For Michelle Cardinal, the journey to entrepreneurship didn’t begin in a boardroom or a business incubator—it began in silence. Years of abuse and repression rendered her voiceless in more ways than one. But today, as the founder of Sing With Chelley, Cardinal stands as a vibrant force, using the healing power of song to help others unlock their voices—and their truth.
“I was silenced for so much of my life,” Cardinal shares. “But once I felt the power of speaking my own truth, there was no other option but to spread the good news.”
That “good news” has taken form in her multifaceted work as a vocal empowerment coach, life coach, event facilitator, and speaker. Her mission: to guide others in reclaiming their voices through singing—not for perfection, but for liberation.
From Rock Bottom to Resonance
The early days of Sing With Chelley were anything but harmonious. Cardinal made the bold decision to close her salon and go all-in on her calling—a move that led to financial instability, including bouts of homelessness.
“I was atop Mt. Shasta, living in my bus with my 3.5-year-old daughter, without enough money to buy gas or food. I almost gave up,” she recalls.
Haunted by imposter syndrome and skepticism from those who didn’t believe in the healing power of song, Cardinal leaned on something deeper: faith.
“It was truly God who kept whispering to my heart in the moments of stillness: ‘Keep going. I have a plan.’”
A Voice That Filled the Room
The turning point came during a yoga teacher training in Greece. Cardinal asked to lead a group of 35 in song. The result?
“Chills up and down every body in the room,” she says. “People wept. They thanked me for giving them permission to sing—even if they’d been told their whole lives to be quiet.”
The experience cemented her belief that singing isn’t about technical skill—it’s about soul.
“We don’t demonize birds for singing out of tune. We let them sing. That’s what I’m trying to bring back to people: permission to be heard.”
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Sing Through the Struggle
Cardinal’s message to those starting out is both pragmatic and poetic.
“Find a mentor. Get a job if you need to. And when things get hard—sing about it. Singing moves emotion and brings clarity.”
Her practical toolkit for avoiding burnout includes movement, nature, writing, breathwork, healthy food, and real human connection.
“If I let any of those slip, stress creeps in like a bad dream,” she notes. “Mindset is key.”
Looking Ahead: Global Voices, United
Cardinal’s vision for the future is as bold as it is beautiful: guiding entire stadiums of people into collective song.
“Our voices, united, hold the real power on this planet,” she says.
Her upcoming book, Being Too Much: Living Invitations For Your Inner Voice (releasing this August), is a guided journal designed to help readers shed the fear of self-expression and claim their vocal truth.
And the ultimate goal? A global chorus.
“I envision the entire globe singing their own soul song at the same time—snapping us out of the dream of separation.”
Connect with Michelle Cardinal
🌐 michellecardinal.com
🔗 LinkedIn
