Meet Elle Cole | Author, Producer, and Caregiver Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elle Cole and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elle, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started my own business after I learned that I would be a caregiver for my daughter. I worked for an American corporation that did not have a lot of flexibility. I knew that as my daughter grew, I would need to be able to go to many doctor’s appointments as needed.

I figured if I could own my own business, I could provide income to help offset household expenses and healthcare needs. I also recognized that I needed to put money aside for retirement. I assessed my talents and experience and decided that becoming a professional writer would be a reasonable option.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Thirteen years ago, I quit my corporate job because my daughter was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease.

I didn’t want other families to be blind-sided by learning about sickle cell trait during an appointment. I am on a mission to educate young people, especially children and teenagers, so sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease will be on their radars. Putting more time and energy into making knowledge about sickle cell more inviting and easier to understand will help prevent some future occurrences of sickle cell disease.

Giving myself permission to take breaks and succeed at my own pace has been the best way to overcome challenges. First, I ask for help, which is in direct contrast to trying to figure everything out independently. Second, I take classes to help keep me on the pulse of the latest advances in my industry. Lastly, I openly share what I do and my products and books with others I meet. Word of mouth is still one of the best ways to widen your audience.

I want others to know Cleverly Changing is a brand that believes regardless of the obstacles parents of children with unique health challenges face, we can and will share hope and aspiration through our interactions and the goods we sell. I am living proof that advocacy and passion can be profitable.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came to Maryland for a week, I would take her to the Pearl Spa for a spa day because self-care is essential. Pearl spa offers a fresh scent of calm, relaxation, and peace. Massages, Manicures, Pedicures, and facials are all wonderful ways to pamper ourselves.

Next, I would engage her mind by taking her to the National African American Museum of History and Culture in Washington, DC. The Smithsonian has fascinating exhibits, and the museum restaurant has delectable food.

The next day we would catch a culturally inspiring show at the National Theater in DC.

Then we would explore the National Harbor in MD to shop and enjoy the Mahogany bookstore.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shout out the Sickle Cell Community Consortium because it helped me recognize that I could use my family’s experiences to help encourage others. Each year, I partner with this nonprofit organization to host a Caregiver Summit that connects, educates, and inspires families impacted by sickle cell disease. They helped me rethink how I can give back to make a difference in the lives of others.

Website: https://CleverlyChanging.com

Instagram: https://Instagram.com/CleverlyChanging

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellecole-100/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CleverlyChangin

Facebook: https://facebook.com/CleverlyChanging

Youtube: https://YouTube.com/CleverlyChanging

Other: VitaminSC3 Podcast – https://vitaminsc3.transistor.fm/episodes; Cleverly Changing Podcast – http://cleverlychanging.com/category/podcast/

Image Credits
I own the rights to all of the images shared. The family photo was taken by Chip Dizard and the Professional photo with me holding my book was taken by Crystale Vail-Spearman.