Meet Dr. Michelle Martin-Dowe

We recently connected with Dr. Michelle Martin-Dowe and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Michelle, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

My work ethic definitely comes from a lineage of hardworking family members. It starts with my paternal grandfather, who migrated to the British Virgin Islands and ran one of the first successful butcher shops for decades. His ability to establish and sustain a business for so long speaks volumes about his determination, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit.

That sense of resilience and perseverance clearly set a strong example in my family. His work ethic likely influenced not only his own children but also subsequent generations, encouraging them to approach life with a similar level of discipline and commitment. It’s something that gets passed down, shaping the way each of us approaches work, challenges, and opportunities.

I see the same drive in other members of my family as well. It’s like an unspoken standard set by my grandfather that continues to influence how we tackle goals and face adversity.

As I reflect I find it fascinating how values ripple through generations, creating a cycle of ambition, resilience, and drive. My mother also played a huge role in shaping my work ethic. She served in the military for 20 years, and I watched her get up at the crack of dawn, travel on numerous deployments, and work tirelessly to create a secure foundation for my sister and me. She did all of this out of sheer will and determination, driven by the desire to provide for her family and set a solid example. Her commitment to serving her country and ensuring our well-being taught me the value of hard work, sacrifice, and selflessness.

Her unwavering dedication and ability to balance the demands of her career while keeping our family grounded reinforced the importance of perseverance and discipline.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Thank you for the opportunity to share more about my journey and the work I’m currently focused on. I’m involved in three distinct yet interconnected businesses, all with the goal of providing comprehensive support to individuals and families in need of specialized care.

To my friends, you all know this story well, and I can’t help but laugh at how often we’ve joked about it. For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamed, manifested, and talked about these businesses – and yes, sometimes you all thought I was crazy! But deep down, something in me told me to take the risk, to believe in myself, and to go after these dreams. It wasn’t always easy, but I’m proud to say that those ideas have turned into real businesses that are making a tangible difference.

Therapy 2 Thrive was my first “baby,” and it started on an island where I have roots but no many personal ties. What truly tugs at my heart every day is how the community embraced my passion and my desire to give back to the territory. Believe it or not, I started out in my car, driving from school to school providing pro-bono services. Word spread, and soon I found myself subleasing a room for about two months. The growth of Therapy 2 Thrive was fast, but as it expanded, I quickly noticed that so many kids I was evaluating didn’t have access to other essential services. That’s when I realized there was an even bigger need.

During the challenging times of COVID and pregnancy, I took it upon myself to advocate, travel, and recruit the incredible team we have today. It wasn’t always smooth, and there were moments of doubt, but I’ve never let go of the vision. To my friends – thank you for believing in me even when I wasn’t sure how it would all come together. The journey has been a testament to the power of persistence and the belief that, no matter how big or impossible the dream may seem, taking the leap is always worth it.

The first is Therapy 2 Thrive, a mental health clinic that is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year. Our mission is to address every aspect of development, mental health, and autism. We’ve built a comprehensive team of mental health providers, including speech therapists, occupational therapists, developmental therapists, and trained medical professionals. Many of our team members are local, but we also have professionals who travel from abroad to provide top-tier care. We’re deeply committed to improving the well-being of our clients through a holistic approach that integrates all areas of mental health and development.

The second is Helping Hands Family Center, located on St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. This center initially started as a Mommy Clinic but quickly expanded into a full-service intervention center. We focus on every aspect of development from birth to adulthood. Over time, we have assembled a team of professionals that includes psychiatrists, nutritionists, and specialists in various fields to create a comprehensive team dedicated to supporting families through all stages of development.

Lastly, I also co-own Play 2 Thrive Intervention Services, also located on St. Thomas. This business specializes in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism. Our team works closely with children and their families to help improve behavior and enhance communication, social, and adaptive skills. ABA is a powerful tool for helping children with autism thrive in their everyday lives, and we are dedicated to providing this vital service to the community.

