Today we’d like to introduce you to Terri McClain.
Hi Terri, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey began with a simple desire: I wanted to provide care services for my step-grandmother. I have always felt connected to older adults, and some of my most meaningful memories are of doing her hair, spending time with her, and enjoying those little moments together. I found joy in being there for her. That desire helped me recognize how many other people and families needed care, companionship, and a place where they could feel valued.
That is what led me to establish T&P Estates in 2018. I didn’t go to college for business. This started with something I loved doing, and I learned the responsibilities of running an assisted living/group home along the way. As I served more people, I began to understand the work to help into something people could depend on. There were decisions to make, relationships to build, and lessons I could only learn through experience.
Connecting with people and organizations throughout the community opened my eyes to how closely housing, care, and mental well-being are connected. A person may need somewhere to live, but they may also need companionship, help finding resources, or someone who notices when they are needing help. Seeing the need shaped the direction of my work.
Housing is also part of my story. I was blessed to have my own property management company and My husband and I connected through our shared love of real estate, and together we have continued growing our rental portfolio to serve Pittsvania county, Campbell county and Lynchburg city. We offer housing options to rent, for people seeking a place to live safety. I enjoy seeing a property become someone’s home and watching people settle in and take pride in the homes.
Through those relationships, we have also seen that living independently can sometimes mean living with loneliness or without a dependable support system. A visit or conversation may reveal that someone needs help getting to a doctor’s appointment, accessing medications, or connecting with community services. Through our outreach and community connections, we help people navigate those gaps. We respect their choices while remaining attentive to needs and helping them find support they are willing to receive.
That purpose carries into Talks with Terri, our nonprofit and podcast. I want to support people as they go through life and create space for conversations that can be difficult to have. We focus on mental health awareness, faith, grief, relationships, caregiving, and personal growth. So many people are carrying responsibilities while quietly facing challenges of their own. I want our conversations to help them feel seen and remind them that they do not have to figure everything out alone.
Solace Wellness Center gives people opportunities to connect in person. Through our monthly community luncheons and other gatherings, we bring people together to learn, share experiences, and build relationships. Our programs continues those opportunities, and we welcome anyone interested to reach out for event details. People do not have to live in one of our homes to participate.
We are also working to build a stronger network of volunteers, donors, and community partners. That has been one of the challenges of this journey. My husband and I have invested considerable time, resources, and heart into what we are building, and we welcome others who want to contribute. Someone may have time to help with a luncheon, a skill to share, or a willingness to offer companionship. Others may support our nonprofit through Givelify. Each contribution can help us continue creating opportunities for connection and support.
While doing this work, I have also been experiencing life myself. navigating loss, uncertainty, and the weight of leadership while growing as a person. There have been times when I was trying to be present for others while also needing space to process my own experiences. People depend on you as a leader, and learning how to carry that responsibility has changed me.
I knew I wanted to help people, but I didn’t realize how difficult this journey would become. My faith has been a steady foundation. I believe that with God guiding me, He would help me through each situation and obstacle. I am grateful for the wisdom He has given me, the opportunity to serve, and the people who have worked alongside us.
I have also learned that perseverance sometimes requires slowing down, asking for help, or making a different decision. I am learning to set boundaries and care for myself so I can continue serving with purpose. I haven’t done everything perfectly. I keep trying my best, learning from experience, and showing up.
What continues to bring me joy are those everyday moments that remind me of where I started: someone, Helping people and supporting my mother are part of my “why.” Through serving others, I found purpose, and that purpose continues to guide the work I do today. I have been blessed to serve many people, and I remain honored.
Being invited to share my story is an honor, too. I hope it encourages an entrepreneur learning as she goes, a parents carrying a heavy load, a caregiver who needs encouragement, or someone who feels like they are not loved. You can be growing, grieving, learning, and still have something meaningful to offer.
That is the heart of Talks with Terri and the work I do: helping people find connection and support while reminding them that they are not alone in their journey.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. I started with a heart for helping people, but I didn’t fully understand everything that would come with running a business. I didn’t go to school for business, so much of my learning happened through experience—making decisions, facing setbacks, asking questions, and figuring out what needed to change.
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing my desire to help with what we can realistically sustain. When you see someone who needs housing, care, or companionship, you want to respond. But helping people also requires resources, clear expectations, dependable support, and boundaries. I have had to learn that I cannot meet every need myself, even when I care deeply.
Building a consistent network of volunteers, donors, and community partners has also been difficult. My husband and I have invested a great deal of ourselves into this work. As it grows, we are learning how to communicate our purpose clearly and invite others to contribute in ways that help the work continue.
