195 - Serving The Community With Heart with Michelle Reese-Wiseman of Wiseman Funeral Home and Chapel

Join us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The DMV Business Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Otto Sevilla⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as we share the journey of Michelle Reese-Wiseman, Owner and Principal Mortician of Wiseman Funeral Home and Chapel. Michelle shares her journey from growing up in Landover, MD, to becoming a master barber and eventually finding her calling in mortuary science, a profession she describes as truly a “calling” rather than just a career.

Michelle discusses what sets Wiseman Funeral Home apart as a full-service provider serving Maryland, DC, and Virginia, offering burial, cremation, and even international shipping of remains. She emphasizes the importance of preplanning for end-of-life services and forming relationships with local funeral professionals before a crisis occurs.

Listeners gain an inside look at what it takes to become a mortician, the challenging nature of mortuary school, and the critical qualities needed for the profession. Michelle shares her entrepreneurial journey, from the challenges of starting her own funeral home in 2008 and struggling to get just a handful of calls per month, to gradually growing the business through networking, referrals, and community involvement. She is candid about the ten-year timeline it took for her business to become steady and successful.

Michelle outlines the financial realities of the funeral industry, including costs, payment challenges families face, and the necessity of life insurance or savings for end-of-life expenses. The conversation also covers the significance of ethical service, strong reputation, and the importance of community outreach.

She opens up about her personal growth, the key role family plays in her business, and the importance of cash flow, persistence, and adaptability as a business owner. Michelle also talks about her biggest current challenge: finding experienced morticians, drawing a parallel to the nursing shortage in the healthcare field.

Looking ahead, Michelle is excited about the prospect of eventual retirement, traveling, and spending more time golfing. She leaves listeners with advice about resilience, expertise, and believing in yourself when pursuing entrepreneurship.

For those interested in learning more or connecting with Michelle, she invites them to visit the Wiseman Funeral Home website or reach out directly, highlighting her dedication to being a “friendly neighborhood mortician.”

This episode is packed with practical advice for aspiring business owners, a candid behind-the-scenes look at funeral service, and a testament to perseverance and community service.

This episode is brought to you by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEVI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - The first commercial real estate company committed to the four C’s: Commercial Real Estate, Community, Content, and Culture

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