Together, these businesses represent my passion for improving lives and providing holistic, tailored care to individuals and families. I’m deeply committed to the work we do, and I’m always looking for new ways to expand and enhance the services we offer to support people in meaningful ways.

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?

Looking back, I can reflect on the three most impactful qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that shaped my journey, especially in moments where things seemed uncertain or heavy:

Resilience & Never Giving Up: One of the hardest moments in my journey was finishing my schooling and realizing that some people I held in high regard did not have my best intentions at heart. It crushed me for an extremely long time, and it felt like everything I believed in was shaken. However, through that pain, I found resilience. My father, though not aware of the weight of his words, told me, “Stop crying and figure it out. No man has control over your destiny, God has the last say.” That statement flipped a switch inside me. I stopped feeling defeated and began to dig deep within myself. From that moment, I knew that while life may throw curveballs, my ability to keep pushing forward was in my hands, and my ultimate destiny wasn’t defined by others.

Advice: When life hits hard, remember that resilience is about refusing to stay down. Take the lesson from your pain and transform it into strength. Keep moving forward, because your journey is yours to determine, and every setback is a setup for a comeback.

Focus & Finding Balance: No matter how focused you are on your goals, it’s just as important to find moments of balance and joy. My lowest point, when I felt betrayed by people I trusted, taught me that the pursuit of success shouldn’t overshadow your mental and emotional well-being. Life can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to become consumed by the pressure to “succeed.” But I’ve learned that finding a work-life balance and making time for things that bring joy and peace is crucial to sustaining your long-term journey.

Advice: Stay laser-focused on your goals, but always remember that life is a marathon, not a sprint. Make space for rest, fun, and personal time. You will perform better and sustain your journey if you allow yourself to be rejuvenated.

Faith & Trust in the Bigger Picture: After realizing that the people I trusted had their own agendas, I could have become bitter or lost my sense of direction. But my father’s words still echo in my heart: “God has the last say.” In those tough moments, I learned to let go of controlling every aspect of my journey and to trust that God has a bigger plan for me. That faith helped me through the most difficult times. Now, I look back and thank God every day for not allowing me to dwell in disappointment but instead giving me the strength to build from it.

Advice: When life doesn’t go as planned, or when others try to bring you down, trust in your path and in the bigger picture. Know that your journey is guided, and even when it feels like things are falling apart, there’s a divine plan unfolding. Keep your faith strong, and lean on it when you feel lost.

The advice I’d offer to anyone early in their journey is simple: Never give up, stay focused, and keep building. Don’t be afraid to find balance and enjoy the process, and remember, you are never alone—trust in your faith, and know that God has the last say. What others do to you doesn’t define you; how you rise from those moments does

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

The people who have been most helpful in helping me overcome challenges and build the essential skills, qualities, and knowledge I needed to be successful are definitely my parents, my supervisor Dr. Miller, and life itself.

My parents taught me resilience, confidence, and the importance of unwavering support. They’ve always been my pillars, guiding me through difficult moments and reminding me of my worth. Their belief in me helped me develop the inner strength to face life’s challenges with perseverance.

Dr. Miller, my supervisor, played a crucial role outside of just teaching me how to be a mental health professional. He helped me embrace my unique gift of relating to people and understanding business—two skills that aren’t often taught in college but are just as essential for success. His guidance showed me how to apply these skills in meaningful ways, which have been invaluable in my career and personal life.

I also believe that every experience in life has shaped and molded me into the person I am today. Whether they were challenges or successes, they all contributed to my growth and development. I am a firm believer that life itself, through both the highs and the lows, has been a teacher in its own right, helping me build the qualities that have allowed me to succeed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hhfcvi.com/
• Instagram: https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/business/helping-hands-family-center-guides-families-through-all-stages-of-development/article_ce66d27d-a906-5294-b66c-e711c4f8c70f.html