Meet Michelle Erica

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michelle Erica a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

In the fall of 2023, I began going through bins of artwork my children had created over the years, from their younger days to the present. I never wanted to part with any of it, so I stored it all in bins—tons of it. One day, as I looked through the artwork, I decided it was finally time to sell it. This decision was encouraged by many who had seen the girls’ work and admired their creativity, especially considering they hadn’t taken any formal lessons. After consulting with them, we decided to sell copies of some pieces and the originals of others. I created a website for MMMoore Twins & Co. to list the artwork for sale and to upload any new pieces they would create.

This quickly became my part-time job, and it was something I truly felt invested in and excited about. I loved working with the girls to come up with names for their pieces, set prices, and make other decisions. It was something fun, not forced. But as time passed, I realized I wanted to do more than just sell their art. I thought about opening the first Black children’s museum in Houston, but it didn’t ignite the same passion in me as selling the art. That’s when I knew it wasn’t the right path.

For years, I had been trying to figure out my purpose and had tried many things—podcasting, blogging—but none of them felt divinely inspired. I couldn’t focus enough to see them through. In March 2024, I lost my job, my only source of income. This was the ultimate turning point in my life. I entered a dark period, trying to juggle the weight of being a single mother, a breakup, strained family relationships, losing a toxic job, and managing bills as a homeowner. It felt like everything was collapsing around me. I had the world on my shoulders with no clear way to pick up the pieces. A friend often told me, “You’ll figure it out; you always do,” but this time I wasn’t so sure he was right. I was happy to be free from a toxic work environment, but I also carried the heavy burden of being the head of my household. I couldn’t afford to dwell on the loss—I had two kids to take care of.

Supporting my daughters, one with autism and the other with dyslexia, through their challenges instilled in me a deep sense of determination and resilience. Determined to rebuild, I decided I would no longer settle for anything in my life. I didn’t want to be in a position where someone else had the power to disrupt my livelihood. My kids are my world, and I had always managed to provide for them without letting them go without. That wasn’t going to change.

During this period of uncertainty, I turned to God. I realized that more than anything, I needed to work on my relationship with Him and get closer to Him again. I needed His guidance and light to get through the darkness I was facing. While I had therapy, I knew I needed more—I needed to give everything I was going through to God and let Him guide me. I trusted that if He brought me to it, He would see me through it.

With no job to return to, I focused on the art full-time, giving it my all. But I still sought confirmation from God about what He intended for me to do. I thought I wanted to own a museum, but deep down, I knew that wasn’t the answer. Then one night, at 3:34 AM, unable to sleep, I felt it was time to talk to God and share my feelings. He heard my prayer and, by 4:20 AM, I had written down my purpose and plan in the notes on my phone. That’s when ”The Artism Studio by MMMoore Twins & Co.” was born, and I knew it was exactly what God intended for me. It aligned with everything I had previously prayed for in my life.

Fully focusing on selling art and getting the studio off the ground has been challenging. I’ve lost friends, had people tell me it won’t work, faced doubt, and even gotten off track at times. But I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I know that God is guiding me on this journey, and creating “The Artism Studio” and working with children is exactly where He wants me to be.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I grew up in a small town in East Texas and as a little girl, I always loved fashion, art, and luxury. I used to say I would be a model or famous when I grew up—I just knew I was going to make something of myself. I even had my mom take me to modeling events that came to town, but I was denied participation. She knew they were scams, something I learned later in life, and I eventually gave up on that dream. Still wanting to pursue fashion, I attended the Art Institute in Dallas and majored in Fashion Design. After returning home and realizing I needed to spread my wings, I moved to Houston. I felt that the opportunities were endless, and I could do far more than I ever could back home. I may have been born and raised in the country, but I was a city girl at heart. Houston, with its fast pace and constant traffic, quickly became home, even though I had no plan other than to leave behind pastures and limited opportunities.

In 2014, I had twin girls and balanced the life of being a twin mom while obtaining a degree in Business. My life followed a routine of kids, work, and home—repeating the same cycle week after week. It wasn’t until 2021 that I realized I wanted more for myself and my daughters. I also knew that I wasn’t moving back home, so I set out to purchase our first house. As time went on, I navigated life’s ups and downs, and in 2024, I reached a pivotal point that led me to become an entrepreneur.

When I asked my children what people should know about me, they said, “You believe in God and try to go to church every Sunday”, “I want to be like you when I grow up”, and “You know how to do everything”.

Currently, I am focused on getting the studio up and running while trying to consistently upload new artwork to the website. I had no idea how much work it takes to be an entrepreneur, but I am dedicated and committed to seeing my dreams come true. Some people think I grew up with a silver spoon, but I’m a true hustler at heart. I believe in achieving things on my own without relying on my parents, and that makes the hard work feel so much more rewarding once I succeed. I’m enjoying the challenges and learning to work through them, all while keeping my faith in God, trusting that He will guide me—especially when I veer off track. My plate is very full. I’m a full-time mom, working towards my Bachelor’s degree, mentoring the startup of a clothing brand, and building my business from the ground up. At the moment, I do everything for the business, so it’s all work and no play. But I’ve learned to take breaks when needed and not rush the process. I love reminding myself, “The turtle won the race.”

