From Handcuffs to Hope: Pain to Purpose

The Beginning

Sometimes, the smallest moments bring the biggest realizations. For me, it was catching my own reflection and truly seeing how much I had survived. My story began with childhood trauma, sexual abuse, and rape as a teen—Domestic Violence in my first marriage, struggles that could have broken me. I spent my youth repeatedly in juvenile detention, facing dangerous situations that could have ended my story.

By 18, I found myself in prison—my first plane ride was in shackles after leaving Brooklyn and then being apprehended as a fugitive in Cleveland. But those experiences didn’t define me. 

In 2005, when I was 26, my dad suffered an injury that hospitalized him, and just three days later, we learned he had stage 4 cancer. I was in disbelief, it didn't even seem real. While he was in the hospital, I ran the business, took care of my new baby and when he passed away a month later, I was heartbroken, my daddy was gone. With a new baby, grieving my father and trying to navigate life without him, I inherited Art & Sign Corporation—the small sign business he had started from our home to support our family when i was 5 years old. From sign installations to pinstriping planes, I was always by my dad’s side, learning the craft that would shape my future. What started as a family sign business has now evolved into a full-service creative studio, offering both professional signage and event photography. Today, I’m honored to continue his legacy while expanding our services to capture and create lasting memories.

A little family history,

My grandfather, James Martin Triggs, was a renowned illustrator and engraver. He worked for Sturm, Ruger & Co. for many years, creating detailed technical drawings of firearms. His passion for art and mechanics led him to illustrate aviation books and contribute to various publications. His artistic legacy has been a significant inspiration in my own creative journey.

My father, born in New York in 1945, spent his early years in Queens, NY, where he learned from some of the best pool sharks how to shoot and win. Eventually, he moved from New York to Washington, DC, and soon after, I was born in Maryland. Later, he and my mother settled in Virginia.

A natural hustler, my father had many trades—he was a gun dealer, car flipper, poker player, and sign maker. His main trade, however, was sign making, a skill he turned into a family business. I can't even begin to tell you how much m father taught me. My mother worked alongside him for years as well, helping to build and grow the business. 

Carrying on the Legacy

Art, drawing, and poetry became my escape, my expression, and eventually, my business. After my father’s passing, I had to quickly learn the ropes of running a company—through a lot of trial and error. I knew how to letter signs from growing up in the business, but I knew nothing about actually running it. Despite the challenges, I embraced the responsibility and committed myself to growing the business and still missing my father. along the way.

Today, I am teaching my own children the trade, ensuring they have a backup plan and a skill set they can rely on if they ever need it.

With a four-month-old baby and still new to motherhood, I took on the challenge of running the business. Over the past 20 years, I have grown tremendously in my profession. In 2016, I reignited my passion for photography, blending it with my sign-making expertise to create what is now Tara Michele Photography & Custom Signs.

Life Today

As a divorced mother of four, family is at the heart of everything I do. When I’m not working, I find joy in spending time with my kids, drawing, writing poetry, and seeking out new adventures. Fitness is an important part of my life—I love roller skating and staying active outdoors.

My journey as a special needs parent has given me a unique perspective on life. In 2012, I founded ThisAbility, a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for and supporting individuals with disabilities. This work is deeply personal and fuels my passion for making a real difference in the community. I am currently enrolled in a Certified Nonproft Professional Certification Course.

I have also started a new business, ThisAbility Community Engagement, which will officially open in early 2025. This new initiative will expand the work I do, providing community-based services to individuals with disabilities and their families, helping them access resources, build connections, and thrive. This will allow me to generate additional income for my family and to support ThisABILITY non profit.

Transformation & Purpose

I’ve learned that our deepest pain often holds the key to our greatest purpose. Every challenge I faced became a stepping stone to the person I am today—a business owner, nonprofit leader, speaker, mentor, and now, an author. Through my growth has come a lot of self reflection.

Healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey of choosing yourself, over and over again.

The Mission

My story isn’t just about overcoming struggles—it’s about the choice to keep going. It’s about showing every person fighting their own silent battles that they are not alone.

If I could rewrite my future, so can you.

Your past is just background noise—you hold the pen to your own story.

Writing My Story

I am currently writing my first book, sharing my journey of transformation, and purpose. Through my story, I hope to inspire others to break through their struggles and take control of their own narratives.

Mentorship for At Risk Youth (In Partnership with Metro Community Ministries, Inc.)

2025: At Tara Michele Photography & Custom Signs, I believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their potential—no matter their past. Having faced my own struggles, I know firsthand what it feels like to be lost, to need guidance—even when I didn’t want it. But I also know how powerful it is to have someone believe in you. There were people who planted seeds in me that grew over the years, and now, I want to do the same.

That’s why I’m passionate about mentoring at-risk youth, providing them with hands-on training in photography, design, and business. I want to help young individuals find their talents, develop valuable skills, and build confidence in themselves. Whether it's through learning a trade, exploring creative outlets, or gaining entrepreneurial insight, my goal is to empower them to create a future they’re proud of.

I want every young person I work with to know: Your past does not define you—you are capable of so much more than you realize.

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