Another challenge has been recognizing that offering support does not always mean someone is ready to receive it. We can listen, provide options, and help connect people with resources, but we also have to respect their choices. That has taught me patience and the importance of honest conversations about what we can offer and what someone wants.
At the same time, I have been navigating my own life, including loss and the responsibilities of being a wife and a leader. There have been seasons when I felt exhausted but still had people depending on me. I am learning to ask for help, delegate, and make room for rest rather than carrying everything myself.
My faith has helped me through those seasons. I didn’t know how every obstacle would be resolved, but I trusted that God would give me wisdom for the next step. Sometimes that meant moving forward; other times, it meant slowing down, setting a boundary, or changing my approach.
I haven’t handled every situation perfectly, but I have been willing to learn and grow. Helping people and supporting my mother are part of my “why.” Through serving others, I found purpose, and remembering that purpose continues to help me persevere.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What makes our approach special is the way we bring housing, community connection, and personalized support together. People come to us with different experiences, abilities, and goals. We take time to understand what matters to them and help connect them with options that fit their circumstances.
I am especially proud of creating spaces where people can feel safe, respected, and at home. Through our housing, community luncheons, and conversations, we want people to experience a sense of belonging. Sometimes that begins with a place to live. Other times, it begins with someone listening or checking in on them.
I am proud that an idea for my family has grown into work that reaches others throughout the community. My husband and I are building something bigger than us and I am grateful for the people who contribute their time, skills, and compassion alongside us. Turning that vision into homes, workshops, and opportunities for connection has taken persistence and a willingness to keep learning.
I am also proud of using my voice through Talks with Terri to encourage conversations about mental health and the realities of everyday life. Being a leader does not mean having every answer. For me, it means being willing to listen, learn, take responsibility, and keep improving.
What’s next?
My plans for the future are centered on growing with intention. I want to strengthen the work we have started and sustain a network of people who share our desire to serve the community.
I am looking forward to growing Talks with Terri. Through the podcast, I want to connect with more people, welcome guests with different experiences, and continue honest conversations about mental health, faith, relationships, caregiving, and personal growth. My hope is that someone hears something encouraging and feels understood, or more comfortable reaching out for support.
I also look forward to expanding participation at Solace Wellness Center through our monthly community luncheons, workshops, and other gatherings. I want people to have a place where they can build relationships, learn something useful, and feel a sense of belonging. Building stronger partnerships with volunteers, donors, and local organizations will be an important part of that growth.
My husband and I plan to continue growing our real estate portfolio thoughtfully, creating more housing and work opportunities in the community. I also want to strengthen connections with care providers and community resources so people can more easily find support that fits their circumstances.
As a wellness advocate, I look forward to continuing conversations about everyday self-care and sharing my interest in doTERRA products and intentional wellness routines.
And personally, I am looking forward to growing as a wife, entrepreneur, and leader. I want to build a stronger relationships and create room to be present with my family while continuing to serve. I am learning that how we grow matters just as much as how much we grow.
I remain open to where God leads me. I do not have every step mapped out, but I have a clearer understanding of my purpose. What excites me most is the possibility of reaching someone we have not met yet to remind them that they are not alone.
Pricing:
- Housing: Room and suite rental rates vary by location, accommodations, and availability. Contact us for current pricing. * Care and support services: Pricing depends on the individual’s needs and the services requested. Housing and care costs are discussed separately. * Solace community events: Contact us for upcoming luncheons, workshops, and any event or membership fees. * doTERRA products: Contact me for current product pricing and ordering information. * Donations: Contributions to Talks with Terri are welcomed through Givelify to support our nonprofit’s community work.
- Care and support services: Pricing depends on the individual’s needs and the services requested. Housing and care costs are discussed separately.
- Solace community events: Contact us for upcoming luncheons, workshops, and any event or membership fees.
- doTERRA products: Contact me for current product pricing and ordering information.
- Donations: Contributions to Talks with Terri are welcomed through Givelify to support our nonprofit’s community work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://talkswithterri.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrsterri1?dlrf=YWU2dTRodTUxcnZ5&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: Solace https://www.facebook.com/share/19TVNKjhoA/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terri-mcclain-938a3462?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
- Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/share/1KB5mzEVFL/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: Shop Doterra referral.doterra.me/16420597
- Yelp: calendly.com/iamtalkswithterri/free-consultation
- Other: TalksWithTerri Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/1KrENREHCd/?mibextid=wwXIfr
