a queer woman at that, something this type of group was not used to in the slightest.

I was lucky enough to have been raised by a super loving and openminded set of parents and they taught me to be confident in my own skin. They taught me that being absolutely myself, a genuine human, who at my core has a solid yearning for connection, is all I needed to be successful. That despite having a unique look, having a set of uncommon beliefs (in that specific environment anyway) and feeling somewhat out of place, through creating authentic connections, I have the ability to prosper in any environment.

So when I walked into this huge room of close knit, middle aged, suit and tie wearing, buttoned up entrepreneurs, and all of their seemingly judging eyes turned to me- an alternative looking, candy-apple-red pants wearing, hot pink and blue haired twenty-three year old artist, little did anyone know how the next few years would play out.

I held steady in finding the things I had in common with the people in the room, rather than cutting myself off to them because I felt self-conscious. Surprisingly, relationships flourished. I flourished. Their judging looks turned into curiosity and suddenly, I was finding friendships with everyone. Within the first year of putting myself out there in this group, I went from the shy and very obviously nervous speaker, to openly chatting with everyone and even giving presentations to the group. By the second year, I had become vice president, speaking in front of this group of peers week after week. By year three, I had become president, in the spotlight connecting with everyone in the room each morning we met, not only being the top representative to the people within this group but representing the group as a whole to the wider community of thousands. These people, who were all about double my age and that I once felt great imposter syndrome around, now looked to me as a leader.

There were two ways this story could have gone. The first route is that I could have let my insecurities completely override the situation and stayed the quiet “weird” girl that people judged behind closed doors. The second path was one of openness and genuine curiosity about two dissimilar life-walks coming together to understand one another. I was determined for the latter to prevail. Countless instances throughout my time with these peers I was told how proud they were, watching me flourish in the ways that I had. I found lifelong friendships in people who I’d never thought I’d have anything in common with. I think this surprised all of us.

This experience changed me in many ways. I no longer felt like my differences scared them away, in fact, I felt the curiosity of those differences brought us together in unexpected way. Yes, I even had a few people tell me they initially quietly judged me because my queerness (remember, most of these folks were boomers), and that through the relationship we’d forged, their minds and hearts opened to see people like me as no different to them. To be a catalyst in changing someone’s world view, that’s a pretty wild feeling.

This leads me to my main point… When all the fluff is taken away, when our diversities are set aside and preconceived judgements halted, how we connect with those around us, different or similar to ourselves, is what ultimately matters. This is how I grew into the individual and thriving businesswoman that I am today, and it’s been the foundation on which I built my business, Silver Moon Custom Art & Photography. Camaraderie, curiosity, compassion, community, these are all ways we flourish within ourselves and grow together as a society. Next time you feel intimidated, next time you feel imposter syndrome wiggle into your mindset, next time you feel in some way separate from those around you, ask yourself how you might bridge the gap. How can you presently come to the table to foster a deeper relationship with those around you? How might you set your ego aside to find things in common, despite feeling what obviously could set you apart? Ask yourself how you can make togetherness a priority- this is how you succeed.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As the owner and lead photographer of Silver Moon Custom Art & Photography, my main passion is giving folks imagery to look back on for a lifetime. My passion is photographing people. There is nothing more fulfilling for my heart than being told a memory I captured has become some of their most prized treasures. For instance, when a recent bride called just to tell me that her dad had passed away from cancer and now the photographs of her first dance at her wedding mean more to her than she could have ever known. This is what my job is all about, understanding that we can only live each moment one single time in this life and having them to look back on keeps those moments and memories alive.

I thrive photographing weddings & large events. I love connecting with families during portrait sessions, headshots, a child’s milestone… My job centers around creating relationships with those I photograph and that’s why this is the foundation of my business. It’s my goal to be your photographer for life, whether you child has a Bat Mitzvah, you’re getting married or simply need to update your corporate headshot, I want my clients to think of Silver Moon Custom Art & Photography.

One of the ways my company gives back to the community is through service, specifically photographing The Affirmations Project participants, a non-profit that serves women who have overcome the trauma of a cancer diagnosis or survived domestic violence. I have served as the Vice President of this non-profit for the past seven years, since its inception. Through community support, we have created a sisterhood for those in these situations, offering emotional and financial support to those who feel burdened from these hardships. Adriana Pabon, the founder of The Affirmations Project, is a survivor of both cancer and domestic violence and brought her vision to life, helping other women in similar situations not only survive but thrive after overcoming them. Our goal is to promote self-love, self-acceptance and to empower women to stop self-deprecation and to restore self-love. We want to inspire women to reaffirm their true value, and to look at themselves and see beauty, despite the scars that might mark their bodies. Each year, we host a gala where a gallery of Survivors is displayed. Women who have been body painted in a word of Affirmation, the word epitomizing what got them through the toughest fight of their lives. Please visit www.TheAffirmationsProject.com to donate and become involved. Our gala is coming up on September 14th, 2024, in tampa Florida and we’d love to see you there! Tickets available through our website.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Relationships- My ability to genuinely connect with others and find ways to help one another along the journey. You don’t get anywhere alone. Creating relationships with no expectation of receiving in return. Genuinely wanting others to succeed.

Having resilience- pushing on, even when things got extremely tough or felt helpless. Letting my passion drive me and trusting myself that I had the knowledge and courage to get through.

Follow your instincts- I wish I’d have learned this earlier- in business and in life. Your gut has something to say! Listen when it tell you something, it’s usually right, or at least offers some guidance.

Don’t get discouraged easily! Life is a journey and any failures you you might encounter along the way help create character and build resilience. Take each lesson that lives gives you and actually learn from it.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
My parents and family has shaped me into the person that I am today. Between them all I have learned about openness, creativity, passion, compassion, motivation… They’ve literally taught me everything about how to successfully live in this world. But the lessons that stand out above them all come from my father… he says “life is only about 2 things, love and forgiveness”. You don’t get far with hate or resentment in your heart. Forgiveness is for YOU. Show all our fellow humans love in all the ways you can, you never know what someone is going through and how one small gesture can change the course of someones life.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Silver Moon Custom Art & Photography

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