Conversations with Michelle Grafitti

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Grafitti.

Hi Michelle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
One thing I remember about myself as a little girl is I was full of life – I loved life, all the little things. I am one of 4 – 3 brothers, and me, the only girl. I am an Arizona native and grew up in a very loving household, but just like most households, we weren’t perfect by any means. We had our troubles, and we had our pain. I was sexually abused as a child which turned my whole world upside down, for many years after.

Most abuse is never forgotten, but if you put in the work and truly desire healing and wholeness, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that light came in several ways. I was married young and was blessed with 3 children, 2 older boys and a daughter with Down Syndrome. My children are my greatest accomplishment – still, to this day. My children are now 19, 15 and 13 and I can’t say enough about how proud I am of all of them. I was able to be a ‘stay at home mom’, which I will always be thankful for.

My sweet Preslie has endured 9 surgeries in her 13 years and the boys have been along for the whole ride – the ride that life hands us. In 2009 we had to file bankruptcy as the collapse of the economy, collapsed our construction business and we lost just about everything. During that time, we were also dealing with many health issues for my daughter and my husband so we were in dire need of help. Many people from our church and community came to our aid and really carried us through the next year! It was then we all decided that because of all these beautiful blessings of service, that we would spend our lives paying it forward in any way that we can.

Fast forward 9 years, a move, divorce, 2nd marriage and many other changes and our happy family, career and home sweet home all came to an abrupt end in 2018. We – myself and 3 kids were left jobless, and homeless. It happened to be one of the darkest moments of my life. Often times what we don’t realize is that the things we perceive as things we do not want, or cannot handle are often the most precious gifts God gives us – they help us evolve, they change our hearts, they enlighten our souls.

After I sorted through my grief, I took the opportunity of a blank canvas, a new chapter where I was in charge of my journey and destiny, so I combined all of my passions, experience, and hobbies into one and through life’s twists and turns, Miranda Girl Magazine was born!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The wonderful things in our life rarely come easy. My journey with Miranda Girl has been no exception. First and foremost, I had no training in the publication industry, so I had to teach myself everything with each, new step. I also had no capital to help me get going, so it was all on me, so I could only go as fast as my money would allow. It was a painful, long beginning, but looking back, it was beautiful. Its amazing what happens in our lives when we commit full to something positive, something good. I quickly learned that I had finally found my purpose. The magazine was growing, I had a mentor come forth and off to help me, I had advertising clients, so I could pay most of my bills and friends and family in my corner, cheering me on.

I was seeing the growth, the evolution of the magazine as well of myself and it was incredible. Then, March of 2020 hit and the years plans, goals and growth of the magazine disappeared as quickly as they came. I had to put the magazine on the back burner April of last year, and pursue something entirely different in the interim. Thankfully 2021 brought some reprieve and new blessings and now, we are not only up and running again, but I have 2 employees and we are thriving!!!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We are unlike any other magazine out there!!! I often refer to Miranda Girl as a magazine version of ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul”. My goal was to pay all the blessings I had received – forward, to give back, give faith, give hope, tell my story in hopes to help someone else come forward and share theirs. When we are raw and real with one another, our evolution becomes collective and not singular.

I know that when others had shared their ‘well this worked for me’ moments, it helped me realize that just because I might not have all the answers on how to heal, doesn’t mean that there isn’t a way to heal. We also have become a beacon of help for so many with all the charities that we are involved with and a bridge between collective groups and the general population. We host fundraisers and various drives monthly and focus on filling the needs of the community, especially those of the voiceless (addiction, depression, homelessness, battered women, special needs families, sex-trafficked victims, and so forth).

We have joined forces with GiGi’s playhouse, the Phoenix Dream Center, Short Creek Dream Center, The Charlotte Letter, Living Hope Cancer Foundation, Mama’s Army, Women of Purpose, and many more. Our goal is to spread light, love, faith and hope. We also started ‘The Love Revolution’ in July – a campaign to inspire others to spread kindness, pay it forward, commit random acts of kindness and be a source of love and light to a dark world.

We also host events before each issue is released to bring the community back together, to connect, learn from one another, network, lift up one another and instill a sense of unity instead of the division the world is facing in so many ways. We support only small businesses, entrepreneurs and locally owned businesses. We are different in so very many ways and we are proud of it!

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
We have learned so much along the way – but one of the biggest lessons, is simply faith over fear!! Fear is a powerful emotion – it can hold you back from great accomplishments, from great lessons, from great opportunities. Never let fear decide your fate! One step in faith can open doors to your wildest dreams. Fear is debilitating emotion – faith is a powerful decision!! When you move forward with faith, you not only perpetuate your success, but you inspire others to take that similar leap!!

Contact Info:

• Email: love@mirandagirlmagazine.com
• Website: www.mirandagirlmagazine.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/themirandagirl
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Themirandagirl
• Twitter: @MichelleGrafit1
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiATJMOlfK19e2oeCrXurEQ

Image Credits
Jam Sani Photography
Steven Fellheimer Photography
Olivia Murray Photography