One of the things I take pride in and love about MMMoore Twins & Co. is the inclusion of other children, which is where the “& Co.” comes from. I want to offer a space not only for my children but for all children to sell their artwork and receive full proceeds—or simply display it in the studio. I’m also proud of the name The Artism Studio, which is derived from the combination of “autism” and “art.” I believe all kids, regardless of their learning disabilities or special needs, should be included just as much as others. Having a daughter with autism makes this mission even more important to me.

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, the three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are caring, compassion, and integrity. These values guided me through every challenge I’ve faced. For anyone early in their journey, developing and improving on these qualities will be crucial in shaping not only your path but also the relationships you build along the way, as well as your growth as a leader.

I have a saying written on my mirror: “In order to follow your moral compass and heart, you have to make unpopular decisions or stand up for what you believe in. It’s difficult and frightening knowing that it can affect others.” This reminder has been my guide. Throughout my journey, I’ve had to make tough decisions—cutting ties with certain people, things, and places—because they no longer aligned with where I was headed or who I was growing into as an entrepreneur and follower of God. It was painful because some of those decisions impacted people I cared about deeply, but I knew it was necessary to become a better version of myself and focus on fulfilling my purpose. Compassion is important, but so is understanding that you can’t always put yourself last in the process.

Integrity has always been central to who I am. My father taught me to treat everyone with the same respect, regardless of their background. When I worked at my job, I treated the woman who cleaned our building with the same dignity and kindness I gave the president of the company. Integrity isn’t just about doing the right thing when people are watching, it’s about being consistent in how you treat others and staying true to your principles, even when it’s difficult. My mother instilled this in me through our travels and experiences, which exposed me to a world beyond my own and helped me develop empathy for others that weren’t as privileged. Growing up experiencing both extremes of life gave me a deep sense of compassion for those facing hardship. People often assumed I was spoiled, but my experiences shaped me into the self-made, driven person I am today. I’m grateful for the challenges because they taught me resilience, empathy, and the value of hard work. Everything I have is the result of my dedication, sacrifices, and determination.

For those just starting out, my advice is this: keep God first and stay close to Him—He will guide you every step of the way. Build your integrity by standing firm in your beliefs, even when it’s hard. Cultivate compassion by recognizing the struggles of others and treating everyone with respect. And remember, caring for yourself is just as important as caring for others. Balancing these values will help you grow into the person you’re meant to be, both personally and professionally.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

I was raised by both of my parents despite their divorce, but I’m a true daddy’s girl. I was truly blessed to have both of my parents present in my life, and their influence has been profound. Starting with my mom, she taught me the importance of strength and resilience. As a young adolescent, I often didn’t understand her decisions or her seemingly unshakeable demeanor. I never saw her vulnerability, which made me rebellious at times. However, as I grew into a woman and became a mother myself, my perception of her changed. I began to appreciate the sacrifices she made and the lessons she imparted about hard work, education, and perseverance. Her resilience in the face of challenges became a model for how I could navigate my own struggles. Her ability to push forward, despite difficulties, has impacted me by showing me that I, too, can rise above obstacles and remain strong.

My mom showed me that motherhood is challenging and complex. She navigated the demands of family, work, and life, all while trying to do her best. Her example taught me that it’s okay to be vulnerable and that processing emotions is part of growth. Today, I strive to share my own vulnerable moments with my daughters, showing them that it’s normal to experience both highs and lows in life. This has impacted me by helping me embrace my own vulnerability and has made me a more empathetic and open mother, something I value deeply. My mom’s support and encouragement, especially when she texted me, “I’m always so proud of you, you make all my dreams I missed come true,” have motivated me to pursue my dreams relentlessly. This has pushed me to believe in myself and work hard to create the life I desire, knowing I have her support.

As for my dad, he is my best friend and I admire the man he became, given his background. I often call him the GOAT because he embodies integrity and resilience. He faced many challenges without allowing them to compromise his values. His sacrifices ensured that my siblings and I were well taken care of, and he taught me the importance of compassion. My dad taught me to work hard, working two jobs at one point, to take care of his responsibilities. Despite his own difficult upbringing, he cared for my grandfather until the end, demonstrating selflessness and commitment to family. This has impacted me by showing me the power of unconditional love and the importance of standing by family no matter what. His strength and work ethic are traits I try to emulate every day in both my personal and professional life. His actions instilled in me a deep understanding of standing up for what is right and fighting for what I deserve. My grandmother and granny would be proud of who he is and how he raised his children despite every obstacle he has faced.

Together, my parents raised four children and ensured we all graduated high school and went to college. Their unwavering support and dedication shaped who I am today. I am incredibly grateful for their sacrifices, and one of my biggest goals is to give back and take care of them in every way I can. Their impact on my life has been immeasurable, shaping me into a person of resilience, compassion, and determination.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mmmooretwinsco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MMMooreTwinsCo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MMMooreTwinsCo

Image Credits

Grace Photography-Headshot