An Inspired Chat with Mary Wells of Cleveland

Mary Wells shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Mary, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
It all began with a question from a fellow teacher who looked me in the eye and said, “When are you going to write The Classroom Management Playbook?”

That question didn’t just stay with me — it challenged me. As a teacher, I’ve experienced firsthand how overwhelming classroom management can be, especially when you’re trying to lead with both structure and heart. I knew what was missing: a system grounded in peace, purpose, and practical tools.

What I’m most proud of building — that many don’t see behind the scenes — is The SOAR System™ Classroom Management Playbook & Toolkit. It’s not just a resource; it’s a reflection of everything I’ve learned, lived, and led through. It helps educators feel supported before Day One and stay encouraged all year long.

The process of creating it required countless hours of reflection, and revision — but the joy comes from knowing it’s now in the hands of teachers who are leading their classrooms with more clarity, care, and confidence. That’s the kind of impact that doesn’t always make headlines, but it changes everything for the ones who need it most.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! My name is Mary Wells — I’m an Educator, Encourager, Author, and Founder of One Word Encourage LLC, also known as The Encouragement Resource (The ER™).

What I do is simple but powerful: tools, resources, and outreach that help people thrive through whatever they’re facing — whether they’re a teacher trying to manage a classroom, someone walking through a season of struggle, or a person supporting a loved one and not sure what to say or do.

What makes One Word Encourage LLC unique is that it’s built on the power of just one word. I believe one word — the right word — spoken or shared at the right time, can change the course of a day, a mindset, or even a life.

From our SOAR System™ Classroom Management Playbook & Toolkit to weekly encouragement offerings and digital resources rooted in Kingdom peace, everything created is grounded in encouragement, purpose, and practical support.

Right now, the focus is on expanding our reach through speaking engagements, corporate partnerships, and continued outreach. The mission is simple: offer peace, speak life, and make sure no one feels alone in what they’re going through.

Encouragement isn’t a nice idea — it’s a necessary resource. And I’m committed to making it accessible, real, and deeply felt.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I was just 10 years old when I created my own garden — not just a small patch of vegetables, but something that truly exceeded the expectations of my family and neighbors. I planned it, nurtured it, and watched it flourish.

Before there was anything like today’s “Market Day,” I went door to door in my neighborhood selling fresh vegetables straight from my garden. No flyers, no ads — just me, my produce, and a vision I didn’t even know I had at the time. My neighbors supported me, and I kept going.

Looking back, I now realize I was an entrepreneur and a businesswoman even then. That garden wasn’t just about vegetables — it was about ownership, creativity, and the confidence that comes from seeing your ideas grow into something meaningful.

It was the first time I felt powerful because I created something of value and shared it with others. That same spirit still drives the work I do today.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me something success never did: that everyone suffers — and that struggle doesn’t mean weakness, it means strength in motion.

During my own journey through a Breast Cancer diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately thriving again, I discovered that struggle is often the birthplace of purpose. The pain wasn’t just physical — it was spiritual, emotional, and deeply personal. But it also shaped me in a way that success never could.

Through that season, I learned to lean into God’s promises — that we are more than conquerors, that we are overcomers. The encouragement spoken to me by others, the quiet strength I had to find, and the ways I grew in the dark all became the foundation for One Word Encourage LLC.

The struggle became a seed. And what grew from it was something rooted in resilience, faith, and the call to help others thrive — not just survive. That’s something success alone could never have taught me.

Today, through The ER™ – The Encouragement Resource, I get to do for others what was once done for me — offer hope, speak life, and remind people that their struggle has purpose, too.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say that I take my work seriously — not just because I’m committed, but because I see it as part of my God-given purpose.

They’d tell you I’m a great listener, someone who shows up with encouragement, prayer, and genuine care — whether it’s for a student, a friend, or a stranger going through something hard. I love my family deeply and stay connected to the people who matter most.

They’d also probably say I need to take more downtime for myself — because I give a lot and sometimes forget to pause. But even in that, it’s because I care so much about helping others thrive.

At the heart of it all, what matters to me is living a life of purpose, walking in love, and making sure the people around me feel seen, supported, and strengthened.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes — and I do, every single day.

I’ve learned to give my absolute best even when no one sees it, celebrates it, or acknowledges it — because I know the Lord sees everything I do. My work, my assignments, my service — it’s all unto Him, not man.

I’ve committed to working with all my heart, yielding to His direction, and placing our relationship first. That alignment shapes how I show up in every area of my life — as an educator, encourager, and entrepreneur.

I’ve also come to understand something vital: God is the source, and people are the resource. Everything flows from Him. So whether I’m praised or not, I give my best because I’m accountable to the Lord who gave the purpose and assignments in the first place.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.onewordencourage.com
• Linkedin: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/mary-wells-1a172b45/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/One-Word-Encourage/100071602551580/
• Other: https://www.alignable.com/cleveland-oh/one-word-encourage-llc-2?user=11225792