As the founder of CJ's Cleaning, Michelle Etchells has a waiting list of clients and continues to expand her growing business. "It makes me feel good that I am responsible for my own company," Michelle says, "and to know that I will see it grow."

For Michelle the road to business success has not been an easy one. Michelle first came to CWE Rhode Island in October of 2002 eager to learn vital money management tools yet filled with fear of what lay before her. Overcoming substance abuse and a painful divorce, Michelle recalls, "I did not know how to pay bills or take care of anything at home."

Michelle's enrolled in Thrive, a program put on through the Institute for Poverty Awareness and Education and CWE Rhode Island, providing predominantly low-income women with the tools to become economic self-sufficient. IPAE is a poverty- focused agency located in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

For Michelle, the highlight of working with CWE Rhode Island was learning money management and budgeting skills from Betsy David, Entrepreneur-In-Residence, who facilitated Making Your Money Work™ a financial literacy course for women who want to start businesses. Now Michelle wants to share her successes in the program to encourage other women who may find themselves in similar situations.

"She took a huge risk signing up with CWE Rhode Island and getting involved with Thrive," said Betsy David. It was a risk well taken - not only does Michelle have a thriving business today, but she is able to be a role model for other women as well.